Bang vs. Steve Balderson

I would like to introduce again my second interview with Director Steve Balderson.I was looking over his resume as I pieced together this interview and I have to say I feel like I have gone on an extraordinary journey. I feel like I walked through different lives as I watched the trailers for his movies. All truly a work of art and extraordinary film making. Please welcome Steve Balderson to Bang Noir...Please check out his movies and if you haven't seen a Balderson film yet, then what are you waiting for...

Steve Balderson First Interview

Stuck! DVD Review

STEVE BALDERSON – BIO 2011 

In a review of Steve’s fifth feature film THE CASSEROLE CLUB, critic MJ Simpson in England writes the film is: “Magnificent, another tour-de-force by the best kept secret in American cinema.” 

THE CASSEROLE CLUB stars Susan Traylor, Daniela Sea, and former Backstreet Boy Kevin Richardson in his film debut. The film premiered in New York City at Visionfest`11 in June collecting 9 Independent Vision Award nominations and winning 5: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor for Kevin Richardson, Best Actress for Susan Traylor, and Best Production Design. 

Steve’s fourth feature was STUCK! (which starred Karen Black, Susan Traylor, Jane Wiedlin, and Mink Stole). The film premiered in October, 2009, at the Raindance Film Festival in London. It then screened as an official selection at Skeive Filmer in Norway, the Seattle LGBT Film Festival, the Southwest LGBT Film Festival, Reeling – Chicago’s LGBT Film Festival, and others. In March, STUCK! screened at the Boston Underground Film Festival where Mink Stole was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award.

Balderson’s third feature film, WATCH OUT, was highly praised by critics as “One of the great cult films of all time.” WATCH OUT also premiered at Raindance to sold-out crowds, where it was nominated for Best International Feature. 

Film Threat writes, Balderson “makes movies that are so gorgeous that it's not unreasonable to say that, cinematographically at least; he's the equal of an Argento or Kubrick in their prime. Some people have perfect vocal pitch, Steve has perfect visual composition.” 

WATCH OUT was released theatrically in 2008 to sold-out audiences in the roadshow “Stop Turning Me On” world tour. It was released on DVD in October 2008, where it debuted at #24 on Amazon.com’s Top 100. 

Roger Ebert gave Balderson's second film, the surrealist crime drama FIRECRACKER (starring Karen Black and Mike Patton) a special jury award on his list of 2005's Best Films. The breathtaking imagery in FIRECRACKER pushed through the limits of cinema, establishing Balderson as one of today’s finest visual storytellers. 

Balderson’s other work includes the critically-acclaimed PHONE SEX (featuring Margaret Cho, Ron Jeremy, Penn Jillette and Lloyd Kaufman), PEP SQUAD (the satire that predicted American school violence), UNDERBELLY (a year in the life of dancer Princess Farhana) and the award-winning WAMEGO documentary series about DIY Filmmaking. If you are unfamiliar with Balderson's movies, you can rent or purchase them almost anywhere in the world. 

Steve is also the subject of a book by author Joe Schaefer. In it, the author writes, “Having a dream and actually sitting down and hashing out how one will achieve it are two different things. Steve Balderson longed to be a filmmaker, so he made it happen. This writer/director/producer just may be the personification of the new American dream.” More information about Steve Balderson can be found on his website Dikenga.com or by searching his name on the internet. 

Awards for Steve Balderson 

* 2011 Visionfest - Winner Best Director Independent Vision Awards (The Casserole Club) 

* 2011 Visionfest - Winner Best Picture Independent Vision Awards (The Casserole Club) 

* 2011 Visionfest - Winner Production Design Independent Vision Awards (The Casserole Club) 

* 2011 Visionfest - Nominee The Abe Schrager Award for Cinematography (The Casserole Club) 

* 2008 Raindance Film Festival - Nominee Best International Feature (Watch Out) 

* 2005 Visionfest - Winner Domani Vision Award (Firecracker) 

* 2005 Visionfest - Winner Best Film (Firecracker) 

* 2005 Visionfest - Winner Best Cinematography (Firecracker) 

* 2005 Fantasporto - Nomination Best Film (Firecracker) 

* 2004 Raindance Film Festival - Jury Prize Nomination Best Film (Firecracker) 

