That’s quite a question. I’m just a curious girl from south Italy (Puglia). I am an observer, trying to capture all the nuances of reality. reality is the greatest film we will ever see. That is why I am constantly trying to create projects that can reflect it.
-What Inspired you to become a filmmaker?
Cinema has always been a staple in the family. However, when I think of cinema, a specific moment always comes to mind. I was lucky enough to have a teacher in elementary school who never considered children too young to discover certain things. Thanks to her I saw Rome, Open City for the first time. At that moment I felt like I was inside a romantic comedy, at the instant when the protagonist meets her great love.
-Do you think that cinema can bring a change in the society?
Yes, cinema could change society. Multimedia is the most powerful tool we have nowadays. For better or worse, cinema can influence the masses like few other art forms. In order to effect real change, however, cinema, which is part of society, would almost have to detach itself from it. Detach itself in order to have a complete and objective overview. In this way, cinema could really give viewers a unique view of what surrounds us and perhaps, thus it could push people to change their lives and society itself.
-What would you change in the world?
I would try to get people to listen to each other more. Today we are all absorbed in our personal commitments or our ghosts. At the same time, we impose on ourselves to show others the best and winning version of ourselves. I would probably invite people to wear a sign that says “look closer” like the well-known sign that appears in the movie American Beauty.
-Where do you see the film industry going in the next 100 years?
Tough question. Cinema is changing fast, sometimes with blind haste. The only common thread remains the desire to tell stories. Probably in 100 years cinema will no longer be seen as an experience related to sharing. I am particularly referring to the experience of the movie theater. There will be more technologies, some roles may be replaced by special softwares. In this more technological and, perhaps, more lonely future, I hope that that famous red thread will always remain: let’s remember that we are here to tell stories and to create closeness between us human beings.
Growing up in Norway, my life has from I was very little been about the Arts; studying piano from age six; having a singing career as a boy soprano; playing the trumpet; performing in children Theatres; being allowed to buy myself an electric guitar at around 12 years old; playing keyboards in rock and jazz bands; studying music, singing, piano, composition…basically everything, also sports; performing in musicals and opera; assisting Leonard Bernstein in Vienna at the very end of his life, where everything he did became a film. I assisted both Lennie and the film Director, Humpfrey Burton on several concert films; participated, acted as an extra, observed during the making of Adrian Flicker’s film, “Halbe Welt” in Vienna, where I lived for 24 years.
From then on I was fully occupied following a career as a music conductor of orchestras and Opera companies around the world.
Twelve years ago I became father for the first and only time. This changed my life entirely, to the better, of course:) Travelling, which had happened together with my wife, was now on my own. I lost the spirit of pursuing the conductor jet setting life stile, and engaged in my sincere love for film. Over the last decade I made several Documentary films. Over the last six years I have completed my first feature film,COMMONHEART. From a childish mind.
-What inspired you to become a filmmaker?
Being passionate about several Art forms, I always had a special love for film. Only during the last decade have I found time to commit myself, engaging more profoundly in the film making process.
-Do you think the cinema can bring a change in the society?
Artistic expression in its deepest and most ideal shape can through the Art form Cinema be immensely powerful.
My artistic goal is always the same, as a musician, composer, conductor or a filmmaker; to create the most profound possible piece of Art that can bring the audience a meaningful experience, ideally to improve their world, our world, the world…
COMMONHEART. From a Childish Mind is a very personal film. Becoming a father is an important aspect of it. Having enjoyed my childhood in and around wild nature it became important for me that our son should be allowed to get a nature bound upbringing too. Then I observed, having returned- much for this purpose- to where I grew up on the Western Norwegian countryside after 36 years away, that children were not using our incredible nature as a playground anymore. It was only my son and I out there. People have in many ways lost their natural bound to nature.
And here we are at the very essence of the film. There used to be a connection which is so fundamental on a deeper philosophical basis in understanding -or at least feeling- our place as a part of nature, and we seem to be moving away from it…There was a connection which isn’t there anymore.
The child’s voice at the very beginning of the film says:”There was a time when Mother Earth hummed children to sleep.” and ” There came a time when the people didn’t hear the song anymore”… We have moved away from listening to our planet and what is fundamentally natural.
