Mihai Mihaescu

Tell us about your background and when did you decide to become a filmmaker/actor/screenwriter?


As a teenager, I enjoyed reading fiction of various genres, including science fiction. I remember how often, absorbed in the stories of the books I read, I had the impression that I was seeing everything as in a movie. I also liked to listen to radio plays with my ear “glued” to the radio, which probably showed a predilection of mine for this area of ​​creation. But I didn't have a clear idea about following an artistic career. Only when I arrived in Chisinau, the capital of the Republic of Moldova, then part of the Soviet Union, I slowly realized that the artistic field was my future, especially after I played in several shows staged by professional actors and directors at the amateur theaters, and at the same time I attended a dance ensemble, where we were “scolded” by a professional dancer from the well-known "JOC" group. In 1975, I enrolled in the directing section of the "Gavriil Muzicescu" Arts Institute. 

At the Faculty I also attended many acting classes, and I was asked to play various parts in radio or television productions, and, after the faculty, this activity extended to the theater area.

Films that inspired you to become a filmmaker/actor/screenwriter?

From the first film, which I saw when I was six years old in the screening room in my native village, Ciorăști, I remember only one image: a man threw himself from the shore into a lake, disappearing below the bottom line of the frame. I was really confused, not understanding where that man disappeared to? Because I couldn't see him under the screen. Only to be overwhelmed again when he reappeared. Where from?! Also from below the bottom line of the frame. Meaning out of nowhere. That magical moment definitely marked me forever. Over time, I realized how important it is to know how to play a story, through which to reveal a world, a universe, between the four lines, two horizontal and two vertical, that delimit the cinema screen.

The following movies impressed me and strenghtened my idea of becoming a screenwriter and a director: "The Hunchback of Notre-Dame" (1956), directed by Jean Delannoy, with Anthony Quinn and Gina Lollobrigida, „Spartacus” (1960), with Kirk Douglas, directed by Stanley Kubrick, „Romeo and Juliet” (1968), with Leonard Whiting and Olivia Hussey, „Jesus of Nazareth” (1977), with Robert Powell and Laurence Olivier, both directed by Franco Zeffirelli, „The Mirror” (1975), with Margarita Terekhova, „Stalker” ( 1979), with Aleksandr Kaydanovskiy, both directed by Andrei Tarkovsky, and Emil Loteanu's romantic films „Lautary” (1972) and „The Shooting Party” (1978), based on Anton Chekhov.

Who is your biggest influence?

Hard to say. But if we talk about influences, I can say that they happen more at the beginning of one’s career, when you try to avoid the mistakes in your profession. At that time, there is a tendency to  copy certain techniques of expression, not to say clichés, from established directors and use them here and there to highlight your own cinematic production.

As for me, I could say that, in the first period of my career, I was rather captivated by the cinematic universes of Emil Loteanu films, which had their specific romantic pulsation, Andrei Tarkovski’s philosophical introspections based on Christian morality, and  Federico Fellini’s moral development of the characters. Over time, however, you begin to shake off influences in an attempt to shape your own artistic identity. You start to watch the films of other directors, to figure out in which area you are in terms of style, expression techniques, thematic areas...


What were some of the challenges you had to face in making your films?


Challenges have always intervened, especially related to the incomplete budget for one film or another. So I had to adapt on the run to difficult situations as I was working with small teams and each team member had multiple tasks to complete. In these situations I had to exploit to the maximum the artistic area, especially, in order to achieve the desired performances. When I started to also be the producer of my own films, the responsibilities also increased, and with them appeared all kinds of challenges. One of those challenges is that you get to a point where your budget runs out and the film still has some stages to develop. You are put in a position to manage somehow. And you start looking for solutions. If you find them you are lucky, or maybe a guy with special skills.

Do you have a favorite genre to work in? Why is it your favorite?


I debuted with a comedy, “Adio viață de holtei” (Goodbye to bachelor life), a short film, which I made under the artistic coordination of Emil Loteanu. But I did not aim to work only in this genre. The following films were rather dramas, some with comedy elements, such as “Fata cu ochii verzi” (The Girl with Green Eyes) (2015), which also has romantic aspects. It is a film based on the novel "Gaudeamus" by Mircea Elliade. No matter the genre, more important for me is the opportunity to transmit strong messages of nonviolence, which you will find in my feature film “Păcatul” (The sin) (1992), adaptation of the stories, “Păcat boieresc”(Boyar sin) and “Hoțul” (The Thief) by Mihail Sadoveanu, or messages of solidarity, empathy, compassion, which are contained in the short film, “Mama ta nu trebuie să știe asta” (Your Mother Doesn't Have to Know This)(2021), which won six awards at International Film Festivals, as well as messages against dictatorial regimes, against war, which will be seen in the feature film, “Amintește-ți/Souviens toi” (Remember), a film that we are finishing soon and will premiere this year.

