What’s it like to star in a short film that’s completed in only 8 days?

We rounded up a talented bunch of thespians – Lee Shorten, Alex Barima, Jerome Yoo, Lorne Cardinal, Brad Duffy, Denise Jones, Lee Majdoub, Scott McGrath, Brendan Taylor, Darien Provost, and Peter New – to talk to us about their experiences in this year’s Crazy8s films.

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Lee Shorten of Anh Hung

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

I’m Lee Shorten. I’m a former lawyer from Australia and I’m playing Tuan in Anh Hung. Anh Hung is this great coming of age story that centers on a Vietnamese Canadian family. I don’t want to give too much away but it’s inspired by actual events and offers a snapshot of the Vietnamese Canadian immigrant experience. 

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

I read as much as I could about Vietnamese culture. I also looked into Taoism and researched Vietnamese gang life and gang culture. I managed to track down some old interviews with Vietnamese Canadian immigrants and gang members which was really helpful in rounding out my understanding of that experience, books can be a little clinical sometimes. I was insanely lucky in that I got to grab dinner with the guy my character is based on and he was incredibly generous with his time and insight. I also worked with him on the accent and learnt a little Vietnamese as well. I tried to prep as much as possible, but sadly 8 days is not a lot of time.

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

No one thing per se. But it was Athena Ho’s, who plays Jenny (my character’s sister), first role. So just watching her grow over the 3 days was really wonderful and I’m honoured to be a small part of her journey.

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

Accept the nature of the challenge. You only have 3 days to shoot, so do as much prep as you can and come to set with as many ideas as you can. But when you get there, be willing to compromise and be willing to play. The pace is fast and the work is challenging for all involved. You might only get a single take, just roll with it.

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

If (and only if) you have done the work, then trust your instincts and don’t be afraid to voice your opinion. You’re not always going to be right but some of the best moments are born from conflict and compromise. The director should have the best grasp of the overall story but you should have the most in depth understanding of your character. But again, I can’t stress enough, you might not always be right but it’s usually worth a conversation. 

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

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

Oh man, tough question, there have been so many! The Art of Acting by Stella Adler, True and False by David Mamet, Stanley Kubrick: Interviews by Laurence Knapp, A Life in Parts by Bryan Cranston and The Conversations: Walter Murch and the Art of Editing Film by Michael Ondaatje.

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

You can catch me as Sergeant Yoshida on Ridley Scott’s The Man in the High Castle and sometimes I hang out with Crowley on The CW’s Supernatural as well. If you really want to find out more about me, I guess you could follow me on Twitter @lcshorten.

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Alex Barima and Jerome Yoo of Cypher

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

Alex Barima: My name is Alex Barima. I’m originally from Montreal, and I’ve been acting in Vancouver for the last 5 years. In Cypher, I play the role of Thello, the young rival of protagonist Jay. Our two characters resolve their personal issues through their connection to hip hop in the late 90’s.

Jerome Yoo: My name is Jerome Yoo and I’m an actor/writer. Prior, I was a Science student at UBC before I decided to pursue acting full-time. I’m a part of this year’s Crazy8s film Cypher and play the role of Jay, the timid Korean high schooler trying to deal with the lingering tensions between the Korean and African-Americans, 5 years after the LA riots. Entranced by the rap legends of his day, he finds himself drawn to LA’s underground rap scene where he must find the resolve to step up and confront his past to hopefully bridge the misunderstandings between the two communities.

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

Alex Barima: We had a few rehearsals before the shoot with Lawrence, our director, to build and explore each character.

Jerome Yoo: Rapping. A lot of rapping. I watched an unhealthy amount of battle videos on Youtube, and spent hours in front of a mirror rapping along to Hip Hop greats. I also tried to write a verse everyday. Here’s one: Yo, I’m a savant, working in a restaurant. Here’s your croissant, so can I have your number, nonchalant? Worst pick-up line ever, haha…

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

Alex Barima: Filming the last scene was an experience I’ll never forget; it happened to be the last scene of the shoot, and everyone there gave it everything they had. 