The wild nature just outside our door is a perfect set for filmmaking.
-What would you change in the world?
We urgently need to change our habit of destroying the source of life, to start living with nature instead of against it. My film introduces as an example the hope of “animal rights”. This is something existing only on a philosophical level, if at all. When we think about rights for animals, it is only on a religious level, or seen from a perspective of human needs. Never “animal needs”.
-Where do you see the film industry going in the next 100 years?
The technical development would lead me to fantasies about images being reproduced in more dimensions. The world as we know it has three dimensions of space—length, width and depth—and one dimension of time, but it seems to be more dimensions out there to discover. String Theory counts so far 10 dimensions in our universe. Anyhow, the need for profound artistic experiences will always- and more and more so- be important.
I’m a filmmaker. I write, direct, produce, and edit films. Company of Prophets, my first feature film is currently on the festival circuit. Myself, the cast and crew have been very blessed to have our premiere of both Company of Prophets and My Sci Fi Short film Sleepers premiere at the historic Chinese theatre, as well as being nominated and winning awards in numerous film festivals across the globe.
-What inspired you to become a filmmaker?
Sitting in a large theatre with the lights down and being transported into another world and I absolutely love it! And I hope I can transport others into another world with my films. This is the catalyst of everything I do in the film industry, full stop.
-Do you think the cinema can bring a change in the society?
Absolutely! Cinema can change society. We’ve seen cinema do it throughout its illustrious history. From socially conscious movies to politically charged movies have moved groups, even great individuals to spark change for the better. As long as filmmakers are allowed to speak on subjects that need a spotlight on, we shall always have cinema that can change the world for the better.
-What would you change in the world?
Love, hope, faith and patience. These 4 principles are what we definitely need a lot more of in the world, in my humble opinion. I know it will be difficult but damn, how much better off would this place be if everyone was at even 75% of these principals?
-Where do you see the film industry going in the next 100 years?
Unfortunately, I don’t see a big golden age type of explosion in the next 100 years like some have predicted. Yet, I do see a “Broadway-like” experience in the cinemas for the next 100 years. I think the film industry can be more concentrated, that each cinema experience can be an event, not necessarily a blockbuster movie experience but almost a spiritual, close-knit family, welcoming connection for those that have an absolute love and passion for film, movies and cinema. And I’d love it! Those are the types of stories and movies I’m trying to create.
Greg Di Roma is an American filmmaker, amateur hockey player and church ministry leader from Peekskill, NY. He is known for his cinema verite style films and videos most especially, Our Triumphant Holy Day. Greg has many passions and is always integrating them together in some sort of way with his films, from hockey to faith to music and so forth.
-What inspired you to become a filmmaker?
When I was in college, I decided to explore digital arts, graphic designing, web design, video editing, animation etc. I was into graphic design more than anything else and a lot of times I was making a lot of things inspired by movies. During my first semester at SUNY Purchase I took a screenwriting class and that was a huge inspiration for me to start going into film, then that summer I got an internship at this digital arts school called the Digital Arts Experience and we did a lot of video production there and that’s when I realized I wanted to go into film. I was also watching a lot of movies that summer and that made want to go into it even more. Eventually I ended up going to film school at Pace University and that was just an amazing program, it taught me so much about production and gave me opportunities to create a lot of projects, most especially a documentary going into Cuba. The film we created is titled, Cuba’s Crossroads: Hope, Rock and Revolution.
-Do you think the cinema can bring a change in the society?
I think it brings a lot of change as it is. There’s a lot of films that inspire many different things, from the way we view society to technology etc.
–What would you change in the world?
Haha, a lot of things. The way we treat each other and our outlooks on life. Also the way we use our resources and take care of the planet. I would also make sure people have a better chance at getting opportunities of any sort. Everyone is trying to find their niche, and it’s only gotten harder for people to figure out what that is. Everyone needs a chance to find their purpose in life.
–Where do you see the film industry going in the next 100 years?