* 2004 Fox Film Festival - Winner Best Film (Wamego: Making Movies Anywhere) 

* 2004 KAN Film Festival - Winner Independent Filmmaker Award (Wamego) 

* 2000 B-Movie Film Festival - Winner Killer-B Award Best Screenplay (Pep Squad) 

* 2000 B-Movie Film Festival - Nomination Killer-B Best Director (Pep Squad) 

* 2000 B-Movie Film Festival - Nomination Killer-B Best Picture (Pep Squad) 

* 2000 B-Movie Film Festival - Nomination Killer-B Best Cinematography (Pep Squad) 

* 2000 B-Movie Film Festival - Nomination Killer-B Best Editing (Pep Squad) 

* 2000 B-Movie Film Festival - Nomination Killer-B Best Set Design (Pep Squad) 

* 1999 Great Plains Film Festival - Best Film Nomination (Pep Squad) 

* 1999 Fantasporto - Nomination Best Film (Pep Squad) 

* 1998 Cannes Film Festival - World Premiere Marché du Film (Pep Squad)

THE INTERVIEW:

WB: Congrats on your shoot for you new movie Culture Shock! I hope everything went well? Can you tell me about the movie?

SB: Culture Shock is about 4 American college grads going abroad for the first time, and getting caught up in an international crime ring.

WB: This is the second film Anthony Pedone has worked on with you. Can you tell me your experience with him? How did you meet?

SB: Anthony and I met after he directed his feature The Why. I gave him advice on marketing and getting it out there. I asked him to then document the making of Casserole Club, and we got along so well, I invited him to come to London to be an assistant cinematographer on Culture Shock. He's an incredibly hard worker, and we get along really well.

WB: I also need to congratulate you on The Casserole Club! I know it showed at Raindance and that is great. Did you think The Casserole Club was going to be as big as it is?

SB: yes. Lol

WB: How did you cast for the film Culture Shock? From my understanding you filmed it in Europe. What was that like?

SB: I cast carefully, just like I do any movie. It's important to me that people all fit the mold, so that at the end of the day we can come together over a meal and enjoy being around each other. There are over 50 actors in Culture Shock, most based in Europe. So Skype was essential throughout the casting an pre-production phase.

WB: Do you have any new projects in the works?

SB: yes, there are two films on the slate and I'm keeping them top secret.

WB: What influences you as a director?

SB: art, travel, and exploring different cultures influence me the most

WB: Do you generally write all your scripts or do you pick them out?

SB: I have written my own movies as well as teamed up with screenwriter Frankie Krainz.

WB: You have (to me and I'm sure with countless others) reinvented the way of making movies. I think it is catching on. How does that make you feel?

SB: hopeful. If more people made movies the way I do, there would be a lot more happiness and less stress out in the world.

WB: Would you call yourself a visionary? Why?

SB: sure. Anyone can be a visionary if they want to be. But it's hard to think differently for a lot of people, so many never get there emotionally. It's much easier to go with the flow and do what everyone else is expecting of you.

WB: If you could change something about the movie industry what would it be?

SB: taking some tips from what happened to the music industry.

WB: Where do you see movie making going? The way studios are making them with large budgets. This is the direction if this question. If you could elaborate a general idea about big budget films compared to smaller budget films that would be great.

SB: there's always a place for gargantuan blockbusters. But when I hear that a film is postponed because they can't figure out how to make it for less than 200million dollars, I laugh out loud.

Once again I would like to thank Mr. Balderson for the interview. I can't wait for his new movie CULTURE SHOCK to come out. I will be posting a review of Casserole Club and Culture Shock so be looking for them as well. Please feel free to leave any comments or questions for Steve. I will make sure he gets them and answers them for you. 

XO

Bang vs Director Anthony Pedone Part Two

The second part to my interview with Director Anthony Pedone. I wanted to talk a little bit about this part of the interview with Anthony Pedone. Again I thank him for answering my questions and giving me a peek inside his life. I tell you that he is an amazing man to know and is an inspiration. Though he may think I am just piling it on, but I truly and honestly feel that he is inspirational. Listening to him speak and tell me about his life and challenges...well it takes guts and acceptance. We learn about a person's background and some people tend to run from what they fear. But to me, I think it takes a brave person to own up to the things they have done in their lives.
Wow, I just read this back to myself and it sounds like I'm about to spill some major shit. Well I'm not, but I feel that it may seem questionable in the nature on ones past compared to their present. That's where the human instinct of "judgement" comes into play. "Judgement" is illegal here on Bang Noir. I leave that part up to higher powers...which ever those powers be. After reading this second part of the interview, I hope that you too feel inspired and realize what you have always wanted to do was only at your finger tips. It is up to you to reach out with your hands and grasp it. We can only leave the bread crumbs for you to follow.

