Archive for the Category »Interviews «
Chase Bailey is not only an amazing director, writer and producer – he is a painter as well. He just had his work shown in Miami and around the world in a traveling international art show centered around the Dalai Lama. In this interview segment he talks about his art.
Camera/Film Work and Editing by Amy Greenlaw, Film POP!
Interviewer: Leslie Poston, Film POP!
See the full 30+ minute interview on the Viddler channel (scheduled to post there during the NH Film Festival).
The film had three adorable child stars, played by Noa Siegel (Morgan), Eliya-Quaye Constance (Bailey) and Gina Pardi (Girl). We had a chance to sit down with them at the wrap party and find out about their first film experience, how it was to work with Chase, as well as see their secret handshake and hear about the “cuss jar” on set. Too much fun!
Camera/Film Work and Editing by Amy Greenlaw, Film POP!
Interviewer: Leslie Poston, Film POP!
We sat down in Chase’s office and talked with Chase about some of the questions we’ve gotten from the fans of the film, and had a fantastic afternoon learning about his take on the process. In this episode Chase talks about how he cast the film and how he found his crew family.
Camera/Film Work and Editing by Amy Greenlaw, Film POP!
Interviewer: Leslie Poston, Film POP!
See the full 30+ minute interview on the Viddler channel (scheduled to post there during the NH Film Festival).
And so it was that I was scheduled to be an extra for Crooked Lane on a sunny Monday morning on the 6th of July 2009. I was to be a waiter, so the role called for me to wear a black button-up shirt and a pair of black slacks. So there I was, with about twenty other souls on Commercial Alley in downtown Portsmouth; ready for my close-up or, if you will, my fifteen seconds of fame. The scene was to be shot in CAVA, a nice tapas restaurant that was closed especially for the cast and crew. Lights, equipment, cables, boxes and what-have-you filled the interior of the establishment where, just last night, diners sat and ate mouth-watering dishes with tasty cocktails.
Lest this turn into an advertisement for CAVA’s wares, I need to stress how much time, work, care, and detail goes into the making of a motion picture (no matter how short said film is). I feel that the vast majority of people who go to the cinema are completely unaware as to how much sweat goes into the process!
And it was a sunny Monday morning. One thing prospective extras need to keep in mind is the fact that, true to the job title, one is an extra. One shows up at the time specified. One either wears what they’re told they need to wear, or they bring a series of clothing that might be called for during the shoot by the coordinator. One signs in. And, inevitably, one waits. That is, in essence, what an extra does. They wait.
“Extras. They’re so patient. They sit, and they wait. That’s what these people are: Extras. Extra people,” noted Peter Falk in Wim Wenders’ seminal film Wings of Desire.
Patience is a virtue. But – but! – sooner or later during the shooting, a coordinator will glance in your direction, give you the much-sought-after thumbs-up, and you will receive your instructions from the assistant director, in this case, one Scott Kirkley. This is one of the aspects of filmmaking that a lot of (actually, most) movie viewers take for granted. Sometimes, in a dark theatre, watching the action unfold in front of you on the big screen gives one a sense that it was just put there, and that something akin to magic had put together all the action, acting, lighting, editing, music, dubbing, and sound-mixing. Being an extra on the set of even a short film will disabuse you of that notion, once and for all!
Alas, my fifteen seconds of fame were not to be – such is the fickle nature of being an extra. HOWEVER, as I sat in the hot July sun (getting a little sunburn on the side as well), I had the opportunity to witness an amazing scene unfold before me in the middle of the packed and quite busy alleyway.
The scene in question featured Jessica Webb and Ann Cusack, who play sisters who find themselves in the midst of a supernatural kidnapping. The sun had started its wayward dip over the lip of the alleyway, and the breeze kicked up a little, cooling us down. Director Chase Bailey had set down a large flat piece of wood, and delivered a beautiful, emotional scene where, after Ms Cusack’s character thinks she’s seen her long-lost daughter outside a restaurant, she has a breakdown and collapses into the arms of her sister, played by Ms Webb.