It’s tough to say, God knows what kind of technology will be developed in the next century. A.I. is going to do a lot, that’s for sure. With that and a lot of the technology developed, I think a lot more of us will be making movies especially in the comfort of our own homes. A lot of us have more tools at our disposal as it is, so many of us are content creators, there’s going to be so many more films out there like there are now. Indie film along with streaming is growing, I think the industry is going to make a more equal platform for everyone to showcase themselves. The new media is continuing on the rise, there’s going to be a new Hollywood out there, what exactly that’ll be remains to be seen.
Christalo Castro: I am just a guy trying to make God proud.
-Who isAlex Kruz?
Alex Kruz: I read this and just shook my head, and said – how characteristically Talo. The lead actor often sets the tone of the film, it’s who you watch from beginning to end. It’s the reason why you grow close to a show and stop watching when they leave.
I knew I had to pick someone for it who was NOT an actor! This process for all of us was going to be a physical journey, a spiritual journey, and an artistic journey. I needed a fighter, someone who was physical enough to take the art to another level. Someone who was afraid of nothing, like me, and like his answer, it is simple like a ring, but infinite like the night.
In this time period of #METOO, I have to say my relationship with Talo was completely physical before we started this project. In one of my many down and out periods, when I left with nothing but the shirt on my back I ended up living in the same building as Talo and seeing him training for fights, I would train with him. I had the pleasure of training in many parts of the world, and getting my nose busted so many times even my twin flame Ewa had to get a nose operation to breathe clearly! (Lost track at #37) You could say our training was unorthodox, but that’s who I was as well. Get it done, think outside of the box, keep moving, keep fighting.
Also you can call this crazy, but once you get to a certain level in your own self-knowledge you begin to see past the layers in others. Talo I saw had actually studied acting before in his last life, lived in New York City and was a starving artist who didn’t do anything with it. I don’t believe in accidents. He was reluctant AF, but I fed him well, gave him the occasional mojito/margarita, let him go to his fight training while we were on travel, and we were in business. We had the perfect lead for the project.
-What inspired you to become an actor?
Christalo Castro: I guess I always wanted to be “a creative”. Growing up I would watch a lot of YouTube, so that made me think of different ways of telling a story in different mediums. I was also really into things that sparked my imagination, like Zelda, anime, and comics. So I’ve always enjoyed things that were kind of otherworldly. What inspired me to be an entrepreneur is the fact my brain just works differently than most people; not better, just differently. I’ve always thought I was competent enough to pave my own paths and I prefer to do my own thing.
-What inspired you to become a Filmmaker?
Alex Kruz: He totally did his own thing! In some scenes his own thing was brilliant! For which he doesn’t give himself credit for. With that boundless energy of wanting to do many things at once, he would get lost while we were traveling, at one point he didn’t want to be an actor any more, at another he didn’t want to learn his lines. I literally had to tell him I would send his ass back on a plane, and hire this other actor who looked like him but could barely string together sentences to play the rest of his scenes! If I told him to climb a mountain, or run back and forth that was easy, but Talo is very much his own person – like a James Dean or a Marlon Brando. Courageous, fearless, but not a dancing monkey. I respect that fire.
-Do you think the cinema can bring a change in society?
Actor – Christalo Castro: Cinema in the long-form movie sense has changed society. It affected pop culture significantly throughout the 20th century. I love film because it is an art that builds on itself. There’s nothing quite like it in that sense. We look at something that was shocking in 1960 is now commonplace in today’s moviescape. I am starting to see the decline in people wanting to watch movies. I think it is starting to take something special to make someone want to go out and watch a movie since we now have all these streaming services and other methods of keeping ourselves entertained. Long-format movies have changed society a lot, but I think it is starting to dwindle in its effectiveness.
Director – Alex Kruz: I like this about Christalo, he always has one foot here and another in timelessness and pulse of change.
-What would you change in the world?
Actor – Christalo Castro: The school system. It’s made to brainwash and design worker ants. There’s no emphasis on critical thinking.
Director – Alex Kruz: I forgot to mention, Talo was in school while we were shooting. He had me write him a Dear Sally Teacher letter, I’m stealing your student for three weeks please don’t fail him letter. Anyway having 3 masters and a doctorate I have to agree with him.