Jerome Yoo: So many! I think I shed some manly tears when our DP, Leo Harim, pulled me aside and told me the entire crew had my back on the first day. It meant a lot to me. Our director Lawrence Le Lam announcing that I booked the role of Jay at our first production meeting was also a pretty sweet moment. 

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

Alex Barima: Bring a lot of care and dedication to your work because it’s all that holds these projects together, and they are definitely worth it. 

Jerome Yoo: Do another hour of table work and analysis! I wish I had another hour…

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

Alex Barima: To never take for granted what I accomplish in this business, and always keep looking ahead. 

Jerome Yoo: Don’t eat chili on set and use the restroom while your lav mic is on.

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

Alex Barima: Unfortunately I’m not much of a reader. 

Jerome Yoo: One Piece. 

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

Alex Barima: I’m currently doing Voice Over work for an animated Netflix series. You can follow me on Facebook or IMDB.

Jerome Yoo: Back to the drawing board for me! Find me on social media @jeromeoyoo.

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Lorne Cardinal, Brad Duffy, and Denise Jones of No Reservations

Lorne Cardinal’s Photo Credit: Shimon

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

Lorne Cardinal: No Reservations is a comedic spin on the pipeline issues happening across the country today. A what if…story.

Brad Duffy: I’m a Vancouver-based actor who moved here from Alberta about six years ago to transition my acting career into more of a film focus. I’ve seen Trevor Carroll (the director) in the casting room for years but this is the first time I’ve been able to work with him personally.  He’s a pretty cool dude, for the record. I also do a lot of improv around the city.  No Reservations is a satirical take on the pipeline issues we’ve been having in BC, but has broader relevance.  I’d say it’s funny enough to be entertaining, while true enough to be poignant.

Denise Jones: My name is Denise Jones. I am a stage and film performer in Vancouver and the current Artistic Director of Vancouver TheatreSports League. I play the role of Marilyn Whiteman in No Reservations. It’s a fun satirical take on current pipeline protests.

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

Lorne Cardinal: Just read the script a lot, looking for rhythms & places where setups and payoffs can happen. Also being familiar with the story to allow for spontaneity and improvisation to happen.

Brad Duffy: The preparation was pretty standard: memorize the lines, look up what the material was referencing, and try to figure out the tone it’s going for.  We had a meeting where Trevor talked us through some of the beats where he needed something specific.

Denise Jones: I had been an avid watcher of the coverage of the protests at Standing Rock, so was pretty in the loop on the material. As far as prep for the role, I showed up ready to play. The cast assembled was so funny and talented it was so fun and easy to step into.

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

Lorne Cardinal: Seeing people I’ve worked with before and feeling welcomed into a highly dedicated group of creative beings. All I had to do was not screw up.

Brad Duffy: The most memorable moment was probably hitting Lorne Cardinal in the face with a beach ball; there he is being so professional, and my mind is just saying, “please beach ball, don’t make this guy get hit in the face 17 times, fly true.”  I’ll also remember Denise Jones cracking me up all weekend.

Denise Jones: We were shooting an idyllic look at the main married couple’s lives when out of nowhere a massive rainbow appeared and the whole cast hustled to move the entire camera set-up and video village to  accommodate it. It was insane.

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

Lorne Cardinal: Don’t stray too far from set, save your energy when not working and nap when you can.

Brad Duffy: Just come ready to work, and to enjoy the work.

Denise Jones: Come prepared for anything. Know your lines backwards and forwards as time is VERY VERY limited. Know that it’s going to be a great time as awesome things happen under pressure.

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

Lorne Cardinal: Always be learning from everyone and respectful to who you’re working with, especially crew members.

Brad Duffy: “The irony of commitment is that it’s deeply liberating — in work, in play, in love. The act frees you from the tyranny of your internal critic, from the fear that likes to dress itself up and parade around like rational hesitation. To commit is to remove your head as the barrier to your life.” – Anne Morris

This quote really helped me.  I’ve also learned how to let go after auditions better than I used to, which is largely due to repetition, (and maybe that Bryan Cranston on acting video you should look up).

