BUCKETS

INTERVIEW ANSWERS BY:  Todd Serlin – Writer/Producer and Nick Simon - Director

Indie Express: Tell us about your film?

BUCKETS is the story of a man’s struggle, his gift of music, and the choice he makes between taking the easy way out and doing what is true to him.  Kamel is dynamic street performer whose  life is just as dramatic as his performances.  Music feeds his soul.  When everything else begins to crumble around him, all there is left is the music.  A slice of life portrait of a real Hollywood street musician. 

IE: How did you come up with the idea for the film?

 Todd:  I met the lead actor (Bruce Cherry) while filming a project in my first year at AFI.  Bruce was then playing the buckets outside of Mann Theaters at Hollywood and Highland.  We developed a friendship, and when it came time for me to consider my AFI thesis project, I developed the script for BUCKETS – based on a character drawn from Bruce’s experiences as a street musician.

IE: How did you assemble your production team?

Todd:    The principal team all came from our AFI class.  This was our thesis project.  Several key crew members also came from AFI.  The rest were friends and general industry contacts who liked the concept and came onboard to assist us.

IE: How did you find your cast? 

Todd:    I wanted to cast non-professional actors.  Because this was a “street story,” the director and I felt that using non-professional actors would add a greater sense of realism to the story.  Bruce was the perfect choice for the role of Kamel.  When I was scouting locations, one of the location Owners, Andreas Cardini seemed a great fit for the character of Manny. 

IE: How long did the film take?  (From conception to final edit)

Todd: The AFI process begins in the spring of the program’s first year.  The second year is for development and all the stages of physical production.  BUCKETS took a little over a year through post production.

IE: Tell us a little about your process of directing (writing) this film.

Todd on writing:  At first, the writing was very easy.  As more and more creative people attached to the project, writing can become more challenging.  I am a firm believer of loose outlining.  Knowing your characters lies at the heart of telling any good story.  I spend time on the characters before writing the first word.  This helps me avoid over thinking how a character should be while I am actually writing.

Nick:  Directing the film was a real challenge.  Using all non-professional actors and in many cases the real people proved to be quite interesting.  I found that using the script not as a bible but as a template to the world and the characters helped bring an authenticity to the characters.  Making the language their own.  I also wanted Los Angeles to be a character in the film.  Giving it a different look than the Hollywood glamour.  

IE: What was the most difficult part of the shoot for you?

Todd:  The actual shoot went smoothly.  Pre-production was the most difficult part of making this film.    There were many obstacles and at times it seemed that people were against the project.  The AFI thesis process can be a tough experience.  Ultimately, as a team, we overcame the obstacles and proved the potential of this project.

Nick:  I think that the rehearsals were somewhat difficult.  Trying to really hone in on the characters and making sure that they were not the typical cliché.   Again, Bruce is the real guy.  So once we figured out to let him do his own thing.  The process became much easier.  By the time we went into shooting the film.  It went real smooth.  Bruce was always on.  He was playing himself.

IE: Any particular moments from filming that stand out for you?

 Nick:  I think all of it.  I remember it being the smoothest shoot I’ve ever been on.  I spent a lot of time with Bruce in pre-production and watching him interact with people as he preformed for money on Hollywood Blvd.  It is absolutely necessary to do all the research you can before tackling subject matter such as this.

IE: Tell us about the film’s festival experience so far?

Todd:  AFI FEST is the first festival we submitted the film to.  We are thrilled to have been selected and the staff has been incredibly professional and welcoming.  We hope AFI FEST will set the momentum for BUCKETS on the festival circuit.

IE: What are you most looking forward to at the AFI festival?

 Nick:  It’s always exciting to see your film projected on the big screen.  Especially shorts.  It’s real exciting just to be selected to screen in such a prestigious festival.

IE: What has been your most interesting Q&A so far?  What was your favorite question?  How was the dialogue afterwards?

 Nick:  We don’t screen until Nov. 7. 

IE: What films or filmmakers inspire you?

 Nick:  I love everything.  I am a huge genre nerd.  That’s always the worst question for a filmmaker.  I get inspired from everything.  I can watch films I hate and still get something out of it.

IE: What made you decide to become a filmmaker?

  Todd:  I left a career in finance desiring a more “creative” profession.  Narrative storytelling always interested me.  I closed my eyes and jumped in, thanks in part to AFI accepting me into the Conservatory.

Nick:  When I was a little kid I watched Escape From New York on HBO.  That was it.  I think I was in 2nd grade.  I knew then that was all I wanted to do.  I worked professionally as a director in the Midwest for 5 years before applying to AFI.  Mostly in commercials and music videos.

 IE: What is next for you? 

Todd: I am currently developing the feature extension to BUCKETS -- a gritty Hip Hop story set in New York City.  I have a number of other scripts that I am currently developing.

Nick:  I have two features that we are trying to get off the ground to shoot in 2009.  Also, I’d love to direct Todd’s feature version of Buckets

IE: What is next for the film?

Todd:  Hopefully it will get a nice festival run and get packaged for distribution.

IE: If asked to give one piece of advice to a new filmmaker making their first short film… What would it be?

Todd:  Be fearless and always ultra passionate about your project no matter what obstacles stand in your way.  Enthusiasm is infectious.