What’s your all-time favorite movie and why?


A difficult question. We go through periods throughout our lives and we have the opportunity to see films that are verry different regarding style, approach, expression techniques... So our tastes may change depending on the artistic offer. There was a time when I could appreciate, for example, Federico Fellini's films, "La Strada" (1954) and "La Dolce Vita" (1960), or "The Night of the Generals" (1967), directed by Anatole Litvak, from which we derive the idea that justice must work not only in times of peace, but also in times of war, and criminals must be brought to justice. Later I was impressed by movies like "In the Mood for Love" (2000) directed by Wong Kar Wai, "The Sea Inside" (2004) directed by Alejandro Amenabar, "The Piano Teacher" (2001), "Caché ” (2005), both directed by Michael Haneke.

Then I was surprised by the new approaches of Lars von Trier in the films "Europe (1991) and "Melancholia" (2011), by Kim Ki-duk in the film "Pieta" (2012), but also by Jim Jarmusch in "Paterson" (2016).

However, the question above made me pull out of the tons of movies I've seen, one that seems to me to be the best positioned in terms of the overall human message it contains. This is Federico Fellini's film, "E la Nave Va"/"The Ship Sails On" (1983), which can be seen as a metaphor for human civilization floating through the universe thanks to this vehicle, which is planet Earth. The human “fauna” on the ship is very diverse, representing society from a social, moral, spiritual, therefore civilizational point of view. Where this civilization goes depends on many factors. Can we say that the trajectory of our civilization will be a beneficial one? Can we know now, if in the very distant future, when technologies will be extremely advanced, this civilization will be a tolerant one, or will it be just as aggressive, eager to conquer other spaces through violence as it still does in the present? Is art a mean by which we can contribute to shaping a beneficial trajectory of this civilization, thanks to the messages of humanity, goodness, and love contained in our works?! These ideas appear very prominently in the movie "E la Nave Va". 

This movie makes me travel imaginarily into other dimensions, thus reminding me that I am first and foremost a thinking being. I hope that the above foray into Fellini's artistic universe justifies my choice of the masterpiece "E la Nave Va".

If you could work with anyone in the world, who would that person be?


In general, I worked with Romanian actors (some settled in the West), who are very good and we got along very well professionally. As for foreign actors, there are more chances to work with when it comes to co-productions and part of the filming are taking place outside Romania. If such an opportunity would arise, I would like to work, for example, with Mélanie Laurent, Marion Cotillard, Ludivine Sagnier, Guillaume de Tonquédec, Leonardo DiCaprio, Adam Driver and many other very good actors from various countriesp that I have seen in various movies.

Tell us something most people don't know about you.


I have a few superstitions. One of them is that when a cat intersects my way, I must pick up a pebble and throw it in front of me to open my way, so, I think, I will get where I want to go. Of course, I don’t share yet Lars von Trier’s air travel phobia.

The one person who has truly believed in you throughout your career.


The profession made me work for relatively long periods in several cities, so if I’m thinking to the period when I was in Chisinau, I can say for sure that Emil Loteanu was the one who believed in me and supported me in the first years of the career. In Bucharest, when I was doing the Film Faculty at the "I.L. Caragiale" University of Theater Arts and Cinematography, I communicated more often with one of my professors, named George Litera, who believed very much in me and in my future as a director and as filmmaker in general.

But I received and still receive messages of encouragement from various people, known or unknown and appreciation for what I do as a filmmaker.

What was the most important lesson you had to learn as filmmaker/actor/screenwriter?

I learned that the preparation period as well as the shooting period are very important, so that all opportunities must be exploited to the maximum. Otherwise, there will be much more work in the post-production, when, in order to eliminate the remaining gaps, it is necessary to resort to all kinds of maneuvers.

Is it harder to get started or to keep going? What was the particular thing that you had to conquer to do either?

It is harder for me to start. But once the project started, I am able to find solutions to continue. There were times when all kinds of situations arose, which I had to deal with. For example,  one day I realized that there was little time left until the shooting and I noticed that I didn't have enough extras. I had to resort to the help of crew members and actors, asking them to come to the shoot with their friends. Then, on a low-budget film, it can happen that the funding runs out before the deadline. Which happened to me too. I was able to convince my teammates to go with me until the project was completed. I was lucky to have people who are very attached to their profession and trusted me and believed in the future of the project.

What keeps you motivated?