Denise Jones: Don’t be an asshole.

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

Lorne Cardinal: The works of William Shakespeare. He shows what the power of words can do.

Brad Duffy: Impro for Storytellers by Keith Johnstone first ignited my passion for improv which has heavily influenced my career.  You Are Not So Smart by David McRaney helped me get ahold of my ego.  Books and graphic novels by Neil Gaiman have also been instrumental in keeping me filled with a sense of wonder and possibility: a necessary tool for any actor I would say.

Denise Jones: The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle.

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

Lorne Cardinal: Currently working on Corner Gas animated series, the never-ending auditions and looking forward to the releasing of a few projects I’ve been working on, should happen very soon. Find our more at facebook.com/lornecardinal or lornecardinal.com.

Brad Duffy: Right now you can regularly see me performing in various improv shows throughout the city, primarily with Instant Theatre, the Rookie League at Vancouver Theatresports, and Sin Peaks the Improvised Soap Opera opening up at the Revue Stage on March 7th.  I have a fan page on Facebook, “Bradley Duffy”, where I regularly post about my film and TV projects, but should probably work on a website.  Thanks for reminding me!

Denise Jones: I am currently directing an improvised stage production called Western World at Vancouver TheatreSports League. Check me out at www.vtsl.com or IMDB!

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Lee Majdoub, Scott McGrath, and Brendan Taylor of The Prince

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

Lee Majdoub: Hi, my name is Lee Majdoub, and I play Amir in The Prince. The film tackles Islamophobia and what it means to be Middle Eastern-Canadian.

Scott McGrath: The film I’m in is titled The Prince, and it’s about a young dancer and her Uncle dealing with what it’s like to be Middle Eastern post 9/11.  It struck a cord with me as an actor because I feel as an actor it’s important to be truly connected with yourself and the characters we play.  It’s my job as an actor to affect change and push if necessary current issues to the front line even if these issues are difficult to discuss or view.   Films and events like Crazy 8’s allow us to stop and reflect on the choices, opinions we have currently and hopefully create an outlet to make things better.

Brendan Taylor: The Prince deals with a young Muslim man and his dream of being actor, but facing challenges of racial and religious stereotypes in this modern world. He and his family have an encounter on a bus with an intolerant person and he has to decide how to react to him.

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

Scott McGrath: Well, because of the serious nature of the film it was hard not to feel compassion for the lead but the important thing for my scene was to be light natural and not think anything I was saying was offensive or inappropriate . Just everyday set talk between costumer and actor.

Brendan Taylor: I play the role of the instigator on the bus. It’s important to try to understand the perspective of someone who is intolerant or openly racist, that it comes from a place of fear or ignorance. Then, we as humans portray all kinds of behaviour to cover that up, often resulting in anger and frustration. I explored the many ways this person could have acted towards this family.

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

Lee Majdoub: It’s hard to whittle down this project into one most memorable moment. So many people came together and volunteered their time to tell a story they believed in… that they felt needed to be told. That, to me, is most memorable as a whole. So much work was put into The Prince, from all sides of film-making. It was inspiring.

Scott McGrath: The joy I felt in the trailer prior to our scene where everyone of many different ethnicities were laughing and truly enjoying each other’s company.  Non-competitive,  non-judgemental, a genuine spirit of love and support.  This support was across the board from the producers Danielle Stott-Roy and Robin Nielsen, the Director Kyra Zagorsky (who I learned much from) and all the cast from make to wardrobe and everyone I encountered that day on set.

Brendan Taylor: Well, to be honest, amidst the seriousness of the storyline, there were many lighter moments, that were necessary to break the tension: one of them being, I was sitting in my seat on the bus drinking water, and I went to get up, and being a taller man I often bump my head (I don’t fit on buses to begin with), and I bumped my head on the roof handrail, with a mouthful of water. It squirted out like a super-soaker on an unlucky background actor! 

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

Scott McGrath: Savor every moment and realize your part of something magical. Be grateful and enjoy the ride!