-Where do you see the film industry going in the next 100 years?
Actor – Christalo Castro: I think it is dying. I don’t see much innovation. In a lot of ways that’s why I respect what our director was trying to do with this film. He was trying to make something different, that wasn’t so standard. How many times can someone play the same song on repeat and we still clap with the same excitement? I think that short-form content is the future. However, there is a lot that can be done in terms of shows and the medium of telling a story. I think that that will be very promising for a while. But 100 years from now the content will be extremely short and attention-grabbing to get the most attention for the least effort.
Director – Alex Kruz: He might be onto something – attention span. It’s getting smaller and smaller in our fast food convenience society. Even in the military we use the 8 second and 18 minute rules for presentations.
I was recently surprised to notice the extent to which the lineage of my ancient ancestral heritage, spanning over 2500 years of Babylonian Hebrew diaspora, appears in my work. I have always been fascinated by the semitic root languages not only because they are sublimely beautiful, but they abound with meanings which can enrich and expand the very context of understanding itself. For me, for example, the etymology of words in a root language is a metaphor for the “Etymology” of the human soul. If my human soul is inseparably linked to what is meant by Word, ie., my soul is akin to a word, “my personal” identity then is inevitably transcended way beyond the conventions regarding “who” I am. This is so important in my view. Identity in this expanded context is one of the main ideas that occupies me creatively in my life and in my work. I’ve been trained to approach the imaginal realm of perception through contemplative enquiry for nearly four decades. I’d say that this factor affected me profoundly, especially my poetry and moving-image films – largely in the way they were made.
-What inspired you to become a filmmaker?
My desire to share experiences which I didn’t find in any other films, and possibly the way my brain works and connects things. Though I thought my dreaming about filmmaking was an impossibility, I was extremely fortunate. Suddenly, a miraculous thing happened in the fall of 2014 while on a poetry reading tour in the UK. I was just sent a cultural bulletin and in it was a call from the local Alchemy Film and Moving Image Festival to submit a film under the general theme “Spiritus Mundi”. I knew instantly I’d respond. I was determined to make the film because of this title. I had no idea what a huge undertaking it would become. The next day I bumped into the creative director of the festival – what on earth is the likelihood? – who immediately agreed to support my unknown project. I was utterly inexperienced, yet my installation project was allocated the largest room in town to fit a six meter diameter circle of 28 silk banners and a large screen. We shot a hundred people standing and facing the camera for five minutes each. So whoever sat to watch the main film inside the circle was surrounded by people projected onto the silk banners by six projectors I bought by taking loans. So it was the title, The Spirit of the World, that really prompted me to go for it. In my view the Spirit of the World is embodied best by mankind or the human potential. Because of this support and great help from the community, I filmed 5 major moving image films that year.
-Do you think the cinema can bring a change in society?
I think so. Films always affect society but the important question is what kind of change? I hope more and more films will have an auspicious impact on us. Of course this largely depends on our readiness and desire to change. I would love to watch visionary films that address and invoke what is real and universal in us; films that foresee unprecedented new paradigms of wisdom that show human endeavor in a new light; films that establish new artistic and contextual vernaculars. Why? Because these are all crucially necessary now.
-What would you change in the world?
The wise say no one can change anything or anyone. But one can aspire towards essential change – which is necessarily a change of perspective. We can aspire together. A change in my perspective may or may not resonate with others, but hopefully one does not seek to transform oneself in order to affect or influence other people. Chinese wisdom says that influence extends to others from those who became inspired from/by their essence – I’m paraphrasing. So affecting change better not be the prime motivation in my desire to change, but it may be consequential if real change comes about.
-Where do you see the film industry going in the next 100 years?
I have no idea. Humanity is yet to discover itself anew – that I believe and think it can and should. But whether or not a change in humanity occurs, I imagine the film industry could become a mirror, preferably a well polished mirror, for the possibility of this collective self-discovery, or at least for the coming world.