Bang vs Director Anthony Pedone Part One 


Anthony Pedone-Camp Casserole Interview Raindance Film Festival

BIO:

Anthony Pedone was born in Dallas, TX, but spent the formational years of his life on a ranch in Clayton, New Mexico. At 16 he moved back to Texas, studying Music at Southwest Texas University.
In 2005, Pedone received his Certificate in Writing Social Commentary from Penn State University and began experimenting with digital media and filmmaking. In 2008 he Co-founded, Robotic Indifference, and directed his first feature film, The Why. The Why, screened in 6 countries and received Best Avant Garde and Experimental Feature awards at The Great Lake Film Festival, Heart of England Film Festival and Manhattan Film Festival in 2010.
Since Robotic Indifference's conception Anthony has collaborated with an innovative and diverse group of artists-- fulfilling his need to always be creating. Anthony co-produced Steve Balderson's , The Casserole Club, and will join Balderson again to shoot, Culture Shock in the fall of 2011. While on the set of the The Casserole Club, Pedone shot a behind the scenes look at Balderson's streamlined approach to Indie Film making. The documentary is called, Camp Casserole.
Pedone co-produced and appeared in, Little Gods. A conceptual film by director Elizabeth Spear, Little Gods is the first feature film shot and edited on the iPhone4. Spear's has asked Pedone to produce her next feature film, Roundball in Victoria, TX. Shooting begins in July 2011.
Robotic Indifference plans on releasing The Pyrex Glitch for Christmas 2011. TPG is a science fiction comedy, written and directed by Jane Wiedlin.

The Interview (Part Two):

WB: Tell Bang Noir about the movie "Roundball"? Who were some of the actors in the movie? 

AP: Roundball, was a different kind of movie project for me. I was approached by Elizabeth Spear, the Director of the movie, to produce Roundball. I wasn't sure if the movie was for me, so I read the script. And man I have to say it was a very funny script. She [Elizabeth Spear] has a great sense of comedic timing and is able to bring out that humor in the people she directs. She is really a lot of fun. As for some of the actors in the movie...there is Starina Johnson, Shawn Kahone, Todd Sklar, Jane Wiedlin, John Merriman, Todd Spence, and Paul Goetz.

WB: That sounds awesome. So Elizabeth Spear approached you to work on Roundball. Did you work on anything else with her?

AP: I worked on a movie with her called "Little Gods". My contribution to "Little Gods" was considerably small. I had a small role and helped arrange some sfx makeup, but I really fell in love with the concept of shooting with the iphone and with her passion about it. She and I met in France in 2009, and found out we actually live in close proximity in Texas. So we began hanging out then.

WB: Awesome. Well I'm glad you two met. You would have never collaborated on Roundball. 

AP: I agree. She is also my partner in the creation of the film festivals we put together in Texas. 

WB: What is the synopsis of Roundball? 

AP: Roundball is a comedy about a man named Sam Jones who returns to his hometown to train for the NBA with his old 1A high school basketball coach, but things turn out to be a little more than what he expected. The road to the NBA is a tough one. 

Roundball IMDB Page

WB:  What was the atmosphere like on the movie set?

AP: The thing about Roundball, was that we actually reached out to the community. Most of the time you would never get involved with the community to make a movie, but that is what we did. We recruited from the community also when making the film. When casting for the film we used the internet.

WB: The Internet?

AP: Yep. We used the internet via Skype to do most of our casting and used local kids from the area. 

WB: Tell Bang Noir a little about yourself?

AP: HaHa. I was a young pig farmer in NM. That's what my parents did, then. My parents split and I was passed between them. I got in trouble a few times when I would visit my mother in NM, but that is something I grew out of. Well eventually as I got older I went to College and started to learn about music. Since I was introduced to music in high school. I also discovered KISS in high school as well. Yea, those were the days. I saw myself as a rock star. I even started a band with some friends. We opened shows for Overkill. That ended and well in College I was a part of a few other groups, Cornpone was one of them. Then I went to prison and spent five years there. It has been a long trip to this point in my life.