The pleasure of working with creative people, who are captivated by my story and find themselves in it, dedicating themselves and contributing, each in their field, to the creation of the universe of this story. Also, an additional reason, is the chance to be able to transmit through the film messages of empathy, compassion, solidarity and tolerance that are so necessary in a world full of divisions and conflicts.

How has your style evolved?


In the first films, we often want to impress... We resort to visual effects, we ask the actors for a certain type of game, something more challenging, etc. I have also been affected by these professional temptations. However, later, as I grew up, I felt that I had to immerse myself in my own inner world. There I found pieces of the universe made up of emotions, feelings, existential experiences, ideas, which had gathered over the years and needed to be articulated in a coherent manner to express myself, the artist, the man, the citizen, in a word, me, a thinking being of this world. So, this new reality of mine also determines the style, which became much more personal and very involved from this perspective in the cinematic story/stories I make.

On set, the most important thing is:

Everything is important, because all the components are related to each other, they are interdependent. However, in my experience, the most important thing is that the actor comes to the shoot very well prepared. This way we can deepen the game, we can stir and bring to the surface all kinds of nuances so necessary to the construction of the character.

The project(s) you’re most proud of:

I care about all my projects, because I worked for them, I experienced various emotions during their realization, I interacted with different people, who came with their own vision, which they integrated into my conception of the world. Now I'm working on this new movie that I also really care about. I was lucky to have exceptional actors, faithful collaborators, the openness of some heads of institutions, who offered me the necessary support, which they were able to offer me. All those who contributed in one way or another can be found in the credits of the film and I want to thank them from the bottom of my heart.

The most challenging project you worked on. And why?

I think it is this very film we are about to finish at this time and which will circulate, as I said, under the title AMINTEȘTE-ȚI /SOUVIENS TOI (REMEMBER). The biggest challenge was to manage a small budget so that we could go through all the stages of work and get to the end in good conditions. We worked with thirty-five actors, most of them young, with a very few people in the technical staff, with many extras in various scenes, with several collectors who gave us access to vintage objects that we really needed, including a militia car, a brand that was no longer manufactured after the fall of the communist regime.

What are your short term and long term career goals?

In the short term, I want to successfully complete the REMEMBER project, which I will launch in the cinematographic circuit, this means participating in international film festivals, but also organizing screenings in cinemas, then broadcasting on online platforms and TV stations. In the long term, I intend to prepare the files containing new film projects, especially since I have about ten scenarios in my portfolio on various topics, plus other new proposals from the authors. At the same time, I still have to write the end of a novel, which I published (but unfinished), in a magazine a year ago or so, and then I have to prepare a manuscript for a book of short prose. Some of the stories that will complete the book have already been published in previous years in various magazines. This comes as a continuation of my work as a prose author, in parallel with that of a filmmaker, especially since over the years I have published three more volumes.

Your next projects?

After the feature film REMEMBER, I would like to make several films about a serie of personalities of Romanian history and culture, who are also part of universal history and culture.

Please share with us where people can find you on social media, so our readers could keep track of
your career.

I can be found on the website of the Alternative Film Studio Production House:

 https://alternativefilmstudio.ro/; 

But also on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/mihaescu.dr; 

https://www.facebook.com/61557254159050/

and Youtube: 

https://www.youtube.com/@mihaimihaescu3603

The biggest challenge of being an actor\director\ screenplayer is…


Find the right job with less programs out there to choose from. Due to lack of funds, production companies face the challenge of making larger movies. A lot of big A-rated actors are using their own money to make films these days. Disney can't afford to make them either according to my source in New York.

Choose an Actor, Choose an Actress...and now choose a story you would like to direct or play with both of the:

 I like Tom Cruise and Robert DeNiro as my  actors and Gal Gadot as my actress my story would be the creation of Israel the State and country in 1948.


Who’s the first Aritst that let you understand you wanted to be an Actor\ director\screenplayer?

Glenn Morshower, met him as an extra on the TV show called Dallas the reboot. He stated to me that in order for you to be successful you need to stay with it for 15 years. Then everything starts to kick into place. He's right!


What really excites you artistically or emotionally?

 I love being the characters I portray between Sheldon Mashugana and The Macher. I like being goofy and relaxing in front of the camera. I treat this business as a hobby and have a lot of fun with it.  When directing, I enjoy working with the cast and watch them attempt to act even if they have never done it before.


Marlon Brando said “Never confuse the size of your Paycheck with the size of your talent”. Do you agree? 

Yes, money comes later in this job, don't do the acting for the money, you won't enjoy it.


Have you ever been discouraged by someone about your life\career choices?


