Earlier this week, we spoke with the filmmakers of this year’s Crazy8s films. Now it’s time to highlight a few of the actors involved. Joining us for a discussion about their on-set experiences are Danny Mac (Evan in Patrick Currie’s film, Meet Cute), Kacey Rohl (Abigail in Shannon Kohli’s film, A Family of Ghosts), Chris Wilson (Alex in Matthew Campbell’s film Grocery Store Action Movie), Alex Duncan (Vivian in Joel Ashton McCarthy’s film, I Love You So Much It’s Killing Them), Christina Sicoli (Ellie in Shauna Johannesen’s film, Trying) and Katharine Isabelle (Anna in Jesse Lupini’s film, Iteration 1).

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Can you start by telling us a little bit about you and the Crazy8s film you are acting in?

Danny Mac: I’m an actor and writer originally from Edmonton. I moved to Vancouver in 2011 where I’ve been working on a variety of projects from writing for TV and video games to producing my own feature film. The first gig I ever booked here was for a Crazy8s production, a quirky film called Stewing, written by Patrick Currie. Now, four years later, I’m starring in his second Crazy8s production, Meet Cute, playing the romantically-conflicted lead, Evan. The film keeps a light, comedic tone throughout while questioning the need for labels in the LGBT community. It’s a wonderful script that attracted a really talented group of filmmakers.

Kacey Rohl: I’m a local film & TV actor. This year I’m a part of a film called A Family of Ghosts. I’ve worked with Shannon Kohli a couple of times in the past and when she asked me to be a part of her Crazy8s film, I jumped at the chance. I’m a big fan of hers.

Christina Sicoli: I’m an award winning actress, writer, character-driven comedienne and co-owner of Rare Little Bird Pictures Inc. I’m acting in Trying, a rom-com about a couple in their mid-thirties who’ve been trying to get pregnant for over a year with no luck. While they endure fertility clinics and injections, they are surrounded by friends who seem to be popping out babies like no tomorrow. Sex isn’t just sex any more – it’s scheduling their encounters while losing a sense of their fun-loving relationship. They need to come to terms with what they really want and accept the circumstances given. In turn, be open to the possibilities that lie ahead.

Chris Wilson: The film is about a man in the check-out line at a grocery store who realizes he’s forgotten an item and has to rush back to get it. The stakes are high, because he and his girlfriend are throwing a dinner party in a half hour.

Alex Duncan: I was born and raised in Vancouver, B.C. I studied theatre at Bishop’s University and Circle in the Square. I love walking my dogs in the forest and am particularly passionate about yam burritos. The Crazy8s film I am acting in is about the drastic things we do for love.

Katharine Isabelle: I’m Katharine Isabelle, born and raised BC filmy.

Recommended Reading You Can Act On Camera Click a cover for more details The Art of Voice Acting Secrets of Screen Acting

What kinds of preparation did you do to get into the role?

Danny Mac: Early on, I did my usual prep work – finding personal similarities between myself and my character, trying to bring truth to any of Evan’s experiences that were foreign to my own, etc. I was also able to get a hold of the full script before my audition, which was a great help in finding how to justify Evan’s internal struggle. He changed as I studied him, his voice eventually becoming equal parts neurotic and sweet. Leading up to production, our co-writer/director, Patrick Currie and I had dozens of conversations about the character that I found very useful, right up until we shot the last scene. It was refreshing as an actor to have the inspiration for the character so readily available for backstory or motivational clarity, while simultaneously being given the freedom to make him my own. The result is a character with a degree of depth that one might hope to meet in a feature-length film, but in an 15-minute short.

Kacey Rohl: I always try to approach anything I do from as truthful a place as I can. It’s a period film, so I spent some time thinking about how young women fit in to society at that time and what was expected of them. How if I, at that time, was part of a slightly more liberal generation, I would feel some frustrations… And I think love and heartbreak are pretty timeless themes, so those came free of too many historical trappings for me.

Christina Sicoli: Some of my closest friends in their 30s have shared their experiences with me. The successes, the heartbreaks, whether it be miscarriage, stillbirth, or the fertility route. I examined my own life, being in a place where having a baby is the next step but naively thinking I have all the time in the world (often forgetting that no matter how healthy, energetic and youthful I feel…my eggs may not feel the same). A lot of factors and thoughts come into play, so taking any fear or hesitation and accessing those emotions with other’s experiences helped me.

