“Unredeemable”
GN: I wanted to perform as an actor initially. I went to Naropa university studying performance art and Body Psychology, really having no idea how it would help or hinder me as an actor. I was lucky enough to get a job teaching acting at Colorado Film School (foolish on their part as I had so little experience) While there, I became fascinated with production management, assistant directing specifically. I am addicted to being on set figuring out how to fix impossible situations. Only after putting in some years as an AD did I realize that the combination of a history as an actor, acting teacher, as well as an AD set me up well to be a director.
Q: What are we going to see at the EFP? Has it screened elsewhere and what are your plans for it?
GN: “Unredeemable” is a pilot concept by Jim Sea, Writer and Producer. The story engine asks this question about sex offenders. Can they be redeemed, especially the most twisted, or should we lock them up and throw away the key. When working with Jim, he encouraged me in creatively pulling from gripping television dramas like Luther or Breaking Bad. The plans are to pitch this pilot to television and online content creators with an end goal on green lighting a series.
Q: What else are you working on?
GN: Currently, I am experimenting on a feature development in which the main actors are creating characters first then the writer and I design the story that holds all of them. I contacted 10 actors who really blew my hair back in either auditions for “Unredeemable” or other projects I have seen or worked on. I have no idea if this will work but I am excited by the dream cast that I know would electrify every scene.
Q: Tell us one weird thing about you and/or your movies?
GN: Well I really have not made enough to know a particular style yet as Unredeemable is the first to make it out of post production. Okay, here is a strange one for you. So I am ADing on this film that was a shit show of immense proportions. It had no business making it to post. Day 4 of the 11 day shoot, the director threw away the script because he knew it was a disaster. Nathan Trumbull, the script supervisor and a god amongst mortals as far as filmmaking goes, locked himself away and wrote a new script in a day. The director allowed me to co-direct the new script and somehow… we survived to get to post. At the wrap party, the crew signed a dildo(it was a story prop) and presented me with said dildo, ala a knighting coronation. Best gift I have ever gotten on set.
Q: Where can people go to find out more about you and your work?
GN: I am horrible at self-promotion so best place to find me is FB. As far as “Unredeemable” please go check out Breaking The Cycle films at http://www.brcyfi.com/. Jim is always doing good work over there, especially the screenplay competition.
Q: Is there anything you’d like to say about The Emerging Filmmakers Project?
GN: I’ve been suggesting for a long time now that filmmakers here in Denver need to submit their stuff to EFP. Now the shitty thing is, I have never come out to see an event as I am a homebody, recluse, curmudgeon. Looks like I am a full fledged convert now.
Unredeemable will screen on October 15th at the Emerging Filmmaker’s Project.