Your latest film seemed to be a family affair - is there film making in your background? When did you begin?
 
Actually I am the first in my family to be involved with film, like most filmmakers I've loved movies ever since I was a kid. My family does play a major part due to their neverending support during the filmmaking process. I decided to produce films in 2003 and started by saving my money for about a year. I became self taught and studied film from books at the library and bookstores. I made my first purchase of a camera and small lighting kit shortly thereafter and I practiced my lighting techniques on my girlfriend, who was going through graduate school at the time, while she studied. I practiced cinematography by pausing inspirational DVDs on a scene to mimic the lighting technique and shot angle used. I also went as far as becoming a film extra to take notes on how large productions lit their films and to see what their production process was to get a better understanding of the methods used.
 
You seem very good at comedy - I loved Stone & Green in An-o-nym-ity - do you think you will tend to go that way or do you have ambitions to try other genres?
 
Thank you, I like to add a little comedy. I want the audience to truly enjoy themselves; I feel that adding a touch of comedy seems to help. I like to think I am very versatile; I would take on any genre if the story appealed to me.
 
Who would you say are your influences as a director? What are your favourite films?  What current films do you like?
 
My top influences would have to be Steven Spielberg, Tony Scott, Michael Bay, and George Lucas. Honestly almost any movie I have seen I have been able to pull something from it and find inspiration. So far my favorite films are the Star Wars Trilogy, The Indiana Jones series, Minority Report, Crimson Tide, Bad Boys, and a short film by Tony Scott made for BMW titled "Beat the Devil". My most current favorites would have to be the Incredibles, the Aviator, and A Good Woman, a hilarious film which just showcased at the Bradford Film Festival.
 
The acting was top-notch in An-o-nym-ity - are they friends and do you tend to use the same people? Some of the interplay between Randy Tobin and Joel Bryant looked almost improvised.
 
I first met Joel and Randy on a previous project I did, ROOM 214, and noticed they had a great chemistry and decided to take advantage of it. I actually wrote their parts in Anonymity specifically for them. While I met Greg, Natasha, and Nicole through a normal casting call. As of right now, I do not have immediate intentions of working with them again, but if they fit a part... of course I would work with them.
 
A lot of what Randy and Joel did during the film was improv. I wrote out the dialogue and created a joke for them to work around and let them work together to create something all on their own.
 
I believe you have 2 films in production - can you tell us about them?
 
The latest film, which has already been shot and is in post-production, is titled The Greatest Intergalactic Saga of All Time, written by Wayne Nakai. It has to do with the rivalry between Star Wars fans and Star Trek fans pursuing the ultimate question as to which saga is greater.
 
The second film is one I'm currently writing titled Detective Chronicles: A Jazz Affair. It is set against a background as a futuristic 1940's film noir and tells the story about a private detective, his lost love, and the mob.
 
I was impressed by the music in your films - who did that?
 
Some of the songs I wrote myself. I also used Sonic Fire Pro 3 and Apple Soundtrack to create the other songs.
 
Any plans to show the film anywhere else in Europe?
 
Hopefully...we are still waiting to hear back from a couple more festivals!
 
$15000 is very impressive as a budget for a feature length action film - any tips for young film makers starting out without any money? Do you think it's easier in a film-obsessed place like California?
 
My only advice would be to think outside the box. If you can't find a helicopter, use a car...can't find a car, put them on foot. Don't worry about budget... do with what you have. It's ok to make mistakes and remember it takes a lot to make a good picture. A good film always starts with a good story but it never ends there, you'll only be as good as your weakest link. Films are tough to make wherever you are, I think all filmmakers out there have the same problems just at different levels.