Chris Wilson: I wrote it (with comedy partner Peter Carlone), so there wasn’t much needed in the way of acting preparation, because I knew the tone and what the character wanted and needed. But what we did have to do was practice and choreograph all the fight scenes that are in the film. We practiced for several hours the day before shooting, coming up with a routine and moves that would look good with the stunt coordinator. Lots of fun, and work I hadn’t really done before.

Alex Duncan: I watched American Psycho (because I instantly thought of Christian Bale’s character after reading the script) and watched some interviews online. I tried to put myself in Vivian’s shoes as much as possible, thinking of times in my life where love has driven me to madness. Working on Vivian felt like an opportunity to really sink into any intense or dark thought that I have ever had surrounding love, lust or relationships and just go to the most extreme depths.

Katharine Isabelle: The film Iteration 1 is an exercise in the existential. It’s a short film exploring the futility of existence and the human experience while displaying the roller coaster of life and emotions that make this futile human existence worth it after all. I think… ?

Preparations for the film on my end were brief and limited to a quick chat and a stunt rehearsal. I like it that way. The experience this character goes through is not something you need to overthink. It just needs to happen to you.

What was the most memorable moment for you in this production?

Danny Mac: There were a few. Watching the extras get wrapped on the first day of production stands out. To me, it cemented how special the script was, to see 50 or so people give up their weekend for the project, especially seeing as how the Crazy8s’ process is a true labour of love beyond what conventional filmmaking already is.

That same day, our Meet Cute mentor, Amanda Tapping, showed up on set, and the energy she brought with her touched the entire cast and crew. I had worked with Amanda last summer and was delighted to hear she would be overseeing this film. She’s a born leader who offered seasoned advice, while never overshadowing a single aspect of the shoot.

My third memory, and perhaps the one I’ll remember most vividly, was when I got a back rub from Patrick for 5 minutes.

Kacey Rohl: Galloping through the rain — shout out to Jerry the most wonderful horse — while wearing a floor length cape was one for the books… Also, when my skirt dropped to the ground out of nowhere and was absolutely caught on camera! We’ll see if that sweet clip rolls out after the credits…

Christina Sicoli: Walking away and thinking “Damn! Look what accomplished in 3 days!” Being surrounded by such a talented group of people (cast and crew) made it easy to work and play. Everyone brought their A-game and watching Shauna Johannesen in her element and see her project come to life put a smile on my face. Everyone comes together to make the best possible product in a short amount of time because they believe in it and that’s what’s amazing. This is what excites me! And the “car scene.” It’s surprising how stiff one’s entire body can be from a “sex scene” in a car!

Chris Wilson: Probably watching my stunt double push a shopping cart down the aisle, jump into it, crash into a shopping cart that was blocking the aisle, and jumping over it. All on purpose.

Alex Duncan: The bathtub scene. I’ve never done anything like that before! There were so many moving parts.

Katharine Isabelle: What I found memorable was the crew – all young, fresh film students, incredibly enthusiastic. Really worked together as best they could toward a common goal we can all be proud of. Hopefully they all stay that way. Hahaha.

What would your advice be for actors who become part of a Crazy8s film in the future?

Danny Mac: The same advice I would give to any actor on any set: don’t forget that it’s an honour to be there in any capacity. And what’s especially unique to Crazy8s is that everyone is there because they want to be. Nobody’s paying rent off their Crazy8s shoot. That means that everyone around you will be passionate. Find a way to absorb some of that passion and emit as much as you can too. Be flexible, be helpful, be happy you’re exhausted.

Kacey Rohl: I’d say do your best to be of service to the director. Know that this is a fast process, but there aren’t a ton of people to move all the pieces of the machine around, so be patient. Show up ready to do your best. Bring a book. Bring a warm jacket. Be kind.

Christina Sicoli: There’s not a lot of time, so do the work, come prepared, let it go and PLAY!

Chris Wilson: Do as much personal preparation beforehand, whatever that means to you – to deliver when the cameras are rolling. There’s just not a lot of time to do lots of takes and take your time with shooting it. Which is great.