WB: A trip you were meant to take. You wouldn't be who you are today if you never went that route. Who knows what you would be doing. I guess I believe in destiny. 

AP: Well, I had to find myself all over again. I knew I wanted to get back to what I loved. I wanted to make music, which turned into movies. It was a process to rebuild my life.

This concludes the second part of my interview with Director Anthony Pedone. The Third and Final part of the interview will be available soon. Please leave any questions or comments on this interview and I will make sure Anthony gets them...It would be great to have him answer them here on Bang Noir. Thank you. XOXO

Anthony Pedone- Camp Casserole Interview Raindance Film Fesitval

Here is the Raindance Film Festival Interview with Anthony Pedone and Jane Weidlin for his documentary Camp Casserole--Oh and is that a Bang Noir T-shirt he is wearing!! : D It fucking is. 

Bang vs Director Anthony Pedone Part One

I wanted to tell you a little about this interview before I go into the questions. This was an amazing experience to talk with Mr. Pedone about his experience with working on a movie set and well just making movies. The people he has met. And he has met some pretty amazing people. Anthony Pedone has worked on a Steve Balderson film, you may remember this film The Casserole Club. If you don't know what i am talking about, then shame on you! Its a great film. I will post links to past posts I have written about Steve Balderson's The Casserole Club along with the amazing documentary Anthony Pedone did, "Camp Casserole", on the behind the scenes look at the film.  Both of which are being shown in London today, at the Raindance film festival. Okay I blabbered enough. On with the interview...

The Casserole Club movie Trailer

A Review of Anthony Pedone's Documentary "Camp Casserole"

XOXO

ANTHONY PEDONE: 

BIO:

Anthony Pedone was born in Dallas, TX, but spent the formational years of his life on a ranch in Clayton, New Mexico. At 16 he moved back to Texas, studying Music at Southwest Texas University.

In 2005, Pedone received his Certificate in Writing Social Commentary from Penn State University and began experimenting with digital media and filmmaking. In 2008 he Co-founded, Robotic Indifference, and directed his first feature film, The Why. The Why, screened in 6 countries and received Best Avant Garde and Experimental Feature awards at The Great Lake Film Festival, Heart of England Film Festival and Manhattan Film Festival in 2010.
Since Robotic Indifference's conception Anthony has collaborated with an innovative and diverse group of artists-- fulfilling his need to always be creating. Anthony co-produced Steve Balderson's , The Casserole Club, and will join Balderson again to shoot, Culture Shock in the fall of 2011. While on the set of the The Casserole Club, Pedone shot a behind the scenes look at Balderson's streamlined approach to Indie Filmmaking. The documentary is called, Camp Casserole.
Pedone co-produced and appeared in, Little Gods. A conceptual film by director Elizabeth Spear, Little Gods is the first feature film shot and edited on the iPhone4. Spear's has asked Pedone to produce her next feature film, Roundball in Victoria, TX. Shooting begins in July 2011.
Robotic Indifference plans on releasing The Pyrex Glitch for Christmas 2011. TPG is a science fiction comedy, written and directed by Jane Wiedlin.

THE TRAILER:

CAMP CASSEROLE

THE INTERVIEW (PART ONE):


Welcome Anthony to Bang Noir!

WB: First of all Congrats on getting "Camp Casserole" into Raindance Film Festival! Tell us about Raindance and what it's significance is? Where is Raindance held?

AP: Thank you, William. Raindance is held in London, UK and is one of the larger independent film festivals in Europe. Personally it represents a mile stone for me. It's a point on the map. I was released from prison almost five years ago to this date. So I had to come home and rebuild. Being apart of Raindance is an achievement for me in that respect. I worked hard to get to this point and I met some pretty awesome people along the way. I'm grateful for meeting Steve [Balderson] and giving me the opportunity to work on his film The Casserole Club. So being at Raindance is very important to me because it is one step toward a common goal I share with so many others. It represents where I am now in my life.

WB: Very cool. I can understand where you are coming from and I'm sure my readers can too. You seem to be doing a great thing with being apart of Raindance. Where do you see that going?