No, I am an entrepreneur and I own many different companies, I also have insurance businesses in my commercial insurance agency. I currently own a healthcare company ( healthcaresmc.com), a medical transport company (baby boomer buddies) a production company (mashugana productions). and insurance agency (America's commercial agency), I'm a Rabbi with a Phd, a Finra Arbitrator, and I just retired my Real Estate license and mortgage broker license. I have owned a restaurant, retail store and consulting company. I was just featured on Money Talks last Friday and was on for 51 minutes. I can say I have done a lot of stuff and I'm happy I did them.

About your job, tell us your biggest dream and your worst nightmare…
  

My dream is to help as many people as I can in my healthcare program and not be discouraged when things don't work out.

Have you ever dreamed of winning an Oscar? 

Not really, I have won over 400 awards including Hollywood and you have to pay for those trophies they are not free. However I have not paid for all of those, I currently have 7 trophies from some cool places, Cannes, Bollywood, Hollywood, London, Calcutta India, Hong Kong China. The rest I have nice looking certificates. If I were to win an Oscar I would like to share it with everyone.

Do you think that Fame and money could easily change your own Vision as a Filmmaker\actor\screenplaye?

 I have been famous in the insurance business, they called me The Dean of Insurance, of which on Youtube I did 2 shows you can currently watch. I had over 1 million know who I am. I have not changed, I am still the same guy. Once you get past the fame and realize its not all that different then being a normal person you keep moving on to different things and projects and enjoy life, I love it when people recognize me as Sheldon I really enjoy that.


Who’s the Movie star that made you dream for the first time?


William Shatner.

Make a wish about your career... 

I wish to be in a room with the A-listers and just have fun telling stories


Talking about cinema\Showbusiness, how hard is to remain completely honest to yourself as an artist? 

People say I'm humble about being a celebrity, I just love helping other artists be successful. My buddy James Smith I met on set of murder made me famous the Ted Bundy story. They asked us who wanted the lines since we both played cops. I told them to give it to James and I would help him with the lines. As it turned out , we both had speaking roles, I was asked to speak on an improv and I got credited for it.

The Film you have loved the most?


 Back to the Future the first one, I met Christofer Lloyd and Thomas Wilson.

And now, don’t be shy….the one that annoyed you the most?
  

There's something about Mary with Ben Stiller

Your biggest artistic goal is…

Tto film my 3 motion pictures with a nice, we just need funding. What a Schmuck 2 hours film about how Sheldon got started with James, Sheldon Mashugana goes back to the future, The story about the whoopie cushion. Based on a true story. Also Sheldon Mashugana gets lost in space, The story of Sheldon winning a contest and taking his family to Uranus, only to get lost in space.

What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?  

Directing a sci-fi motion picture in Hollywood!


How important is it to be rewarded as an Artist? 

Its always nice to hear my critics tell me I suck. But I never get that and that's a good thing. but one needs to keep learning the trade and enjoy the compliments when given. You don't always have to get an award, it's not necessary.

What’s the message you wanna express through your art?
  

Never give up, always keep watching TV and movies to learn the trade and go to school, Practice makes perfect in this field and the more you do the better you get. Don't be shy of the camera, act like it's not there.                   










The biggest challenge of being an actor is…


Staying grounded. Too many actors think acting is a career for self indulgences and excesses. It’s just a profession, people! It’s about the craft. Everything else is baggage. 

Choose a director, Choose an Actress/Actor and now choose a story you would like to play with both of them

I would love to be directed by Lars Von Trier. And I love Willem Dafoe. I think we could do a new version of “Whatever happened to Baby Jane?” Directed by Von Trier, changing the original story from sisters to brothers. That would be super sick! 


Who’s the first Artist that let you understand you wanted to be an Actor? 

I watched Daniel Day Lewis in “In The Name of The Father”… shocked me to the bones. I was hooked. 

What really excites you artistically or emotionally?

The creative process when a production is about to start. It’s indescribable. Such a joy to take a dive into new feelings, experiences and trying to find things that as a person myself I haven’t yet found. Creating a character is such an enjoyment to me. 


Marlon Brando said “Never confuse the size of your Paycheck with the size of your talent”. Do you agree?

Of course. It applies to overrated and underrated actors. Just take a look at how much an influencer can make; compare that to what a supporting actor makes in an indie film. The difference is abysmal! 


Have you ever been discouraged by someone about your life\career choices?


All the  time. People would try to do that for no apparent reason. I am a firm believer of “leave and let live” everyone is entitled to their choices, to fail, to make mistakes and to get up again and continue trying. Life itself is a constant trying. I’m gonna keep trying until I’m dead. 

About your job, tell us your biggest dream and your worst nightmare…


My biggest dream is to continue being able to work, to create meaningful characters played in a believable way. My biggest nightmare is to overact. I’m always trying not to let overacting get to me, even when my scene partner is doing so, I remain immune to it. I hope I am always inmune to overact. 