Alex Duncan: When my agent initially sent me this script, I felt like it was a stretch and questioned whether I was right for the part. My instinct was that if I was going to be believable for the part, I had to be pretty still, grounded and stark – somewhere between Wednesday Adams and Jeffrey Dahmer with a quirky twist. I made a choice that felt appropriate for me and stuck to it and it ended up being what Joel was looking for! So, my advice: make a strong choice and stick to it; don’t do what you think they want, do what feels right for you.

Katharine Isabelle: Advice to future Crazy 8s actors would be do it. It’s a great adventure. And bring sandwiches. Also don’t show up to the screening an entire week early like I did.

What’s the valuable lesson you’ve learned in your career thus far?

Danny Mac: Collaborate and play nice with other people. They’ll make up 100% of who you work with.

Kacey Rohl: Cultivate gratitude. Avoid comparison. Being early is being on time. Self-care is your best friend. Don’t be afraid to call yourself an artist. Ask questions if you don’t know something.

Christina Sicoli: Creating original material. It keeps me sane and allows me to have control over my career. Having many projects on the back burner so there’s always something “cooking” is valuable to me. Being an “individual,” really embracing my own unique gifts and talents. I can’t trade myself in for anyone else so focusing on my strengths and weaknesses makes me more in tune to what I need in a certain moment or time. Play. Saying “Yes” will open doors. Saying “No” will often save your sanity. Focus on the work, and do it because you’re passionate about it. Buy some shoes along the way, for your “character’s” sake, of course!

Chris Wilson: As a writer, the final part of the writing process is in the editing room. So be there for it.  You’re rewriting constantly, and making endless tweaks.

Alex Duncan: Work hard and stay humble.

Katharine Isabelle: Always make friends with the teamsters. And stealing socks and underwear from set is perfectly acceptable.

What books have been important for you as an actor so far in your career?

Danny Mac: I enjoyed How to Stop Acting by Harold Guskin, but I really found The Audition Bible: Secrets Every Actor Needs To Know by Holly Powell to be the most informative thing I’ve read. It’s just packed with invaluable tips for being more comfortable with your choices in the room (especially if you live in your own head too much like me).

Kacey Rohl: The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion, The Waves, and I’ve been meaning to get back to The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron.

Christina Sicoli: An Improvised Life by Alan Arkin, biographies of actors, musicians, designers, Where Did I Go Right? by Bernie Brillstein, The Power of the Actor by Ivana Chubbuck, Respect for the Actor / A Challenge for the Actor by Uta Hagan, Bunny Bunny by Gilda Radner, plays (from Shakespeare to Neil Simon), Impro for Storytellers by Keith Johnstone … just to name a few.

Chris Wilson: Save the Cat by Blake Snyder is a great book on scriptwriting. I’m sure everyone says that. I also love Steve Martin’s biography, Born Standing Up. It’s very inspirational and I think about it and quote it in my comedy career often.

Alex Duncan: Franny and Zooey by J.D. Salinger and Letters to a Young Poet by Rainer Maria Rilke.

Katharine Isabelle: Books that have been important to me are the thick old Russian novels that I haul around to every set to beat AD’s with. And they’re also good stories. Love me some Dostoevsky. I’d like to play Raskolnikov one day.

What other projects are you working on and where can we find out more about you?

Danny Mac: I’m currently writing two video games with my long-time writing partner, Cooper Bibaud, as well as polishing off two feature scripts I’ve recently finished. But what you should really watch out for is my feature comedy, HEEL KICK!, which will premiere some time this year. I wrote, produced, directed and star as a backyard wrestler who tries to go pro. It’ll be the most fun you have watching a movie where people get hit in the head with folding chairs this year. Follow me everywhere at @mactwelve for HEEL KICK! updates and photographs of things I eat.

Kacey Rohl: I’m about to pop over to Wayward Pines as new regular for this coming season. Don’t know what’s in store yet, but I’m very excited. You can find out more about me by following me on Twitter @kaceykadoodles!

Christina Sicoli: I’m currently in the last few stages of developing “small cop,” a comedy feature film that I wrote. Aside from a few other projects I’m creating, you can find me in a few digital series and a film release in spring 2016. In the meantime check out ChristinaSicoli.ca.

Chris Wilson: Peter N Chris, my three-time Canadian Comedy Award-winning sketch duo with Peter Carlone, are always performing live. We will be performing a Christmas Show we are working on this summer (I know), and filming a documentary style webseries in March. We will be in Toronto for the Fringe in the summer as well as at the Winnipeg Fringe in July.