Brendan Taylor: Follow the Crazy8s, get involved, go to readings, contact the filmmakers, and even submit a pitch yourself! 

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

Lee Majdoub: A valuable lesson I’ve learned in my career so far? That’s a tough one to answer. There are so many. I would say learning to let go of control is a huge lesson. There are so many things I’m not in control of in life… and career. All I can do is work hard and be ready for every opportunity that comes my way.

Scott McGrath: I believe it’s important to have wonderful, harmonious relationships with the people we encounter, where on both sides there is caring and mutual respect.  I believe it’s important to let my heart be open so that. Have space within me to grow learn and give back unconditionally.

Brendan Taylor: Definitely persistence. I’m fortunate to say this is my main source of income right now, but it was not a smooth road. So many reasons to give up along the way. But I always train, or do a play, or do something to keep my art alive. But it’s what I love doing, and that’s a good test. You have to love it undeniably. 

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

Lee Majdoub: I’ve found a lot of books that have nothing to do with acting have helped me on this journey. I think living life and learning as much about oneself as possible is the greatest thing you can do for your acting. I’ll list a few that have helped along the way and no two are similar.

The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran

The Crossroads of Should and Must by Elle Luna

Notes to an Actor by Ron Marasco – I really recommend this one if you want a book on acting. It’s very different from other acting books.

Love Anthony by Lisa Genova – personally, a tearjerker. 

Scott McGrath: By far the greatest tool I have used is a marvelous toolbook titled AuditionCraft For Film & TV – The Craft, The Mastery, The Reality By Linda Darlow.

Best advice … “Keep stretching and growing, and remember to always be willing to learn, no matter how often you work, or how long you’ve been in the business”.

Brendan Taylor: Uta Hagen’s Respect for Acting, Sanford Meisner’s On Acting. Learn from the greats. Start there. And watch, read, or listen to interviews and biographies to be inspired.

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

Lee Majdoub: I’ll be appearing in a few episodes of the new season of Prison Break, which begins airing in April.

And, I start work on the third season of Zoo very soon.

Scott McGrath: Other projects I am part of is the new web series “Inconceivable” where I get to play the Step Dad Terry in a wonderful new comedy.  Check it out – http://www.facebook.com/thisisaspoon/

I also have been fortunate enough to be part of some fun Music Videos:

Check out Hey Ocean’s “Make a new Dance Up”

A Wallace – “Shake it Out”

And lastly, my website where I get to play my favourite character… SANTA with my Elf Spandy Andy: www.hireanelf.com

Brendan Taylor: Currently about to shoot another short film called Pearly Nights, and I have an episode of The Magicians airing March 29th! You can follow me on Twitter and Instagram check out brendan-taylor.com for past work! 

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Darien Provost of The Undertaker’s Son

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

My name is Darien Provost, I’m sixteen years old. I have been acting since I was four years old. I have done various TV shows and Movies but my role as Christopher in The Undertaker’s Son is one of my favourites. The cast and crew were amazing. The set and script made my job much easier due to the realism.

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

I would talk to my fellow actors and rehearse lines. I’ve always found it useful to listen to music and read over the script. It helps me get into character.

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

The most memorable moment for me was on the last day when we shot the opening scene for the film. I loved watching all the components of the set come together to make for an amazing scene.

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

My advice for actors who become part of a Crazy8s film is to show up with your lines fully prepared and practice being able to get into character quickly. There is not much time to spare on these shoots so it is important that everything moves smoothly.

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

The most valuable lesson I have learnt in my career so far is don’t pretend to be the character. You must become the character and add your own personal twist.

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

The most important book I have read so far is No Acting Please by Eric Morris. The book teaches you to be present in the moment rather than mechanically act.

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Peter New of Woodman

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

My name is Peter New and I played the Woodman in the film Woodman.

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

I had a 3.5 hour long makeup application in the morning which was a useful time to gradually purge my silliness. The more our talented makeup team applied layers, the more trapped I felt, which is exactly the state the character lives in. By the time they were done I felt transformed.

