Arthur Reynolds (USA)
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Interview:10 questions
1. Tell me something about your life and the educational background
I was born and raised in the Pacific Northwest. My grade school improperly diagnosed me with learning advisability’s and other big words basically saying I was retarded. This blatantly not being the case caused many problems, eventually causing me to drop out of middle school. A few years later I started again in an alternative school. I transfered to a local college, which had a program allowing me to earn both my high school diploma, and a certificate in Digital Media. In the span of these years, I realized the benefits of self teaching, and learning through hands on application over the school system’s cram-as-many-facts-in-your-head-for-the-test style.
2. When, how and why started you filming?
I first picked up a camcorder to film skateboard videos and JACKASS style stunts. The novelty of stupid stunts wore off, but the videography was still interesting. I loved sketch comedy for as long as I can remember, and am a huge fan of Saturday Night Live (Pre-early 2000’s). I started writing short sketches, and sometimes finished them. My first completed short film was a porno with puppets. One of them looked like a green bear-pig.
3. What kind of subjects have your films?
Many of my earlier projects were stylistically Noir Action, but that’s mostly because the only locations and props I had access to were warehouses and guns. More currently, my projects have taken on genres and themes of surrealism and dark comedy with undertones of self esteem and depression.
4. How do you develop your films, do you follow certain principles, styles etc?
I spent a lot of time thinking about the movie before I write it. Most of my development is in my head. When I reach the point I can’t think of anything new, I stay up all night drinking coffee and tea, writing and re-writing as I go along. I usually don’t do too many drafts on a script, just edits as I go. When it comes to creating the shot list and storyboards, I just keep in mind the tone I want to show up during the editing process.
5. Tell me something about the technical equipment you use.
I’m an advocate that as long as the format’s look fits a compelling story, you can shoot on any medium. My friends and I try to shoot on whatever the latest digital format is, because it just looks great, is only getting better, and I rarely have enough budget for filmstock!
6. What are the chances of new media for the genre film/video in general
and you personally?
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7. How do you finance your films?
My films are financed from my own pocket. I save as much as I can before I start shooting. Spending your own money helps keep you spending it wisely.
8. Do you work individually as a video artist/film maker or do you work in a team?
if you have experience in both, what is the difference, what do you prefer?
I strongly feel that movies are a cumulative art form. It would be either be an amazing or a foolish attempt to wear the hats of every crew member. I enjoy giving a department my input, and letting them work their magic and add their artistic energy.
9. Who or what has a lasting influence on your film/video making?
Oh, its all influential. My background to daily life. My family’s support. Seeing my director friends B. Parker and Richard Valentine work on their sets set my precedence for what a Director does. The fact my crew of friends keep coming back and want to work with me is a pretty moving reason to keep at it.
10. What are your future plans or dreams as a film/video maker?
The big ‘First Feature’ is somewhere on the horizon. I just want to keep doing this as long as I can. Being paid to do it couldn’t hurt…
Can works of yours viewed online besides on VideoChannel? Where?
www.splicedmedia.com/mystic
www.splicedmedia.com/code
www.splicedmedia.com/guitar
www.youtube.com/arturoelburro