Alex Duncan: I have a reoccurring role on a new show called DC’s Legends of Tomorrow, playing the wife of Rip Hunter. I have popped up a little but am awaiting episode 7, which features me quite a bit – eeeek! You can find me on IMDB.com.

I am in the process of self-publishing a children’s book, called An Army of Hearts, which will be coming out this spring.  It has been a huge focus for me over the past two year and I am so excited to share it with the world. Other than that, I am auditioning for new things all the time, so anything is possible! Vancouver is so busy right now, which is amazing.

Katharine Isabelle: Currently awaiting the release of How To Plan An Orgy In A Small Town and The Girl In The Photographs, and shooting Origami in Ireland soon. Working on staying working. And training my dog not to bite me whenever he sees The Dog from the 16th Floor.

You can learn more about me by following me on Twitter @katie_isabelle. Putting me in your movie or TV show. Or going through my garbage.

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Thanks to the actors for speaking with us!

You can see all of these actors at the Crazy8s 2016 Gala on Saturday, February 27^th. For ticket information please visit Crazy8s.film!

The post The Biz Interview: Crazy8s 2016 Actors appeared first on Biz Books.

It’s no easy task to make a short film in 8 days, but somehow six Vancouver filmmakers have managed to do it. We interviewed Crazy8s directors Matthew Campbell (Grocery Store Action Movie), Patrick Currie (Meet Cute), Shauna Johannesen (Trying), Shannon Kohli (A Family of Ghosts), Jesse Lupini (Iteration 1), and Joel Ashton McCarthy (I Love You So Much It’s Killing Them) to see what they learned from the process and get the scoop on their films ahead of their big day.

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Can you start by telling us a little bit about you and your film?

Matthew Campbell: I’m an indie filmmaker living in North Vancouver, BC. I work in the film industry as a greensman, and spend my spare time shooting passion projects. My film, Grocery Store Action Movie, is about a man who gets to the checkout line, but realizes he forgot the one item needed to impress their dinner guests! With time running out, he must dash across the store overcoming obstacles trying to slow him down.

Patrick Currie: I’m an actor who found my way to directing by my frustration with stories that don’t reflect the current realities of gender and sexuality in our society. I often audition for one dimensional characters that are meant to represent entire groups of people.

Meet Cute is a bisexual rom-com. The two leads don’t adhere to the accepted labels of sexuality. They are outcasts and they find themselves allied in their attraction, and pursuit for authenticity.

Shauna Johannesen: Trying is a short romantic comedy about a couple trying to have a baby. It’s a kind of “What to expect when you’re not expecting…” I’m a writer and actor, and really wanted to take this opportunity to direct something I’ve written, so I could help shape the story from beginning to end.

Shannon Kohli: A Family of Ghosts is a love story set in the early 1900’s. Twenty-year-old Abigail has spent her entire life dealing with her meddling grandparents — who just happen to be ghosts. It’s a sometimes strained, but ultimately loving relationship, until her ghostly caretakers go one step too far, and deem yet another suitor not good enough for their darling granddaughter.

Jesse Lupini: I grew up in Victoria, and I’ve been passionate about creative storytelling and film my whole life. I made my first short at age 8 with a handicam in my back yard, and haven’t looked back since.

Iteration 1 is the story of Anna, a woman who wakes up in a bizarre facility where her actions echo forward in time. Every sixty seconds she dies, then reawakens in the company of ghostly versions of her previous lives. Forced to relive her past mistakes, she must also learn to work with her past and future selves to escape the terrifying conditions she’s trapped in.

Science fiction has always been my favourite genre to work with. I grew up watching Star Trek every Saturday morning, and I’ve been fascinated ever since with ways to shed light on everyday problems by telling stories about far-off worlds and ideas. While Iteration 1 is definitely a fun sci-fi puzzle film, it’s really a metaphor for how we live our lives. We often feel stuck in vicious cycles that threaten to consume us, and sometimes you have to think outside the box in order to escape.

Joel Ashton McCarthy: Our film is a romantic comedy from the twisted perspective of a psychopathic female serial killer.

Can you tell us about how the idea for your film came to be and what your creative process was like in making it come to life?