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

There are so many memorable moments to choose from! I think I’ll never forget being on set, with my prosthetic nose being supported by three people, prop shears, fishing line  and a great deal of hope that it won’t collapse into its three component pieces between ‘frame’ and ‘action.’

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

Don’t write yourself into a part that traps you under a heavy typewriter while attaching your face to a 600ft tube thus pinning you to a chair and restricting your movement for hours and then drink many coffees because your makeup call is at 5:30 am. It’s a smidge uncomfortable (but 100% worth it).

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

Keep moving, keep doing. There’s no value in fame, only in work.

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

True and False: A Practical Handbook for the Actor by David Mamet.

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

I’m a voice on My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic. Find me on Twitter @actorpeternew and on Facebook and Instagram.

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Thanks to Lee Shorten, Alex Barima, Jerome Yoo, Lorne Cardinal, Brad Duffy, Denise Jones, Lee Majdoub, Scott McGrath, Brendan Taylor, Darien Provost, and Peter New.

You can see all them on screen at the Crazy8s 2017 Gala on Saturday, Feb 25^th. For ticket information please visit Crazy8s.film!

The post The Biz Interview: Crazy8s 2017 Actors appeared first on Biz Books.

Chelah Horsdal took some time away for her very busy schedule to talk to us about her role in the film and her most treasured career accomplishments.

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Can you start by telling us a little bit about you?

I’m a Vancouver native who’s been at this acting gig for fourteen years. I love my dog more than most people & feel that chewing with your mouth open should be punishable by death.

Can you tell us about your role in Patterson’s Wager and how you became involved?

Alex Zahara approached me in the waiting room for an audition around pilot season 3 years ago. He said he was producing a film with one of his university friends and that they’d talked about me as their Audrey. I read the script and quickly said yes. Simple as that.

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

What did you do to get into character for this role?

Audrey’s two clear driving forces for me were her love of Charles and her desire to stay on the straight and narrow as a reaction to growing up in a family of oddballs. I can relate to both of those things. Growing up the child of hippies, raised by a single mother while going to an upper-middle class high school (Lord Byng), I relate to wanting to fit in… all the while feeling like it’s a mask I’m wearing. I determined Audrey to have that same struggle. That motivated most of her objectives for me.

You’ve enjoyed a lot of success in both film and television. What do you enjoy the most about each medium?

Preparation wise, I don’t see a huge difference. The catering is usually better on TV. I love the chance to explore a character over the course of a full season or seasons. Although, as Canadian cast, it’s not as common that we get the roles with a strong narrative. The exposure to working with a myriad of directors, the sense of family that forms 3-4 episodes in, the security of a longer run of employment…those are all awesome. In film, I experience two extremes…the big budget world, where we as a Canadian, I’m generally a service provider; and independent, where I have so much more creative freedom. There are benefits to both, usually one pays the bills and the other feeds the soul. It’s rare to find one that does both.

What’s the biggest challenge facing the Canadian film industry right now and what have you been doing in your own way to deal with it?

Our contribution as artists is often under valued. When the world of MOWs got to the point of shooting an 85 minute movie in 11 days and paying people in sandwiches (basically), I said enough, and stopped doing them. I won’t work for less than scale & wish that more of my peers would hold the line with me. I also find the designation of ‘cross board block shooting’ pay structure on episodic TV (shoot 5 episodes in one day and be paid for only 1) to be absurd and won’t work under that agreement. This is all to say, we will only be treated as valuable if we demand it. It’s a great source of frustration and I think it’s does harm to our industry.

To be clear, I’m not talking about independent or $100/day agreements….I’m talking about For Profit productions where the people at the top are making enough to pay their bills.

What have been some of your most memorable career moments?

A tiny role opposite Sir Ben Kingsley, one of my heroes; filming a classic guns-blazing-shoot-out on season 3 of Hell On Wheels; filming the pilot for Wishing Well (formerly Wish List) for CBC; and, most recently, finding out that The Man in the High Castle expanded my small role from season one to an all-episodes deal for season two…that’s a big deal for me. Oh! And meeting my dog on Marley & Me 2.