Have you ever dreamed of winning an Oscar?

You know, a lot of actors do that. It’s like the Mount Olympus of acting; me personally, not so much. I don’t fantasize about it. I would be lying to you if I say “I don’t care about Oscars” but I also think it’s not healthy to be fantasizing about something so politicized. I’d say if someday the chance comes up, great. If it doesn’t ever happen, also great.  

Do you think that Fame and money could easily change your own Vision as an actor?

Maybe back when I was in my 20’s but at this point in my life I feel I’m way too matured now to be persuaded by superficiality that easy. 


Who’s the Movie star that made you dream for the first time?


Definitely Daniel Day Lewis. Eventually others like a Willem Dafoe, Tom Wilkinson, Ruth Gordon, Raul Julia, Debra Winger, Dustin Hoffman, and many more. 

Make a wish about your career...

“I wish Artificial Intelligence won't put actors out of work” 


Talking about cinema\Showbusiness, how hard is to remain completly honest to yourself as an artist?

Well, most true artists do their best not to succumb to money pressures that may compromise their honesty as artists. But it’s difficult because we all have bills to pay and work is scarce. So it’s a very difficult thing to do, to stay loyal to your principles. But it’s not impossible. You gotta put your integrity as an artist before money. That’s my mantra. 

The Film you have loved the most?


CINEMA PARADISO

And now, don’t be shy….the one that annoyed you the most?


The last EXPENDABLES. Such a waste 

Your biggest artistic goal is…


Do a musical. 

What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?

I’m a social worker. So if I’m not acting I’m doing something else. 


How important is to be rewarded as an Artist?

Well, who needs rewarding? I think that’s very egomaniac. I don’t think artists need rewarding. They need respect and work. The audiences’ applause is the best reward. Getting the respect we deserve is a reward. 

What’s the messagge you wanna express through your art?
  

I’m a Hispanic actor in my 50’s. I want others like me to understand that life doesn’t end when you get to be 50. You don’t need to be a celebrity to be an ACTOR. You don’t need to turn into the new stuff ( influencer, etc) to be somebody, you don’t need to follow what others follow to be “in the cool crowd,” to me going against all that is more liberating and rebellious…it gives me a freedom those celebrities don’t have. And that is pri

Tell us about your background and when did you decide to become a filmmaker/actor/screenwriter?

I acted in school plays when i was young and did some modeling as a teenager but didn't get serious about acting until 2012 or so. I took theater in college and joined a talent agency who got me some background work at local casinos and i wanted to be in front of the camera so i answered an ad in the paper that was looking for actors to be in a short film. I auditioned for the lead role but was offered a different role and really fell in love with the whole experience, the makeup, wardrobe, the set. It was very exciting to me.

Films that inspired you to become a filmmaker/actor/screenwriter?

I love action packed movies so films like Heat, Reservoir Dogs and Point Break are ones I've watched several times and dreamed about being a part of something like that. I also love history, so I'm drawn to good western movies. A few years ago, i was offered the role of bartender in a film called Night of the Tommyknockers from Mahal Empire Productions and i was absolutely thrilled to be a part of that. It was set in the 1880S and was filmed on a western town film set near Palm Springs. 

Who is your biggest influence?

The more i get involved in film the more i pay attention to character actors. There are so many phenomenal actors out there who i think don't get the credit they deserve. I recently discovered Sean Patrick Flanery and thought, holy cow, pure talent. His role in Nefarious blew me away. Actors like Harvey Keitel, Michael Madsen, Tim Roth and Gary Oldman all thrilling to watch.

What were some of the challenges you had to face in making your films?

Scheduling. Getting all actors together at the same place at the same time can be a headache. Actors in the indie world all have jobs and families and things going on so it's very challenging. Also, i like location scouting but once again on the indie level it's hard to lock down a hospital room or police station or block off a city street.

Do you have a favorite genre to work in? Why is it your favorite?

I enjoy action films. Guns, bombs, car chases and that kind of stuff. Westerns and sci-fi are big with me too. As far as Horror goes, i like a good horror that has a story and is creepy as opposed to slasher films which I've done a few.

What’s your all-time favorite movie and why?

The Wizard of Oz and Grease are both favorites. Oz is hard to beat because it's an escape, and so well done for the era. Grease came out when i was in high school and i grew up with it.

If you could work with anyone in the world, who would that person be?

I really have a hard time picking one person. I enjoy working with anyone who's been in the business awhile because i learn something each time i do. Tom Sizemore, Kevin Sorbo, Tara Reid, Michael Pare are a few that ive been lucky enough to work with and i always watch them work and i pick up different things. 