Matthew Campbell: The idea for the film actually came from the two writers, Chris Wilson and Peter Carlone, who make up the comedy team Peter n’ Chris. Both are award-winning Canadian comedians who’ve written for Just For Laughs, etc. The creative process was a lot of discussion and re-writing a sketch/radio skit to make it a visual format that still had the funny they had in their skit.

Patrick Currie: Brendee Green and I met on the set of Proof. We were both ‘day players’: she was a nurse, I was a longshoreman. I showed her the teaser for a short I had produced, and she asked, right away, “Are you Bi?” I said yes, and we began writing a web-series about being bisexual. Then, Crazy8s submissions came along and we adapted what we were writing for the contest. And here we are.

Shauna Johannesen: I watched so many friends and acquaintances struggle with fertility or trying to plan the best time to have a baby, only to discover that this is one of those things that doesn’t always work according to plan. In fact most people had been trying NOT to get pregnant for so long that it almost seemed ironic that now it was so difficult. It makes you think differently about the words “birth control,” because there’s often not nearly as much control as you might like. But I wasn’t seeing a lot of these stories in film. There are romantic comedies about finding love, getting married, and getting pregnant, but I wasn’t seeing anything about what happens when you’re ready to be parents and there’s no baby. Plus, there’s so much comedy available in unsexy sex that I had to write it.

Shannon Kohli: I liked the idea of loved ones looking out for you even when they had passed away. Although parents and grandparents want the best for their children, they have to respect boundaries and allow them to make their own choices and mistakes. Abigail lets her grandparents meddle, but when it matters, she learns to take control of her of her own life.

Jesse Lupini: The concept for the mechanism behind Iteration 1 came from an old flash game called Cursor*10 where your mouse cursor duplicates, and you need to use these multiple cursors to solve puzzles to advance to the next level. I proposed an idea for a story inspired by this idea to my co-writer Lucas Kavanagh, and together we started to develop what would eventually become Iteration 1.

We started by building up the rules of the world, and discussing how someone might feel if they had to confront their past lives in such a strange situation. We used these conversations to paint the broad strokes of the plot, and got to writing. Since Lucas was halfway around the world on a boat for the writing period, we sent scripts back and forth, working drafts and notes while the other was sleeping. It was weirdly effective, and we ended up with a really strong script for it.

Joel Ashton McCarthy: Embarrassingly enough it came from the fact that we wanted to enter Crazy8s and the day before we didn’t quite have an idea. I called my writing partner Mike Doaga and we decided we wouldn’t end the phone call until we had a story we loved. After a long call we finally did, and we have been re-writing and re-shaping it ever since.

What was the most memorable moment for you in the Crazy 8s process?

Matthew Campbell: Working on set with so many talented comedians was just amazing. Peter and Chris are so collaborative and funny, plus they brought out so many talented locals from the comedy scene that just really brought the funny to life. Seeing the action and comedy work so well together was so amazing.

Patrick Currie: Walking into the church on the first Friday. 50 background performers, the actors, a fully lit set, a huge lighting balloon floating up at the ceiling to light it all. It was overwhelming. And the last frame of the film, when we shot it, Andy Hodgson, the DP and I looked at each other, and we knew we had it, despite not getting the equipment we thought we needed.

Shauna Johannesen: Um… watching my good friend Patrick Gilmore bare his backside for comedy might be right up there. I could not stop laughing. That, and having to make multiple pleas on social media for pregnancy tests and model vaginas. That’s indie film.

Shannon Kohli: Being on set everyday with our fantastic cast and crew. Seeing the production design, costumes, the horses and the whole story coming to life. It was a dream come true.

Jesse Lupini: The process is a whirlwind from start to finish. Pre-production was a non-stop month and a half preparing for the eight days of the actual Crazy8s event. I’m always more relaxed once I get to set – that’s where I’m really in my element. The whole thing has been one massive adrenaline rush, but the most exciting moment was probably watching the first scene unfold on the monitor. I’ve been working on the script and pre-production for what feels like forever, so I had this strong, fully-formed sense of what I thought the film would look like. This was the first time that what I was seeing on the monitor surpassed what I’d imagined in my head. Katharine Isabelle and Zak Santiago’s performances were incredible right out of the gate, and the frame just looked beautiful. I couldn’t stop grinning.