Biographically speaking, I was born in Rome on 22/11/1960 and have always lived in Orvieto. I have a degree in Law but chose not to practice even though I ended up working in a law firm as an employee in 1987. I’ve been writing (fiction) for about 15 years and have been writing screenplays for about three years. However, taking a peek at the subtext: I’m a repressed, inhibited thirty-year-old girl, a fifty-year-old redeemed woman, a sixty-year-old who can finally plan the future in her own image and likeness… rediscovered.
–What inspired you to become a screenwriter?
Like many writers, I had and still have the presumption of “seeing” my stories projected onto a screen: I had to use my ingenuity!
The “gods” ensured that I came across the competition held by the Cineheart Association, “A story for the cinema”, the winner of which would see their dream come true. I didn’t win, of course, but they suggested that I participate in the “Words in images” screenplay course, which was also held by them: it featured a masterful pyrotechnic teacher, Dr Valentina Innocenti, supported by the actress, director, screenwriter and President of the Association, Monica Carpanese.
The rest, involving a host of worries, working all hours, sleepless nights, the sacrifice of Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, came naturally.
“I’ll never forget the afternoon in which I read Laura Calderini’s e-mail, at the start of the film writing course held by Cineheart, in which Monica Carpanese, as President, and I, in the role of teacher, asked the participants to send their respective proposals regarding the scripts they wanted to create. I was disoriented. After years of teaching, I found myself faced with a series of notes which, had I had to employ a rigid teaching methodology, wouldn’t have found even the most vague or generic categorisation. That wasn’t what disoriented me, though. In those lines, which were bizarre and bereft of any dramaturgical logic, full of associations, visions, excesses, provocations, symbolisms and flights of fancy, something rare was hidden, a unique talent, an artistic flash of avant-garde origin.
It was Surrealism: understood not simply as a writing style, whim or authorial virtuosity, but as a genuine, “alternative” way of conceiving reality; so alternative as to break every convention, every certainty, making doubt its principle and, at the same time, the scope of every form of art
Since then, an artistic collaboration commenced between Laura, me and the Association in which everything was put in question, starting from our roles. I couldn’t be the “teacher” and she the “pupil”, rather, she was the artist with a new approach and I was the technician tasked with conveying that disruptive power of visual expression via rules aimed at ensuring its dissemination.
She cried, I trembled, aware of the fact that the danger would be to suffocate the talent through the very technique itself.
That we are here today means that perhaps the exchange was successful and, without doubt, it’s also thanks to the continuous professional support and empathy received from Monica Carpanese and Cineheart.
Valentina Innocenti”
–Do you think the cinema can bring a change in the society?
Any tool capable of conveying messages (cinema is a masterpiece in this regard) through highly widespread visibility can (and should) have strong educational, social and moral power, provided that, obviously, these messages possess sufficient worth.
–What would you change in the world?
The way of looking at reality. In my latest book, I wrote: “For years, I’ve been involved in a divinatory art which, when a sign appears, allows me to observe, understand and process the THINGS in life in a very personal manner. To venture beyond the here and now, look with transparency and cast an eye towards an “alternative” world.
–Where do you see the film industry going in the next 100 years?
First of all, personally, a voice that naturally loves to sing (I’m releasing an EP soon as a lyricist-performer), just like expressing oneself as an actor, and acting by creating from this base : that means to sing what and how? What ? Simply what will remain a universal response to our world : love.
How ? I try to translate this popular vibration, in all its forms : in fact a drawing, a painting, a poem, a novel, a photograph, their combination, like a film can in a certain way also sing life, without (or with) music. Even if my first passion is undoubtedly to sing, in its classically heard form, even if I originally chose to be a self-taught photographer (probably out of a sort of comfort because it is “fast” and considered an 8th art), cinema brings together various expressions which surpass each other and no longer remain solitary activities.
In addition to this 2nd short film, Love is time of reflections, I obtained acknowledgement for my poetic production (publication, prizes), various prizes in photography, including a certificate of merit from the Picture Gallery (Pinacothèque in French) of the Museum of the Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg, and published a book of photographic report of theatrical making-of
-What inspired you to become a filmmaker?