Tell us something most people don't know about you.

Im a musician, i play guitar, a little piano, can keep a beat on the drums and write songs. Ive recorded over a dozen songs that i wrote, although i dont sing, i hire professional singers to sing my songs and then i shoot a music video for it.

The one person who has truly believed in you throughout your career.

my sister Karen Mcdonald. Shes my biggest fan and we are very close.

What was the most important lesson you had to learn as filmmaker/actor/screenwriter?

How to take rejection. I remember hearing people say you get 1 yes for every 10 no's. I think it's more like 1 for every 100. Sometimes i ask myself why am i wasting my time, it can get really frustrating when you audition time after time and never hear anything but i keep moving forward because when i do get a part its always worth the wait. I love what I'm doing.

Is it harder to get started or to keep going? What was the particular thing that you had to conquer to

do either?

I think it's harder to keep going. For me, when i started i was getting a lot of work, but lately as i said earlier, i audition and audition and get nothing and so many times i just want to say forget it.

What keeps you motivated?

Friends and family and that occasional role i land. When i get on set and start working it kind of resets everything and I'm so excited that I'm looking forward to the next project.

How has your style evolved?

well, I've certainly become more relaxed and confident. In the beginning i was really nervous and you could hear it in my voice when i would read a monologue but the more i do the more i feel at ease. I take each film i do and try and learn from it. What went right, what went wrong, how can i improve, things like that and I'm seeing a difference in my performances.

On set, the most important thing is:

Listen. Pay attention. Be on time and know your lines.

The project(s) you’re most proud of:

Everything I've done up to this point. I call myself a late bloomer. I didn't grow up wanting to be an actor or anything really. I was just taking it day by day and kind of doing whatever was giving to me. I was in my 40's before i started trying to figure out what i wanted to do. I carry a grudge for that and always think about where i might be had i figured things out at an early age. On the other hand, it's only been just over 10 years and I've got quite a resume going with over 85 IMDB credits and I've worked with lots of great people and i have a very bright future. 

The most challenging project you worked on. And why?

I worked on a film that had a writer/director who liked to shoot really long scenes with a lot of dialogue. coupled with the fact that it was a night shoot. The longer the night got the more i fumbled with the dialogue. The whole crew was tired and i think we all just wanted it to be over, but we got it done and it's something we can now look back at and have a laugh and we made an awesome film.

What are your short term and long-term career goals?

Short term to keep writing my songs I've got half done and make music videos. Long term, i want to be an actor who makes a living at doing just that. I don't need to be an A-lister, just a character actor who is continuously working. You know, like "that guy" who's in everything but you don't know his name. That i would be happy with.

Your next projects?

I'm headed down to Vegas to shoot my 10th feature film with Mahal Empire Productions, A few weeks after that I'll be in L.A. for a feature film shooting in Huntington Beach. I'm also co-founder of Day Night Picture Productions with my friend Earl Gray. We have released 2 short films, and our first feature film is in post-production and we are writing our second feature to start shooting early summer of this year.

Please follow me on Facebook and at http://www.daveshecter.com

Tell us about your background and when did you decide to become a filmmaker/actor/screenwriter?

When I was kid, my parents always took me to watch Hollywood and European movies with them, and I think my interests and belief in movies were built since then. After graduation from university, I started my career in public relations and corporate communications in Fortune 500 companies such as GE and Sony,  in my spare time, I do movie reviews in mainstream entertainment programs in CCTV,  China Radio International, China National Radio, Beijing TV, etc., and I find myself are thirsty to create movies on my own as I talked about Ridley Scott, Christopher Nolan, Stanley Kubrick, Theoforos Angelopoulos. I made my first step from marketing and publicity area in one of the biggest Hollywood names about ten years ago, and then I quit my job and started as an independent director and screenwriter while teaching filmmaking classes to help industry professionals to build up director's ideas and psychology ideas.

Films that inspired you to become a filmmaker/actor/screenwriter?

 Well, that's a tough question since so many films have inspired me. :)  "A Space Odyssey(1968)", "Citizen Kane", "Old Boy", "Blade Runner", "Landscape In The Mist", "No Country For Old Man", "Godfather", "Once Upon A Time in American", "Thelma & Louise", etc. I love them all. :)

Who is your biggest influence?

Stanley Kubrick and Ridley Scott.

What were some of the challenges you had to face in making your films?

As an independent filmmaker in China, it's very difficult to finance my films with different aesthetic values from the local mainstream producers. Most of the time, you have to choose between sticking to your own expression and compromising with the market, and each work of my own is completed at an extremely low budget, precisely because I want to stick to self-expression and creative freedom.