Joel Ashton McCarthy: My most memorable moments have a lot of spoilers, so I’ll say it was when I showed up on set the first day to see a crew of over 50 people working on the film. There is something so humbling and terrifying about having an army backing the film. But it really put the pressure on for us to not screw it up. After all, if the film doesn’t turn out, most blame the director.

What would your advice be for filmmakers considering Crazy 8s?

Matthew Campbell: Plan, plan, plan. Knowing exactly what you need, and not overshooting is a critical step in using your limited time and resources to their fullest.

Patrick Currie: Love your story. Passion drives creation. If you’re just trying to ‘make a movie’ you might get in. But, if you’re passionate about what you are creating, the people who join you will give you everything they have. Dig deep, say something new.

Shauna Johannesen: Do it. Make something. Pitch something. And then get the best team you can find.

Shannon Kohli: You’re only as strong as your team. You need to surround yourself with really good positive supportive people.

Jesse Lupini: As I’m writing this, it’s 5:00 am, with the final delivery of the film due in 13 hours. Everyone on the team has pulled off multiple all-nighters, and at this point all I can think about is how excited I am to sleep. My Fitbit tells me I’ve had an average of 3.5 hours of sleep per night in the last week. That sounds brutal, and it most definitely is, but regardless of how much my body may hate me for it, this is an experience I’ll never forget. If you have a passion for storytelling and want to try your hand at this crazy industry, just send in a pitch for next year’s event. Lucas and I went in thinking we were a long shot. Everytime we made it to the next round we were surprised, right up until I got the phone call that we were in the final 6. If you’re considering taking part in Crazy8s, just be prepared for the roller coaster ride of your life. I’ve hit the full spectrum of emotions that are possible for me to feel in the last 30 days. Seriously, all of them. Go with the flow and be a sponge. Absorb everything you can, from the knowledge you’ll acquire to the connections you’ll make. It’s quite a ride.

Joel Ashton McCarthy: Be prepared to work your fucking ass off and take time off work. Sorry for the language but I need to emphasize how much work it is. What makes it tough is that they award the top 6 and BAM, you’re shooting just weeks later, so you essentially have to pre-emptively take time off and assume you’re in the top six. I didn’t do that, so I was scrambling to get people to cover me because I was scheduled to be on set the first 2 weeks of prep.

What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned in your career thus far?

Matthew Campbell: Networking is everything. This comes from being kind, respectful, and making sure everyone has a voice of some sort in your project. People want to work with those they feel respect them and their opinions.

Patrick Currie: If you want something, be prepared to deliver. I look back now on moments, when I was just acting, and realize I didn’t know what was required of me. Those who make it in acting do so because they understand the entire process. Making movies is a gift. But you must know your place. I had a limited understanding, as an actor, how I fit into the process. JD Thiessen, who came on board as director’s assistant is a very smart young actor, he was there every second, quietly figuring out how each person functions on set, and it’s going to make him a better actor.

Shauna Johannesen: No one is going to do it for you. You can’t wait around for someone to notice your passion or your talent or your gifts. You need to make your own things.

Shannon Kohli: There are three films. The one you write, the one you shoot and the one you edit. Be flexible to allow the changes as the film evolves.

Jesse Lupini: As a director (or really anyone in film), it’s so important to know exactly what you want. Being decisive, and then clearly communicating what you want, is absolutely vital. One of the things that surprised me was how much people seemed to love our script. I think not only does something about Anna’s journey really strike a chord with people, but also the fact that we’ve taken on such an ambitious project for Crazy8s. Passion attracts passion, and we have a lot of talented people on board who’ve come together to make Iteration 1 happen. Don’t be afraid to try something that seems impossible. Be bold.

I think what drew many people to the script of Iteration 1 was it doesn’t read like it’s possible to do in an eight day filmmaking intensive. A big part of this may have been that Lucas and I were simply naive about how hard it would be, but looking back we’re so glad we were ambitious, as it allowed us to build a talented team of people who were excited by the challenge. Be bold and be clear.

Joel Ashton McCarthy: The worst thing you can do to an audience is to make them bored.  You can make them laugh, make them cry, challenge them, or offend them but if you make boring content you are creating the biggest cinematic crime. So don’t feel you have to make safe content, there is too much of that shit out there. Stand out from the crowd.

What books would be valuable for a filmmaker to have read before participating in Crazy 8s?

