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Film Wed Feb 24 2010
2 Questions for 3 Filmmakers
Joe Avella
What's the project you're most proud of making?
Hmm. If I had to pick one, I'd go with Scatterbrained .
I made it super quick, as an entry to the iO Theater's Vidiocy competition. I wrote, shot, and edited it in a day and a half, for no money. It ended up winning the fest. It also got into the South by Southwest Film festival, which to this day tickles me greatly.
What do you think are the benefits or challenges to filming in Chicago?
In my experiences, people are usually pretty cool when you're shooting in a public place. I've never gotten harassed by police or surly locals...well, one time I was helping a friend shoot something in an alley by his apartment, and this dude called the cops on us. He told the police we were filming a porno. The cops showed up for 2 seconds and were like 'yeah, you're fine.' It was really weird, but the porno turned out great!
What's the project you're most proud of making?
I think it would be Regrets: Boxes
It's something I'd written and shot and had roped Justin Kaufmann in to perform it. I like it because it's funny and Justin's great in it, but it was also a lot more serious and a lot more personal than anything I'd ever done before. (It) wound up launching a whole "Regrets" series for me, and I've heard that some of the films even get taught in film and acting classes, which is both strange and rewarding.
What do you think are the benefits or challenges to filming in Chicago?
The benefits of shooting here are endless. Great variety of scenery, an endless supply of funny actors and writers, fantastic rental houses, everyone is generally cool with you shooting wherever you need to shoot, etc. Only challenge I'd say is that there isn't a huge film community here, not like in LA or New York.
Paul Thomas
What's the project you're most proud of making?
Trial by Fire: The Making of a Chicago Stand-up. It's one of the first things I did. It's about me getting my stand-up chops by doing an open mic at a Thai restaurant. That was the one of those rewarding moments when you have an idea, then the end product comes out like you had it in your head. Comedians dig it the most, so that peer approval warms my fuzz.
What do you think are the benefits or challenges to filming in Chicago?
Obviously, there's a wealth of talent here. Chad Wilson and I have produced a few videos together and are doing more right now, and I'd say that's one of the main benefits-- working with someone who know how to get shit done and wants to get shit done, and has a level head. We work lean and mean, and I'd like to think that's a Chicago thing, or Midwest ethic.