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

To value myself, have the courage to say no and trust that more work will come.

What books and authors have been influential to you throughout your creative journey so far?

Acting-wise, Stella Adler (The Art Of Acting), Ivana Chubbuck (The Power Of The Actor) & Ellen Burstyn (Lessons In Becoming Myself).

Writing-wise: Save The Cat & Big Magic are my current go-to.

What other projects are you involved with at the moment?

We’re into filming season 2 of The Man in the High Castle, which I’m in love with; I’m doing a couple of days on When We Rise, which is such a powerful & important story to be a part of; I’m on the other side of the lens having written & plans to direct my first short this year and continuing work on a documentary about my father’s life & career. But, mostly I’m involved with prepping my garden for the summer.

Where can we find out more about you?

I still love Twitter: @chelahhorsdal

Or you can poke around on my website: chelah.com

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Thanks to Chelah Horsdal for speaking with us!

Patterson’s Wager will screen at the Vancity Theatre on April 17th as part of the Canadian Film Week series and on April 20th for Canadian Film Day.

Tickets are available through VIFF.org

The post The Biz Interview: Chelah Horsdal appeared first on Biz Books.

With a Golden Honu Award for Best Foreign Feature at the Big Island Film Festival for his film Patterson’s Wager, he’s eager to share the film with local audiences in just a few days at the Vancity Theatre.

O. Corbin Saleken gave us the lowdown on the film and his process in bringing it to life.

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Can you start by telling us a little bit about you?

I am a Vancouver-based filmmaker whose primary goal is to make engaging, original stories.   I love it when a movie surprises me, when it takes me somewhere I haven’t been before, so that’s the kind of experience I’m trying create for an audience.

How did you get started in the industry and who were some of your early inspirations?

I got my start making movies back in high school, using a VHS camera to make bad skits and horror movies with my brother.  I eventually went to film school at UBC.  After graduating, I just kept plugging away, making shorts and writing scripts, until eventually I decided to take the leap and make Patterson’s Wager, my first feature.
As far as early inspirations, I’m a kid of the eighties, so I was hugely inspired by filmmakers such as Steven Spielberg, John Carpenter, Robert Zemeckis, and James Cameron.

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

You’re the writer and director of Patterson’s Wager. What can you tell us about the film and how you got started with it?

Patterson’s Wager is a romantic comedy with a dash of fantasy.  It’s about a man named Charles (played by Fred Ewanuick, from Corner Gas and Dan for Mayor) who discovers that he has the unpredictable ability to see two minutes into the future.   The key word here is “unpredictable.”  Charles can’t control his ability, nor does he know when it’s going to happen, which introduces a significant amount of uncertainty into both his life and the life of his girlfriend Audrey (played by Chelah Horsdal, from Hell on Wheels and, currently, The Man in the High Castle), to whom he wants to propose.

The impetus for the film was twofold.   The concept came to me when I was thinking about useless superpowers, and how I could introduce a single fantastical element into an otherwise grounded story.  I figured that being able to see a minute or so into the future wouldn’t really allow you to do anything spectacular, but it would be just enough to seriously complicate matters.  I then used this conceit to explore particular themes in which I’ve always been interested, these being trust, faith, and the nature of belief.

What should audiences expect from the film?

Audiences who see Patterson’s Wager should expect to see an original story that they haven’t seen before.  It’s a film that comes straight from my heart and mind, and its narrative journey is as unpredictable as are its main character’s “superpowers.”  Audiences can also expect to have an engaging, thoughtful, heart-warming experience that leaves them feeling particularly good when they exit the theatre.  At least, that’s my hope, and, judging from some of the comments I’ve received from audiences who’ve seen the film at festivals, it seems to be what a number of people have felt.

In your own personal experience, did the film change a lot from how you originally envisioned it during the writing process, or was it close to how you imagined it?