Matthew Campbell: Save The Cat! by Blake Snyder– a book about scriptwriting and story.  Industry standard, will really help you lock down what you need to tell to have a story worth telling.

Patrick Currie: I’m an actor/director. I direct the story and performers more than anything else. The DP and other departments I worked with are aware of this. I’m learning about the technical side as I go, and really loving it. But right now I’ll speak as an actor’s director.

In order to get strong performances you need to understand the actor’s process. I always go back to Uta Hagen’s Respect for Acting when I have to guide an actor through the basics. And Audition by Michael Shurtleff. Someone on set recommended On Directing Film by David Mamet and I’m looking forward to diving in to that one. And Harold Pinter’s Betrayal is a play everyone needs to read.

Shauna Johannesen: That’s a really good question. I should definitely read some filmmaking books. I borrowed a whole stack from a friend to read over Christmas but I was so busy writing and rewriting my script that I only got halfway through The Conversations: Walter Murch and the Art of Editing Film by Michael Ondaatje. But it’s fascinating! I highly recommend it.

Shannon Kohli: What They Don’t Teach You at Film School: 161 Strategies For Making Your Own Movies No Matter What by Camille Landau, Film Directing Shot by Shot: Visualizing From Concept To Screen by Steven D Katz, and Cinematography: Theory and Practice: Image Making for Cinematographers and Directors by Blain Brown.

Jesse Lupini: To be honest, I don’t really read books on filmmaking. I probably should, but I always want to read the kinds of stories that I like to tell. I’d say find what genre you love and read a lot of it. Filmmaking is storytelling, so first and foremost you need to learn how to lead your audience through a compelling story. The most recent book I read was Leviathan Wakes, the first book in the series The Expanse, which was just adapted into a new SyFy series. It’s fantastic, and I love seeing the process of adapting a book to the screen.

Joel Ashton McCarthy: A great bunch of books for filmmakers is Rebel Without a Crew by Robert Rodriguez, Save The Cat! by Blake Snyder, Story by Robert McKee and The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell. But half of making films unfortunately is a bullshit political game, so I’d recommend How to Win Friends and Influence People, and The Art of Seduction. Both of books will make you feel sleazy for reading them, but it’s important to have people want to work with you.

What other projects are you working on and where can we find out more about you?

Matthew Campbell: I just finished shooting Nightwing: The Darkest Knight, a DC Comics fan film. I am developing a web series with a local production company and also a feature film with some of the producers from Grocery Store Action Movie. I have a website that includes my demo reel and a bit more about me.

Patrick Currie: Follow us on twitter @meetcutefilm to be updated on Meet Cute. I’ll be heading to Comicon in Stuttgart, Germany in June, which is a great chance to promote the movie to my Stargate fans. I’m working away on a couple other feature scripts to follow up Meet Cute. And I’m ready to put my focus back on my acting career. It’s taken a bit of a back seat during this Crazy8s ride.

Shauna Johannesen: My first professional play, Common Grace, was just produced at Pacific Theatre and I was actually performing in that while we were filming our Crazy8 film…. as though things were not crazy enough. I’ll be on stage again at Pacific Theatre in April for Kathy Parson’s A Good Mother. Beyond that, I’ll be working on a pilot, a feature and going back to auditioning. You can find me on Twitter and on my website.

Shannon Kohli: I’d love to shoot a few more short films this year and I’ve also been working on some feature scripts. I’ve also optioned two novels to direct as features: Me & Emma by Elizabeth Flock and Three Souls by Janie Chang.

Jesse Lupini: I tend to have a lot of projects on the go at once. Iteration 1 isn’t the first project I’ve worked on with Lucas. We have a weekly science news podcast called Double Blind. It’s on hiatus while we finish up with Crazy8s, but we’ll be back at it soon – you can learn more at DoubleBlindScience.com.

I’m also finishing post production this month on a sci-fi short I directed back in November called Qualia. It explores the simulation hypothesis – the idea that our entire universe could be a computer simulation. You can find updates on this and all my other upcoming projects at JesseLupini.com.

Joel Ashton McCarthy: I’m currently developing what I hope will be my third feature. It is a horror comedy so my Crazy8s film is a perfect calling card, but I’m still keeping much of the plot under wraps for now. But my last feature comes out this summer – it is a micro budget comedy about a group of friends making a high school shooting musical called Shooting The Musical. And you can follow me on my Facebook fanpage. Lots of fun projects ahead.