Do you have a favorite genre to work in? Why is it your favorite?

Currently, I do art films and Sci-Fi films. Starting from my first work "Wish You Well", I know making it an art film is the only way to get it done at my current stage. I've always had a deep love for Sci-Fi films since childhood, at present, I make my Sci-Fi works in arthouse style too. As an independent director, I have to find every possible way to complete my projects within the financial constraints. In fact, over the past decade, I've been studying commercial films, and I really hope to have the opportunity to make film noir and crime films.

What’s your all-time favorite movie and why?

"2001: A Space Odyssey", "Blade Runner", "Blade Runner 2049",  "Dune", "Oppenheimer", etc. I always believe that a great director not only tells a great story, but also constantly creates and changes the audiences' emotions using audio-visual language, thereby conveying his/her profound thoughts towards life experiences. All these films are benchmarks.

If you could work with anyone in the world, who would that person be?

Christopher Nolan, Ridley Scott, Denis Villeneuve.

Tell us something most people don't know about you.

I worked in public relations and corporate communications area in multinational companies before entering into the film industry, and the project management and leadership skills I've gained from that period of time make my job much easier as an independent producer and director. 

The one person who has truly believed in you throughout your career.

My dad. When I quit the dream job for most of the people and started from zero in film industry, he encouraged me to follow my heart and even ensured me that he can always support me at his best. I always think that all my works are dedicated to the memory of him.

What was the most important lesson you had to learn as filmmaker/actor/screenwriter?

Never stray far from life. Filmmaking is not simply creating imagination in isolated islands. As a director and screenwriter, the most important thing is to listen to the needs of ordinary people. We must pay attention to the weaks, and try to understand the world of the underprivileged. Making a movie is not simply about commercial success or festival awards, we can make it a tool to create love.

Is it harder to get started or to keep going? What was the particular thing that you had to conquer to do either?

Getting started. My biggest challenge is always about finding the investment and getting started. My first film "Wish You Well" was shot under extremely difficult conditions. Due to China's Covid measures at that time and extremely low budget, my team and I, wearing masks along the way, went through all kinds of challenges such as the bans on shooting by the locations, quarantines, social isolation, etc. We just had only half of a tiny room as our shooting location, and most of the crew are not film professionals, to complete the shooting, I have to improvise on set according to what we have or what we can do, director's ideas really helped me.

What keeps you motivated?

Shooting. 

How has your style evolved?

In different films I have different cinematographic strategy, and I think my personal style also adapts according to that.

On set, the most important thing is:

Understand what you want, and articulate that crystal clearly with everyone working with you. On set, a director is not only a director, but also a project manager, that said, project management skills and communication skills are truely important.

The project(s) you’re most proud of:

"Wish You Well", "Run, Chad Run" and "The Film", all of them are made under extremely low budget.

The most challenging project you worked on. And why?

Next one, because I want to make it the best. :)

What are your short term and long term career goals?

I have no particular goals in my career, but I hope that I can always make my own films without any compromise to the reality world.

Your next projects?

Another Sci-Fi film featuring humanity, and the title is "8568".

Please share with us where people can find you on social media, so our readers could keep track of your career.

It's not easy for me to use FB or Ins, so it's a bit tough for people to keep track of me on social media at the current stage. But I do have my homepage on FilmFreeWay, where people can find my latest works and updates. 

Tell us about your background and when you decided to become a filmmaker/actor/screenwriter. 

I'm from Gary, Indiana. There is no entertainment industry there. At least not at the time I lived there. My desire for writing and drawing skits and comics was so early in life that I can't remember, so I'd say since birth. I started with drawing comics, then writing, and then later using a camcorder to make mini-movies. I submitted my work to production companies throughout the years but did not receive a green light. After seeing docs from actors, producers, and directors on how they had to produce their work to get into the industry. I jumped on the bandwagon. 

Films that inspired you to become a filmmaker/actor/screenwriter? 

David S. Sandberg's "Light Out (short)", Kevin Smith's "Clerks", Robert Rodriguez's "El Mariachi", Sam Raimi's "The Evil Dead", All things M. Knight Shyamalan, Jordan Peele, Quentin Tarantino, Martin Scorsese, and the Twilight Zone. 

Who is your biggest influence? 

Spike Lee, Quentin Tarantino, David F. Sandberg, Antoine Fuqua, Tyler Perry, M. Knight Shyamalan, and Clint Eastwood as a Director. Honorable Mention David Fincher's style of filmmaking. 

What were some of the challenges you had to face in making your films? 