Honestly, the film turned out pretty much exactly as I envisioned it, to the point where many of the line readings were uncannily similar to what I’d imagined when I initially came up with the dialogue.   This only happened because people just kept saying “yes” to me whenever I approached them about contributing to the project.   This list of incredibly generous individuals includes the all-volunteer crew, the great cast, the people at William F. Whites and Sharpe Sound and Skylab, and everyone else who gave me access to a particular location, who loaned me or let me use a special prop, who carved me a special prop, and who sewed me a special costume.

What was the biggest challenge for you in making the film and how did you handle it?

The biggest challenge in making Patterson’s Wager was deciding to do it.  I knew that I was going to have to self-fund the movie if I wanted it to get made, which would require a huge financial and time commitment on my part.  I also knew that it would require access to a whole bunch of external resources, such as top-notch actors who’d have to be willing to work for next to nothing.  Despite these limitations, I was also determined that I didn’t want to go ahead if it meant I would have to compromise my intentions in any way.  If I couldn’t do it the right way, I didn’t want to do it all.

I handled this challenge by initially engaging three key people: my long-time friend and the movie’s eventual co-producer (and co-star) Alex Zahara, and the super talented cinematographers Nelson Talbot and Graham Talbot.  Once these guys were onboard, I started adding more and more people to the roster, until eventually I’d gained enough forward momentum that I couldn’t stop even if I wanted to.

What advice would you have for other directors who want to direct their own screenplays?

To answer this, I shall quote a writing instructor I once had, who said that every writer’s problem is that they can’t see their screenplay’s biggest flaw.  Now, I don’t necessarily believe that every screenplay has a big flaw, but when you’re directing your own script it’s certainly easier to overlook, or simply be oblivious to, some problems that might be there.  For example, I will admit that there was one scene in Patterson’s Wager that I overwrote.  It was an important monologue with which I, the writer, was a little too enamoured.  Unfortunately, I, the director, hadn’t realized that I’d overwritten the scene, so we shot it the way it was written, which meant that it was eventually left to me, the editor, to fix it.

I guess, then, my advice is to be very critical of your own script, and make sure you ask for feedback from people you trust.  More importantly, make sure that you listen to this feedback.  If you truly understand the story you want to tell, you’ll be able to apply this feedback in ways that will make your project stronger.

What books and authors have been influential to you throughout your creative journey so far?

My two favourite authors, the ones who’ve had the biggest influence on the way I think about stories, are Jonathan Carroll and Neil Gaiman.  Both of these writers have a knack for creating original narratives, ones that often mix the fantastical with the quotidian, which is something I also like to do.   I’ve also been influenced by D.H. Lawrence, Iris Murdoch, Brian K. Vaughan, Alan Moore, and Roald Dahl. Dahl’s James and the Giant Peach and E.M. Forester’s A Passage to India are probably my two favourite books.

As for film-related books, I loved Hard Core Roadshow, which is about the making of what I consider to be the greatest Canadian film ever made, Hard Core Logo, as experienced by the movie’s screenwriter Noel Baker.  Another great book on filmmaking, and just life in general, is Herzog on Herzog.  During pre-production on Patterson’s Wager, I found Master Shots Vol 2: Shooting Great Dialogue Scenes to be particularly useful.

What other projects are you involved with at the moment?

My next project is probably going to be a short film that will also feature Fred Ewanuick. I’ve written a bunch of feature scripts, so I’m hoping that I can use Patterson’s Wager as a springboard to get one of them made. My dream project is called Peach Fest, it’s kind of the Canadian Dazed and Confused. I’ve got another one called The Dummy Factor, which is about a group of kids investigating a possible local connection to some child abductions.  I’ve also got an unconventional ghost story that I wrote with my cousin Ben Rollo.

Where can we find out more about you and Patterson’s Wager?

You can find more information about Patterson’s Wager at PattersonsWager.com, facebook.com/PattersonsWagermovie, and @PattersonsWager on Twitter.

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Thanks to O. Corbin Saleken for speaking with us!

Patterson’s Wager will screen at the Vancity Theatre on April 17th as part of the Canadian Film Week series and on April 20th for Canadian Film Day.

Tickets are available through VIFF.org

The post The Biz Interview: O. Corbin Saleken appeared first on Biz Books.