Emotion, and the analytical delivery power of cinema through the association of mediums that it brings together (staging of actors, editing of images, sound, narration, etc.). I was influenced and moved, for example, by Dead Poets Society, which contains the pain of a character thwarted by his father in his desire to become a theater actor, and which leads him to the worst… his suicide. Also by also Yentl of Barbra Streisand, score I’ve listened to, before having discovered the movie : this is an osmosis of all of kinds of arts, a musical film of and with a singer, unique, because different from a classic musical comedy.
By Carrington too, about a writer, the fusion between the music of Schubert and Michael Nyman.
Life is plastic, art is one of its truths, the 7th art of cinema is a form of reality – “le cinéma, c’est mieux que la vie” (“cinema is better than life) said François Truffaut -, in which I personally attach a lot of importance to the precision of the framing, to the temporal accuracy of the editing, in short to a specific, I hope original, visual form. Love is a time for reflections is a kind of photography in motion : I don’t necessarily need shots and reverse shots, for example. Its French
title L’amour est temps de reflets is a play on homophone words between “temps” (time) and “tant” (so much), a wave of echoes, through the very words of the voice-over and the images as well as the sound. Life, art, cinema are scenes of a play. I wish to tell stories in a different way. Furthermore, I work at the same time on a form of novel which mixes poetry, prose, and art images (mainly photographs).
The aesthetics of Jeremiah Johnson, of 2001 Space Odyssey (he began as a photographer, we see it in the precision of his frames), or of Gattaca has not aged a bit. I’m also attached to the stories, to the humanity of the characters as in Edward Scissorhands, Blue Jasmine, Million Dollar Baby. Just like at the inventiveness present in Django Unchained, or The Babysitter (1 and 2) by McG.
-Do you think the cinema can bring a change in the society?
The camera is a 2nd hand to write.
Yes, it can or may re-write sometimes some social phenomena by awakening consciences, even politically. Does any art change life ? Or is it simply a way to better live ? If we remember Malcolm X, I guess it is a trace which can impact individuals, hence acting on a part of the society. Step by step, are political choices more effective…? In 2023, I guess we know more than ever we haven’t found yet any global solution.
-What would you change in the world?
Hypocrisy, but it is a part of human being – not to be always honest -, truth, and maybe even hope, seem to belong to the world of children. Remember this song Children will listen from Into The Woods : “care of before you tell”… Listen to… you, to the one you were, to the one you can still bring to be, listen to you and other lifes too : life is this balance. Keep faith, trust yourself and others. Trust the story of life(s).
-Where do you see the film industry going in the next 100 years?
Unfortunately, in a poorer way like photography since around 2000 : quantity, a certain standardization of the forms, as well as comments predominate over substance. We may be losing some efficiency, and access to rich, dense and complex meaning, although it might still appear in less prolific and more concentrated forms (not necessarily in series), or in small ways with low means.
Sena Tunali is an award winning film producer director and actress. Produced, directed and also written the scripts of films named “She is Mine” and “Anna” in 2017. She is Mine production of Sena Tunali won so many awards from international film festivals across the world. Also Produced “Who is Responsible” film about global warming and environmental problems in the year of 2019. Played parts and lead roles in more than 40 short films. Took acting classes from Hollywood professionals in New York Film Academy in 2015. Took Meisner acting technique training from Anthony Montes in Hollywood in 2016. Played parts and lead roles in many theatrical works including Romeo Juliet, Dan of Thieves, and Proof. Interviewed on Dante Night Show in 2017. Graduated from Vienna Music Academy and Bilkent Faculty of Music and Performing Arts as a professional concert pianist in 2007. Also graduated from Wheaton College MA with a Bachelors degree in International Relations in 2012. Sena Tunali is a concert pianist and started playing when she was a little kid. For her, Music, Film, Theater, Art, all of them are amazing ways of telling stories. Till her high school age, she spent most of my time telling stories with piano in concerts around the world. However,she always had filmmaking and theater in her heart.
As she states “somehow, I felt half only with music to tell a story. I needed other forms of art makings to feel full at my heart. The art of Filmmaking fascinated me the most because it contains all forms of art in it at some point”.
