Brad T. Gottfred, who I am sure most of you know who he is. He is the
writer and director of The Movie Hero. Which Jeremy played the lead
role of Blake Gardner. I told Brad about "hailsisto" turning one and
what I wanted to do for it. Brad was more than happy to answer some
questions for me. I hope you all appreciate the time he took for
this. I enjoyed reading his answers, as I am sure you will also.
1. How did you decide on Jeremy for the role of Blake Gardner?
JEREMY WAS THE ONLY PERSON WE AUDITIONED. USUALLY AN ACTOR OF HIS
STATURE DOESN"T HAVE TO AUDITION FOR SUCH A SMALL PRODUCTION, BUT
JEREMY REALLY FELL IN LOVE WITH THE SCRIPT. MORE THAN ANYTHING, FROM
THE AUDITION, I KNEW JEREMY AND I COULD COMMUNICATE WELL. WE HAD A
COMMON LANGUAGE IMMEDIATELY.
2. What was it like working with Jeremy?
VERY RELAXED, VERY NATURAL, VERY FLEXIBLE, VERY PROFESSIONAL. MOST
IMPORTANT, JUST A FUN GUY TO BE ON SET WITH.
3. How did you come about this concept of a story?
IT'S ABOUT A GUY WHO BELIEVES HIS LIFE IS A MOVIE WATCHED BY AN
AUDIENCE ONLY HE CAN SEE... UH, THAT"S ME. SERIOUSLY -- ACTUALLY THAT
IS SERIOUS -- BUT ALSO I WAS SO DESPERATE TO MAKE A MOVIE IT WAS VERY
LIBERATING TO WRITE A CHARACTER WHO GOT TO LIVE A MOVIE INSTEAD OF
MAKE ONE.
4. How long did you work on this story?
I WROTE THE FIRST DRAFT IN AN INSPIRED WEEK -- BUT THEN EDITED IT FOR
THE NEXT YEAR AND A HALF. THE LOVE INTEREST/THERAPIST ESPECIALLY WAS
DEVELOPED. MY WIFE HELPED A LOT. (SHE"S IN A PSYCH DOCTORATE PROGRAM)
5. Where was the film shot at?
IN AND AROUND HOLLYWOOD BLVD. THE INTERIORS WERE SHOT IN THE OLD
STATE BUILDING, ROOMS DRESSED TO BE BLAKE'S APT AND THE OFFICE. (FOR
ANYONE MAKING AN INDIE FILM -- DON"T HAVE MANY LOCATIONS AND DON'T
SHOOT ON HOLLYWOOD BLVD!)
6. Was the final product what you saw in your mind?
I BELIEVE MICHAEL MANN SAID THAT IF YOU GET 60% OF WHAT'S IN YOUR
HEAD ON SCREEN, THEN YOU'RE A SUCCESS... I'M PROBABLY AROUND 59%...
EMOTIONALLY & THEMATICALLY IT IS EVERYTHING AND MORE. I DO WISH I
COULD HAVE BEEN MORE DYNAMIC VISUALLY, BUT THE BUDGET DIDN'T ALLOW IT
(NOT TO MENTION THIS IS MY FIRST MOVIE AND I WAS LEARNING ON THE FLY)
In total how many awards has this film recieved? I BELIEVE WE"VE BEEN
TO OVER TWENTY FESTIVALS AROUND THE WORLD, WON OVER TEN AWARDS,
INCLUDING BEST ACTOR AT CINEQUEST AND THE AUDIENCE AWARD AT THE
AUSTIN FILM FESTIVAL. (THERE'S A FULL LIST AT THE WEBSITE:
themoviehero.com)
7. Are you working on any other movies at this time? If so can you
tell us anything about it?
I'M ALWAYS WRITING A SCRIPT. HAVE A WHOLE ARSENAL READY AND WILLING.
ONE OF THE TOP THINGS I AM WORKING ON IS A LOW BUDGET THRILLER
CALLED "THE GREAT UNKNOWN" -- WE PITCH IT AS "MEMENTO" WITH DREAMS...
When will fans be able to put their hands on a copy of this movie?
HOPEFULLY BY THE END OF THE YEAR. WE ARE VERY CLOSE ON SEVERAL
POSSIBLE DEALS. THAT BEING SAID, WE HAVE BEEN CLOSE FOR A LONG
TIME...AND IT KEEPS HAVE A NEAR MISS. I CERTAINLY WILL KEEP YOU
UPDATED. WHEN IT DOES COME OUT, I HOPE EVERYONE BUYS A COPY FOR
THEMSELVES AND THEIR CLOSEST THOUSAND FRIENDS:)
Closing comments from Christine
Again I would like to thank Brad for taking time out for this. I did
invite Brad to take a look at the group. I don't know if he did. But
if he did or will be, Thank you Brad!
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THE MOVIE HERO
