Straight-Jacket Guerrilla Film Festival will be screening Letters For Annie
How did you get into making films?
I’m an accidental filmmaker. You see — I’m actually an author. What I wanted to do is something different that not many do today. I don’t just write screenplays then film it. What I do instead is write my original novel and then turn my work into a screenplay and then film it. I’m also the director and producer for my films. My website is www.McGeeProductions.us.
*What inspired you to make your movie?
By nature I’m a writer. When I write I want to share with the viewers on what I see visually. This started in 2017 after writing the novel — The White House Is Fake (www.TheWhiteHouseIsFake.com.) I felt I wanted to share the story visually so we filmed some promotion clips in a real police station, airport, and under the highway. Ever since we have been filming my work.
*How has your style evolved?
In 2018; my first feature was Letters For Annie and after filming I’ve learned some gaps and holes to improve on moving forward. For example take more than just 2/3 takes — more footage is better. We ran into an issue with one particular scene and could have been edited if more clips or angles were seen. I typically like to have at least two cameras on all scenes; where in Letters some scenes we only ran one camera for example.
*Tell us any strange or funny stories while making the film? One particular scene we filmed outside which was suppose to be Mindanao Islands in the Philippines. The scene required to have some beer in a plastic cup. The beer I used for the actor was sitting in the car for hours. I didn’t expect the actor to drink it. I told him don’t drink it — you’re going to have diarrhea. His response was — I’m getting into character.
*The Misrule Film Movement & Pink8 manifesto bring what to mind?
Sometimes we need to experiment and find talent on the street and not relay on the best. Talent is often missed right under our nose. Don’t relay on techniques relay on your gut — set a rule and follow it.
*What can we expect from your next film?
I’ve started my new film called — Reflections: Project Chameleon and begun principle shooting on June 28, 2019 for our first stop doing a parachute jump in Connecticut. It’s classified as sci-fi military thriller. My name is Andrei Tvardovsky (Andy) and I was a failed experiment by the Russian Government. My side effects include nose bleeds, blurred vision, paranoia, hostility, depression, hallucinations, and mood disturbances. On August 12, 2015, I was awakened by a cold breeze that tickled the back of my neck. I opened my eyes and looked down at my bloody hands. I was riding a bus in Hartford, Connecticut. I don’t know how I got on the bus and I don’t know who I am. The local bus patrons seem to be talking about me. I reached in my pockets and I found a wallet and receipts for nearby gas stations. As the bus stopped the police were waiting for me. Due to my suspicious condition I was detained and brought to my home address found on my wallet.
As the detectives came out of my residence they immediately placed me upon arrest for murder. The bodies pulled from my residence were of my wife and two children.
What the Russian Government didn’t know was the experiments allowed me to see things they didn’t know I could see.My name is Andrei Tvardovsky (Andy) and it’s my legacy to expose the Russian Government and to clear my name.
Watch the trailer at https://youtu.be/db7mjV7hAhE