Currently working on her feature film inspired from a true story named “Zumrut”. It’s about a little girl who is secretly adopted by a family. The Screenplay of Zumrut also won so many awards from prestigious festival across the globe. Also working on her feature film project named Love in Italy, tells a story about two lovers and their struggle to get together. The project discusses true love, so the audience will enjoy a very much emotionally filled scenes. The Screenplay of Love in Italy also won so many awards already from prestigious film festivals across the world.
First and foremost James Storm is a storyteller, an entertainer, and an artist. I am also a lover, a fighter or any one of the many hats I wear on a daily basis. As a Producer I’m often called on to be many different things for many different people. It’s the nature of the beast. Cultivating relationships and making decisions that protect my crew is part of my daily mandate. When all is said and done I would like to be remembered not just as a brilliant filmmaker but also as a loyal friend, a protector of man, and perhaps someone who at least tries to bring love, mercy, and wisdom into the world – especially through film.
-What inspired you to become a filmmaker?
Born a true showman, I started making my movies at the age of six and just never stopped. Had I been born a hundred years ago I’m sure I would have been involved in the theater or more likely the circus. Obsessed with presentation and spectacle I’ve always loved showcasing something new and exciting to an audience. There is no better feeling than blowing peoples minds with a project that no one was expecting. I know if I hear the words (and I often do) “this guy did that!?” I’m doing things right. By the time I graduated high school I already had a plethora of indie films and an expansive creative portfolio. My journey was a very organic one. There never really was a moment of inspiration where I decided to become a filmmaker. As far back as I can remember I always just was one. If anything, my moments of cinematic enlightenment came later when I had to ultimately decide to embrace who I was and, for better or worse, chase my destiny.
-Do you think the cinema can bring a change in the society?
Cinema is arguably the most powerful tool for change in our world today that isn’t a weapon. Even then, Cinema is sometimes used as a weapon. Great cinema is not only the ultimate form of entertainment it also has the power to change hearts and minds. A great film has the power to sway the masses, motivate nations, and even destroy societies. Cinema has been an art form for barely over a hundred years yet history has given us plenty of examples where it was used for good and evil. That is not a power that should be handled lightly and that is why I take my film work a little more seriously than most. Respecting the art form is just the beginning. I would never want to be reckless with the power given to me, even in my humble little corner of the world.
-What would you change in the world?
Everybody wants to change the world, am I right? I’m not sure I would have the qualifications or the hubris to make a universe-altering call like that. Rather, I would like to be given the opportunity to change the world through my work. Arguably it’s the quest of all artists to create something so inspiring, so moving or thought provoking, that you can change the hearts and minds of the masses. Of course that’s what I want, too. Like most artists I don’t want to be forgotten. I want to believe that my work made a difference in this world and I’d like to achieve artistic immortality in one form or another.
-Where do you see the film industry going in the next 100 years?
Considering how fast technology grows exponentially I think we are going to see a merging of art and technology like never before. Currently we are all watching a major revolution take place before our very eyes with the SAG-AFTRA strike in Hollywood. Now that artificial intelligence has entered the scene the playing field has gotten a lot weirder. Nobody knows what to do, especially the studios. Hollywood as we all know it is destroying itself from within and it won’t survive unless it learns to adapt. Will I live to see a day when A.I. wins awards for best screenplay or even best picture? Probably. I’m not holding out much hope for the studios taking the high ground on this one. If they could run the entire production team with A.I., they will. As Hollywood implodes the world is going to have to turn to those creative individuals making Gone with the Wind in their basements. At least for right now, a new golden age for indie films is right around the corner. It’s going to be the independent filmmakers that save our cinematic souls and I hope to be at the forefront of this revolution. This is an awesome era to live in, as an indie filmmaker.
-What‘s next for James Storm?
My next project has been years in the making and is one of the most anticipated projects of my career. It’s a novel and film project titled “WHERE THE DRAGONS SLEEP” (2024). It’s essentially a semi-autobiographical adventure thriller about my crew and I as we navigate indie movie making in what we like to call “dark Hollywood”. Once completed, I’ll be very interested to see what you think of it. Thank you 8&HalFilm Awards and WILD FILMMAKER MAGAZINE for giving me this incredible interview opportunity.
