THE TRAGEDY OF MISTER GEPPETTO - A film by J. Anthony Gonzales (cinealma)

cinealma

Veteran
Cine Alma Pictures presents

The Tragedy of Mister Geppetto
A film by J. Anthony Gonzales



First concept poster:

1196200074.jpg
 
Last edited:
A friend of mine, John D'John, thought it would be a good idea to do a number of interviews "for the record" while I work on my next project. This basically is to cover my work on the Pathomania feature, but I thought it might be nice to do some Q&A about this project as well. I will post his transcriptions when I get them in lieu of keeping a thread journal or the like. So, without further ado...

***********************************************************

INTERVIEW #1 - December 2nd, 2007 - Camarillo, CA

JD: Congratulations on the "Creative Vision" award for Pathomania during the last DVX User Film Festival.

Gonzales: Thanks. My wife told me that if I was ever going to win anything for one of these contests, that was going to be one. (laughs)

JD: So what did you win?

Gonzales: A neat little LED light set-up made for video cameras. I don't actually own a video camera, so I'll keep it in my kit and use it as an inky or something. It's a nice little kit. Very generous prize.

JD: How is the feature coming along?

Gonzales: Which one? (laughs) Um, well, I believe you are referring to Pathomania, right?

JD: Yes.

Gonzales: Welp, I just finished making the upgrades to my computer. For the DVX fest, I did the film in standard definition. But for the larger project, I am going to be working in HD.

JD: 720 or 1080?

Gonzales: I haven't decided yet. I still have some system tests to do.

JD: Get that render farm powered up!

Gonzales: Uh, no. Still ghetto. Now it's just ghetto HD. (smiles)

JD: And you will be finished...

Gonzales: I am shooting for Fall 2008. But time will always tell.

JD: So let's talk about some of your other projects.

Gonzales: Ok, but this could take all night. (laughs)

JD: Well, then, let's narrow it down to this Lovers Festival thing.

Gonzales: Love Fest.

JD: Yes, the DVX User Love Fest.

Gonzales: I'm working on a film called "The Tragedy of Mister Geppetto".

JD: A Pinnochio movie?

Gonzales: (laughs) The obvious question. This is not an adaptation or anything like that. It's more like my own Pinnochio story. Character names and some of the overall ideas are the same, but the story and the theme is much different.

JD: Darker?

Gonzales: Of course.

JD: So what's it about?

Gonzales: It's about the fragility of a child's love for a parent. I feel that it is a very fine line you walk between being the greatest parent in the world and being the worst-- in the heart of a child, I mean.

JD: You are a parent yourself.

Gonzales: Yes. I have five kids.

JD: All boys, no less.

Gonzales: Right. The youngest, who are about to turn two, are twins.

JD: The ER twins.

Gonzales: Yep. I was upset that they got into IMDB before I did. And their resume, like, takes up the whole damn screen. (laughing)

JD: Ok, so back to the film. Is this going to be a narrative piece or more experimental?

Gonzales: There is a straight forward story. Very little dialogue, but definitely a story you can grasp onto and follow.

JD: I know you have a love for black and white films. Will this one be in black and white?

Gonzales: I haven't decided yet. But if I do color, it's going to be very muted. Something like what the Polish brothers did with Northfork.

JD: Are you using a Panasonic DVX again?

Gonzales: Another undecided. That's my fall back camera. Right now it's down to three different cameras: a 35mm handcranked Russian camera, Super-8 or the DVX. The first two is all about budget.

JD: Wow, 35mm handcranked. That seems a little crazy.

Gonzales: Yes, well... And if I can only get my hands on an anamorphic lens.

JD: Do you have a cast in place?

Gonzales: Mostly. Paul Whitehead will be playing Geppetto and some of my boys will be in it. There are a few smaller bits that need to be filled but I have people in mind.

JD: Paul is in a lot of your films, correct?

Gonzales: Yes, he's like my Johnny Depp is to Tim Burton. (smiles) He's really a terrific actor. I was very fortunate to have our paths cross. I hope to have a very long and continued working relationship with him.

JD: Quickly, let's get a little more info about you.

Gonzales: Ok.

JD: Born and raised?

Gonzales: Born in Los Angeles. Raised all over Southern California. Junior High and High School I lived in Burbank.

JD: They have a nice mall.

Gonzales: Wasn't there when I was growing up. We used to have to take the bus to North Hollywood or Glendale in order to go see a movie.

JD: Who are your influences?

Gonzales: Oh, one of those kind of questions. Well, let me see... I'll stick to film and give you some filmmakers whose work inspires me. First off the top would definitely be Bergman. Fellini, of course. Godard. Cassavetes. Scorsese. Does this list sound pretentious?

JD: No, not at all. Not coming from you. I've seen your DVD collection.

Gonzales: Two films that gave me that kick in the ass to really want to make films were Spike Lee's "She's Gotta Have It" and Jim Jarmusch's "Stranger Than Paradise". Robert Rodriguez's "El Mariachi" made me believe I could do it.

JD: Any more "greats"?

Gonzales: Tarkovsky. Polanski. Spielberg to some degree I guess.

JD: What about obscure or niche directors?

Gonzales: I'm a big Almodovar fan. Mike Leigh, especially "Life is Sweet" and "Naked". Figgis interests me in some strange way.

JD: What about David Lynch?

Gonzales: I think that goes without saying. But I feel he transcends film. A true artist and a true original.

JD: I agree. I look forward seeing the film.

Gonzales: Thank you very much.

JD: Thanks for the interview and we will talk again soon.

Gonzales: You got it.

***********************************************************
 
Back
Top