AP: Wow, immediately when I found out I was thinking about that. I thought about how it is making a movie and when it's all done, the realization that you're the only one who knows about your movie. No one knows it exists. Just you and your network. So you learn to get the word out about your movie or project. You have to become your own press agent so to speak. So I not only have to work on the edits of my film, but promote it too. Which is rewarding when it's all said and done.

WB: Are there any other film festivals you are working on?

AP: I've been working on a film festival in Austen, TX for a few years now. We get people together, get an alcohol sponsor, set up a bar tab and put up a screening room. This year we are going to partner with a magazine a do a pretty big launch. Also we are starting a film festival in Victoria, TX, where we are planning to shoot movies as well.

WB: Wow, you are a busy man.

AP: I am. I have to say this about the whole experience and being apart of Raindance. Raindance is like Kinetic energy. Where it kicks the next phase in. It's all too surreal to me right now. So it's hard to actually put into words. But it's a good feeling.

WB: I bet. It's a recognition and you deserve it. Congrats again to you on this exciting day! I know you worked with Steve Balderson on his movie "The Casserole Club", which spawned your documentary "Camp Casserole". I have to add that it was a great documentary. I really enjoyed it.

AP: Thank you.

WB: Are you working on anything else with Steve Balderson?

AP: Yes, I am actually. Steve is filming his next movie in London, while we are participating in the  Raindance Film Festival. The movie is called "Culture Shock". There is a website called Culture Shock. I can't wait to start filming. It's going to be insane. It's truly going to be run and gun the whole time. Steve has it mapped out down to the minute, so it's going to be incredible.

WB: What's it like working with Steve Balderson?

AP: Wow, Steve is great to work with. He is always thinking about the next picture. He's always thinking about what its going to be. He has impeccable organisation. All in all, Steve's a machine. You have to admire that.

***This concludes the first part of my interview with Anthony Pedone*** Check back for Part Two very soon. and please feel free to leave any comments or questions on this blog. I will see to it that they get answered.

Anthony Pedone Website

A Review of Anthony Pedone's Documentary "Camp Casserole"

“CAMP CASSEROLE”

Anthony Pedone gives us an intimate look behind the scenes of a movie set. “Camp Casserole” is an entertaining joy ride into movie making, with Director Steve Balderson at the wheel. What kind of Camp is “Camp Casserole”, you ask? Is there a membership needed or can anyone join? Well before you can get started down the road on this journey, you have to ask yourself: What is family?

Family: is a group of individuals who co-exist with one another over an extended period, which is the basis of what Anthony Pedone’s documentary “Camp Casserole” shows us.  A group of actors, cameramen, grips, scriptwriters, etc are all assembled by Director Steve Balderson for his new movie “The Casserole Club”. Steve Balderson assembles only the best to join his family…the best meaning his instincts are sharp in making the family fit. While watching the documentary you will laugh, become excited and emotional as you follow this band of actors through their daily lives as they make a movie.  You feel yourself wanting to be a part of the high jinks and closeness each person has with one another. Anthony Pedone reveals to us that they all live together, cook for each other, and take care of one another. 

“Camp Casserole” takes you behind “The Casserole Club” telling you where the story came from, as screenwriter Frankie Krainz and actor Susan Traylor talk about the story and how it turned into the movie it is today.  You then have Jane Wiedlin, who is the fun loving prankster of the group. You are also taken on a special trip of “Gorilla filmmaking” which takes you out of town so they can record actor Starina Johnson screaming.  To round out the group you have Nic Roewert, Mark Booker, Pleasant Gehman, Garrett Swan, Michael Maize, Kevin Richardson and Daniela Sea, each of who share their feelings on what Steve Balderson is doing for the movie industry and their thoughts on the future. As “Camp Casserole” closes, you do not want it to end. You want the fun and the movie making to continue…and actually, you know deep down inside that, the ending was only the beginning.

“Camp Casserole” is an excellent documentary directed by Anthony Pedone.  His honest portrayal of the inner workings of making a movie tug and pull at you allowing you to form a bond with everyone in the documentary. I loved the documentary so much that I actually watched it three times.  You come away feeling—wishing that you were a part of this theatre family. And honestly, if you’ve seen it…then you are.