TRANNY MCGUYVER Directed By Vaughn Verdi
WHO ANSWERED THE QUESTIONAIRE: Willam Belli, writer/producer/star
Indie Express: Tell us about your film?
Willam: Tranny McGuyver is about 3 cops trying to make Los Angeles (but not the Valley because Cher got mugged there in Clueless) a better place. Watch as our heroes tackle pimps, hoes and the evilest of backroom vaginal rejuvenation/veterinary technicians the criminal underworld has to offer.
IE: How did you come up with the idea for the film?
I was in a rock musical and I mopped up a whole bottle (8oz.) of spilled beer with a wig and lace skirt. Someone called me a genius and the inspiration for Tranny McGuyver was born.
IE: How did you assemble your production team?
W: My director unfortunately assembled a crackpot team of people who had no idea what they were doing. I ended up over budget by double. It was a 4 day shoot. The first 2 days had no usable sound and required $1000 worth of dubbing. The last 2 days required over $2500 worth of color correction.
IE: How did you find your cast?
W: The film was cast by G. Charles Wright, who cast That 70’s Show for 8 years. He brought most of the actors to the table and did an amazing job!
IE: How long did the film take? (From conception to final edit)
W: The film took about 4 months from script to filming to final packaging that I can mail away.
IE: Tell us a little about your process of directing (writing) this film.
W: I found the writing process easy because I was writing for myself or actors I had worked with previously. I knew what I envisioned in my head too so working with a director who would say “let’s just get this for coverage” even though I KNEW in the final edit we wouldn’t use was frustrating. I had to pull rank a lot.
IE: What was the most difficult part of the shoot for you?
W: The most difficult part of the shoot was trusting people to do a job that you knew you could do better. Also, trying to make sure my beard didn’t show through my foundation.
IE: Any particular moments from filming that stand out for you?
W: Wrangling a live baby, 2 eager chicken a cat for one scene was hellacious.
IE: Tell us about the film’s festival experience so far?
W: So far, the response has been good. Many straight film fests are embracing it because it’s not gay funny, it’s across the board funny. Very Police Academy. Not getting into Frameline, Outfest and the New Fest was kinda a kick in the pants though. I don’t know if it’s because there was no other programming to group it with or if they just hated it. I know they took shorts about saving downtrodden gay bars and like Navajo spirit lesbians so maybe it just wasn’t a serious enough topic for the PC gays.
IE: What are you most looking forward to at the festival?
W: I hope there’s funnel cake. Also, I’d like to win something.
IE: What films and filmmakers inspire you?
W: My most inspiring film is the old Dirty Harry movies and James Bond. It’s all so slick even when it’s gritty. Plus I love Animal House type of bawdiness.
IE: What made you decide to become a filmmaker?
W: There was a shortage of roles for a drag queen so I decided to make my own breaks.
IE: What is next for you?
Hopefully a feature length version of Tranny McGuvver. Maybe TMcG 2: The Wreckoning!
IE: What is next for the film?
W: I hope it wins awards and gets some sort of distribution so I can afford to pay the actors what they were actually worth.
IE: If asked to give one piece of advice to a new filmmaker making their first short film… What would it be?
W: Make lists and check stuff off one at a time. It’ll make all the tasks seem less daunting.
IE: What films currently on the festival circuit are you fans of?
I’m a fan of the short film 3-Way and short film Casting Pearls.
IE: What question would you like to be asked about your film? And Why? What is the answer?
W: The question I’d like most be asked about my film is “How can I show your film at my festival and where can I see the future full length film?” Mostly, so I can segeway into talking about me and fish for compliments.