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Thanks to the filmmakers for speaking with us!

You can see all of these great filmmakers and their films at the Crazy8s 2016 Gala on Saturday, Feb 27^th. For ticket information please visit Crazy8s.film!

The post The Biz Interview: Crazy8s 2016 Filmmakers appeared first on Biz Books.

After much deliberation, we are pleased to announce the Top 12 finalists who now advance to the script stage. Over the past weekend the incredible Top 40 pitched to our In-Person Jury comprised of our own Catherine Lough Haggquist, Glen Schaefer, Jem Garrard, Kaare Andrews, Katie Weekley and Zach Lipovsky. This was quite a difficult year for narrowing down the list! We seriously encourage everyone who pitched their film to keep persevering and get it made!

Here are the Crazy 8s 2016 – Top 12 Finalists!

Arranged
Director: Rohit Chokhani
Writers: Rohit Chokhani and Ashley Rose
Producer: Ashley Rose

An inter-racial couple embarks on a journey to bring an understanding of eastern traditions and western values to arrange their own wedding. How much will each family need to adapt to the others’ culture? Will they be able to coexist?

A Family of Ghosts
Director and Writer: Shannon Kohli
Producer: Rob Meekison

Even the grave can’t stop Abigail’s grandparents from ruining her love life.

Grocery Store Action Movie
Director: Matthew Campbell
Writers: Peter Carlone and Chris Wilson
Producers: Ryan Silva, David Kaye and Jameson Parker

A man on the brink of checking out realizes he has forgotten the crackers. In a race against time he will risk life and limb in an attempt at the impossible: retrieve the crackers before the person in front of him pays…

I Love You So Much It’s Killing Them
Director: Joel Ashton McCarthy
Writers: Joel Ashton McCarthy and Mike Doaga
Producers: Nach Dudsdeemaytha & Marena Dix

An unconventional rom-com told from the perspective of a serial killing accountant with a heart of gold

Iteration 1
Director: Jesse Lupini
Writers: Jesse Lupini and Lucas Kavanagh

A man must complete a series of bizarre puzzles with the help of his literal past lives, after waking up in a strange white room where his progress resets every 60 seconds

Meet Cute
Director: Patrick Currie
Writers: Patrick Currie and Brendan Green
Producer: Michele Picard

An unexpected first kiss initiates an unravelling in the lives of two strangers as they discover their undeniable attraction challenges everything they thought they knew about themselves.

Mystery Meat
Director: Jim Van Dijk
Writer: Hannah Van Dijk

When a Food Critic with the power to make or make or break her new restaurant comes for dinner, talented but anxious chef Harriet must battle her insecurities – which appear in the form of a giant pink rabbit – in order to create the perfect dish.

NPC
Director: Katherine Hill
Writer: R. Morgan Slade
Producers: Annette Reilly and Greg Delmage

After mysteriously losing out on one too many performance awards, a determined type-A desk worker must discover the truth behind her undeserving losing streak before her last chance at recognition is handed to the company’s current favourite: the office clown.

Resuscitate
Director: Chris Aitken and Denis Ogrinc
Writers: Chris Aitken and Denis Ogrinc
Producer: Rory W Tucker

Jon, an unambitious lifeguard, shocks a CPR dummy to life during his first aid training. Jon and the dummy become best friends during an adventurous afternoon and the two learn something about themselves they could not have done without each other.

Trying
Director and Writer: Shauna Johannesen
Producer: Lulu Pan

A seemingly simple decision becomes a wholly unsexy obsession for a 35-year-old high school teacher and her husband trying to penetrate the mysteries of biology and get knocked up.

Unintentional Mother
Director and Writer: Mary Galloway
Producer: Jaykaybie Brown

For an Aboriginal girl who must choose between running from her abusive father or staying as a devoted nanny, family is all about perspective.

Unlock
Directors: Orsy Szabo and Krista Rand
Writers: Alexandra Shewan, Orsy Szabo and Krista Rand

Unlock is a love story that follows Helena across Canada by train, as she retrieves a love lock and reclaims her freedom

The post Crazy8s 2016 Top 12 Finalists appeared first on Biz Books.