For what group of spectators is your film targeted?
Anyone who have struggled with suicidal thoughts every day. Loved ones who struggle with the pain from spouse, son, daughter, family member, that have taken their life. This documentary would help them to understand, find the hope, talk about, for this issue.
Why should distributors buy your film?
To spread this documentary to public view and talk about this topic, suicide prevention. All across the United States, many people, young and adult, contemplate of suicide during this current world.
How would you specify your work? What characterizes your film?
Imagine a world where suicide is no longer a taboo topic, and those struggling with thoughts of ending their own lives have newfound hope. Our documentary, I Am This Dark World's Light, shines a light on the social issue of suicide and brings awareness to the millions who suffer in silence. Through powerful storytelling and real-life accounts, we strive to spark conversation and inspire change. There is hope. You are not alone.
Why did you decided to become a filmmaker?
I am now 54 years old. When I was 8 years old, my parents picked me up from elementary school and wanted to take us all (our whole family) to watch a brand new movie. This was in 1977. The movie, Star Wars: A New Hope. It was at the end of the movie when the “Death Star” exploded, the audience stood up cheering and clapping. I was in shock from seeing all of the people in the movie auditorium cheering about this. Amazed that this could generate powerful emotions from a story on the screen.
Who is your role model?
Throughout my life I’ve watched many movies of directors, Alfred Hitchcock, Stanley Kubrick, Stanley Kramer, Francis Ford Coppola, Ridley Scott, and many more directors. I guess there would be two directors that’s my role model, Stanley Kramer and Ridley Scott. Stanley Kramer for his artistic vision in his movies and impacting the entire conscience world by bringing attention to topical social issues. His movies really impacted me as a young teenager about nuclear war, effects of fascism, creationism and evolution, and racism. Ridley Scott for his vision, from science fiction, crime, and historical drama. I’ve studied many of his films, both personally and when I was in film school. Using his television designer style and using advertising to direct television commercials he understands how to make a great film throughout the world. My father worked over 45 years in advertising world, I learned about advertising as well. I too worked with my father in his advertising agency. For me, I feel a very strong connection with Ridley Scott because of my advertising background and movies.
Which movies are your favorites?
Alien, 1979. This is my favorite movie and the best science fiction horror movie of all time. It’s for the production design of this film and for the directing. We hardly see the whole thing of the alien creature until the ending. We see parts of the creature, the mouth, or a little of the head, or the creature’s hands, or shadows. This is how to create suspense and horror. Alien is designed as a surrealistic world (planet) with a surrealistic creature, but also a beautiful piece of art, by H.R. Giger. This definitely draws the attention to viewers. For me, Alien is darn near a perfect movie.