A dolly was set up to circle the actors in a 180-degree arc and was manually controlled by D.P. Patrick Ruth.
This scene was filmed at least three times, each take ratcheting up the emotions the scene called for from its talented actors.
It was breathtaking to witness – the magic of movie-making encapsulated in this one particular moment in time. Hell, I’d even forgotten about my missing fifteen seconds of fame, I was so impressed. Even better, when I got a chance to watch a rough cut of the film, I was able to see the scene in question. I thought to myself, I witnessed that scene being filmed, and it looks bloody awesome.
So anyway, if you ever do get a chance to be an extra on a production, I would recommend that you jump at the opportunity. You might not end up being able to see yourself on the big screen for your fifteen seconds, but something more important than that will be realized.
Keep your eyes and ears open, and you too can witness the awesome power and magic of the movie-making process. And that, my friends, is fun!
Local actress Adrienne Montezinos on her motivation behind her role, and the experience of playing Dr Leder in the film:
As you work in the film business you’re often taken away from your family for great lengths of time. When you have the opportunity to not only work with a group of filmmakers that you consider family but to also have your family involved in a project it is quite interesting!
When we first began the process of our film CROOKED LANE there were time obstacles for me to be involved during principal photography. I told Chase I could produce that part of the film in absentia and that by bringing in Greg Smith to produce he would have an extension of me. Smitty and I have worked together for 15 years. We’re as close as most brothers and fight like it sometime (come on, he’s a Yankees fan) !!! Chase also suggested to my wife Bethany that she should co-produce the film. She resisted at first from what I believe was fear of the unknown. Bethany has had a long career in the film business but she had never ventured into the production side. Once she agreed I was duly excited. We’ve always talked about our various projects and deals but this would be the first time we would work together.
Now that was the easy part of working with the family……
When we began the casting process Chase and Bethany were going to work closely together with our Casting Director, John Campanello. Chase began by asking Bethany if she had any dark haired 9 year olds on her roster of actors. Immediately she looked at Chase quizzically and said, “Well yes, I gave birth to one”. That 9 year old was our daughter Eliya-Quaye! So the casting began moving forward enough so that Chase asked me if I was ok with Eliya-Quaye playing the part of Bailey. My response as always was “to do what’s best for the film and if she’s is best then I’m all for it” and “don’t do it for Bethany or I”.
Eliya-Quaye eventually was cast as Bailey. As much as Mommy was involved she really did it all on her own. Bethany and I were very proud of her although we knew the hardest part was yet to come!
As I’ve said, I was producing in absentia for most of principal photography so…
Jumping ahead I had these crazy thoughts. Not only was I the executive producer of the film, I was the father of one of the three young girls who were cast in the film. The first time I saw the edit of the film I was watching as a dad and couldn’t believe the emotion I felt in watching Eliya-Quaye. That was my little one up there on the monitors!!! I hope you’ll like what she’s done on screen!
There is the adage about ‘don’t blink because your kids will be adults’ and is so true. I spent a lot of Eliya-Quaye’s(and our 6 year old son Caleb’s) early life on the road. At times, the family packed it up and came to Nashville, Miami, Los Angeles or wherever the job took me. As the kids grew to begin school the idea of leaving was something I didn’t want to think about. The idea that we would one day work together was something I never thought would happen either!! Try it sometime, it might be the thrill of a lifetime!
Thanks,
John Campanello, owner of Between Gigs casting agency here in NH, was instrumental in casting the film Crooked Lane. He also played the part of the Maître d’ in the film! Here is John’s take on both casting the film and getting to play a role as well:
Bethany Constance wore many hats on the film Crooked Lane, including co-producer, casting and coaching the child actors in the film.
Eliya-Quaye Constance played the role of evil character Bailey in the film Crooked Lane, and played it well. In this video she talks briefly about her first speaking role with us:
Brian spent some time in the editing studio telling us about the hearse scene and the visual effects involved in getting it in the can for Crooked Lane:
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