I have been thinking about this question for a couple days now and I’m stumped. I’m really happy with Momma’s Man and I think extra cash, time… a bit extra of anything could have just fucked it up. Whatever limitations there were — and I had an enormous amount of freedom on this one — were helpful as far as I can see. Sorry if this wasn’t the answer you were looking for, but for me it’s the truth. [PREMIERE SCREENING: Friday, Jan. 18, 11:30 am — Library Center Theatre, Park City]
by Jason Guerrasio on Jan 18, 2008If I could have had 10 percent more of anything it would have been days off! We worked 6 and 7-day weeks on this film ever since production started in May 2006 and haven’t stopped. And believe me, looking for the most wanted man on earth and traveling for months at a time to some of the most dangerous places in the world (all while having a pregnant wife at home), is not the best recipe for a stress-free job. [PREMIERE SCREENING: Monday, Jan. 21, 8:30 pm — Library Center Theatre, Park City]
by Jason Guerrasio on Jan 18, 2008While filming Assassination there were times when the chatter of my thoughts and the cacophony of the set drowned out my instincts’ pleas. When this happened, the result was always the same: The movie and I would suffer. But when I listened, out came the gifts. I acknowledged this, I even wrote “INSTINCT” on my finger so I was reminded every time I typed, framed a shot, or gestured to an actor. But still there were times I forgot to listen.So please, make my instincts louder, or make me a better listener, and then I’ll have all the time and […]
by Jason Guerrasio on Jan 18, 2008At the risk of sounding unoriginal I’m gonna have to go with time. I’m sure everyone wishes they had more time but I had no idea how little time I would have to shoot this movie. The budget was about five times the budget of my previous film, XX/XY, (which isn’t saying much since we made XX for about 37 cents) but on XX I had about 50 percent MORE time. We had more days and on XX the days were longer by about 35 percent. This was because XX was nonunion and August was [IATSE] East Coast Council. It’s […]
by Jason Guerrasio on Jan 18, 2008A defining moment in the making of American Son was when the financing fell through four weeks before production. Six months of preproduction and planning evaporated with one phone call. That disappointment forced me to dig deeper and commit to making the film by whatever means necessary. In hindsight it was the best thing that could have happened. After digesting the initial disappointment, I was suddenly reconnected to the initial inspiration that was the genesis of the film. I felt like I was back in control of the creative process — it was from that moment on that the film […]
by Jason Guerrasio on Jan 18, 2008It took me a few moments to really find the most specific and significant answer to this idea. In my experience on this particular film, I have to respond by saying that if I had 10 percent more of anything, it would definitely be AVAILABILITY. Since I have the most sincere and genuine respect for all positions regarding the many aspects of filmmaking, it was my duty as a multiple player on this production to wear many different hats. Serving proudly as the screenwriter, director, actor and producer (among others) on this film had some serious consequences. The most important […]
by Jason Guerrasio on Jan 18, 2008How do you make a small film about the American economy, the federal government and where they’re both heading? And more importantly, how do you make it appealing to a general audience? How do you make people care about it? As I write this we are five weeks away from our world premiere at Sundance ‘08, and we’re still asking ourselves these questions. We’re still trying to find the heart of this story, and the challenge is made greater since we’re trying to hit a moving target. This story literally changes every day. Our country is remarkably resilient and has […]
by Jason Guerrasio on Jan 18, 2008Days. It’s always about time in terms of shooting, especially on a smaller budget. I usually move pretty fast when I’m shooting. I like the energy, but I don’t like to be rushed. Being on a set is a fluid environment. Sometimes you will move faster than expected and sometimes (most times) you will move slower. So whenever you have a little safety/time cushion it’s always a good thing. It allows for a bit more creative discovery along the way. [PREMIERE SCREENING: Wednesday, Jan. 23, 9:30 pm — Eccles Theatre, Park City]
by Jason Guerrasio on Jan 18, 2008I’d need 10 percent more time, not only in front of the camera, but for my family. Becoming a father of Valter, 15 months, and at the same time being a first-time feature film director is hard. I long for time alone, time with my girlfriend, Anna, time with my son, time to write, time to watch more films, time to sleep and time for exercise. [PREMIERE SCREENING: Friday, Jan. 18, 9:00 pm — Egyptian Theatre, Park City]
by Jason Guerrasio on Jan 17, 2008My first thought was I wished I had an additional 10 percent of everything! As an independent filmmaker, I don’t think you ever feel like there’s enough time or money or resources. You always feel like you need just a little more. In the end it’s about finding creative ways to make what you do have go that extra 10 percent… and it’s about making choices and compromises that hopefully don’t hurt the film. As we traveled around the world filming I never felt ready to leave one location and go on to the next. You can’t help but wonder […]
by Jason Guerrasio on Jan 17, 2008