How did you start this project. How long did it take from the initial idea to have it finished?

This project – the idea of it – started in June or July of 2022. Our executive producer, Chuckie Duff, wanted to make some mini-docs about different restaurants in the Phoenix, AZ area that some of his partners were opening up. I pitched him a longer form series and Uncanny Valley was born, with Belly Kitchen & Bar being our premiere episode.

 

Has it been a self-financed project or did you find private financing?

Prefer not to answer.

 

Many filmmakers finance the entire project, finishing it in their spare time while studying or working etc. This makes it a very wear-and-tear process and takes a long time to finish. Even many of these projects never end up being assembled. In your case, how has the process been? For my projects, I work to ensure there is a budget and the resources necessary from the beginning to be able to complete the project. I’ve had projects where this was not the case – I feel that it can be very demoralizing. Therefore, I work to have the budget from the beginning as it helps to get people on board and show them that project will be finished and we’ll be able to show it to the world.

 

At what point is the project in terms of festivals? Tell us a little about your experience in festivals and what you expect from festivals for this project.

We did a small festival run last fall and the beginning of this year (2023). We got very good responses from many of the festivals, and won a series of small festivals in the documentary/documentary short categories before premiering the episode online for the public viewing.

 

Tell us the best moment and the worst experienced during the process of finishing the project. The best moment was the production. Seeing the crew we assembled come together to bring the creative vision to life was awesome. Additionally, being able to work in the restaurants and observe our subjects was a privilege. They were so giving and welcoming to having our team there, despite the fact that they were opening up a brand new location. They gave us full, unbridled access and I feel that really showcases who they are and shines through in the final product. There really was not a “worst” moment on this project. Maybe the first rough cut? The first cut for anything always sucks and can be discouraging. But knowing that helps to ease the pain and allowed us to dial in on how to make this something people would enjoy. 

 

Do you have any other project in mind? If so, can you tell us something?

Yes, currently I am in post-production on a series of short suspense/thriller films, as well as a lifestyle drama short film. Additionally, we are in post-production on the next two episodes of Uncanny Valley where we focus on a Natural Wine Bar and a couple of Mexican restaurants from a Phoenix chef who is a local legend.

 

What do you expect from a film festival? Where do you think they should improve?

Different film festivals have different things to offer. I think this question would need to be geared to a specific festival to be able to answer it well.

 

Now we would like to know more about you.

 

How did you start in the cinema?

I watched the Lord of the Rings when I was 7 and fell in love with what movies could do and what they could be. From there, I made home movies with my brothers and friends, before making more serious projects through high school where we started to get into festivals and win some awards. I then attended film school and business school simultaneously and began working with non-profits to create brand films. From there I ventured into the commercial world, while writing and producing narrative work on the side. Today, I own a production company (Odd Galaxy) where we create commercial, documentary, and narrative films of all kinds.

 

How do you define yourself as a filmmaker? Your best virtue and your worst flaw?

I love the collaboration of filmmaking. As a producer, my job is to make people’s visions come to life with the resources that are available. I love the collaborative aspect of assembling a team and watching them execute the plan.

As a director, I enjoy getting into the details of a project with my department heads… together we can problem solve and find the best way to tell a story.

 

What percentage do you dedicate to? This completely depends on the production. It changes constantly.

-Production/location:

-Work with actors

-Planning of the shots with the director of photography:

-Art/costume:

-Sound design:

-Editing:

-Soundtrack:

 

Tell me three favorite movies

The Godfather Part 2

The Lord of the Rings Trilogy

When Harry Met Sally

 

And directors?

Christopher Nolan

Steven Spielberg

Spike Lee

 

For you, a good movie should have:

Originality. I want to see something I haven’t experienced before. It doesn’t have to be drastically different and new, but I love when a familiar plot point, genre, character, etc. is subtly twisted to be something/someone unique and give new insight into the familiar.