Mostly money to hire the talent needed to compete with the big dawgs when it comes to production quality. Most times I'm a one-man show, Writer, producer, director, actor, editor, sound design, cinematographer, SPX, Admin, marketer, etc... It's exhausting but it pays off in the end. 

Do you have a favorite genre to work in? Why is it your favorite?

 I enjoy blending suspense with mystery, comedy, and drama. My work is mostly related to the Twilight Zone tales which is a blend of genres that include Sci-Fi on occasion. I think a great story despite the genre is what's needed.  I can write anything with the proper research. 

What’s your all-time favorite movie and why?

 Citizen Kane and The Godfather Series. Citizen Kane because of the way it was filmed and the storytelling. Orson Wells did things no one did and changed the way movies are being made. The Godfather because of its terms and building of characters and scenes. The acting and storytelling are beyond duplication. My honorable mention would be "Leon, The Professional". 

If you could work with anyone in the world, who would that person be?

This is very hard to answer because I'd like to make stars or bring awards to talented unknowns. If working with means this person is mentoring me or executive producing me, it could be any one of the actors, producers, or directors listed on the IMDb list as the greatest of all time. Everyone mentioned above I'd love to work with including Steven Spielberg, Jordan Peele, James Cameron, Jason Blum, etc.

Tell us something most people don't know about you.

I filmed a commercial with Spike Lee early summer of 1999. We filmed on the USS John Paul Jones. I handed him a script I had written, and it came back to me saying, "We do not accept unsolicited material." Working with Spike was a great adventure and a dream come true. I also worked with Zig Ziglar, the great motivational speaker, when he opened up the Zig Zigler Network. 

The one person who has truly believed in you throughout your career. 

Mainly my wife, who was also my first actress. She reluctantly played the lead in my 1st and 2nd short which garnered me the awards and accolades needed for me to feel like I truly belonged in the industry. 

What was the most important lesson you had to learn as a filmmaker/actor/screenwriter?

The pursuit of becoming a filmmaker is challenging. You have to know all aspects of the business to be in the business. They say it's Show Business and it is but that phrase means two distinctive things with tasks, milestones, and goals behind them. It's two different departments that have multiple divisions that require various hats or multiple people to do the jobs that are required to work and be acknowledged in the business of show. Sweat Equity is required whether you have a team or not. It's more required when it's you doing it all as an independent filmmaker. 

Is it harder to get started or to keep going?

What was the particular thing that you had to conquer to do either? Getting started is the hardest thing to do. When you're at ground zone with only a concept, putting ink on the pad with a clear direction is difficult but you have to get started to get the flow going. Once I get in a state of flow, the story, the direction, the emotion, the marketing, and many other things start to pour out. Ideas for other things start to come and you just have to take note of it and focus on the task at hand. Staying on a regimented schedule and writing even when I don't feel like it, keeps me going. It's actively writing down problems and solving them in real-time. 

What keeps you motivated?

Seeing my work on the screen. Winning awards and film festivals. Getting the thumbs up from celebrities you once only knew via watching them on television or a movie. Watching docs on actors, directors, producers, etc lives... Hearing their story of support and failure to no support and failure, to writing or working in the abyss, with no prospects, no awards, giving up but not really, and eventually making it by tweaking things here and there but staying true and consistent to your craft.  

How has your style evolved? 

Consistently reading, writing, and paying attention to what's going on around me. When you like what you like and feel comfortable expressing yourself beyond the criticism makes you better. It makes me better. I've realized most people won't get it and don't want to get it. I realized most people won't give you a chance and will never give you a chance. I've realized people join teams, clubs, and societies to create groupthink think a sort of stability for their lives. You can't get to these people. You evolve just by being you and being satisfied by what you bring to the table and hope for the best from the open-minded. 

On set, the most important thing is...

That everyone understands their job at the moment, place, and time of the script. The lights should be right, the sound should be positioned in the right place, and the actors should know their lines and the emotion they need to display... The important thing is knowing what to do for the moment we're in. 

The project(s) you’re most proud of:

My 1st short and feature both titled "Come Outside." The short was an idea that popped into my head, so I wrote it. 90% of the festivals I entered selected it to be a part of their festival. The fire was burning hot for the short, so I made the feature and it did even better than the short at its festival run. "Come Outside" is me doing almost everything. The writing, producing, directing, acting, editing, SFX, sound design, etc.. Once I submitted it for distribution and got it on Prime, Tubi, PLEX, and other platforms, the sky became the limit. 

The most challenging project you worked on. And why? 

All of my projects are challenging because I'm primarily a writer and director but I have to act as a producer, executive producer, SFX coordinator, editor, music, sound designer, actor, etc... on all of my work. I watch the credits flow on films I watch and say to myself and the person I'm watching the film with, "See those credits, that's all me." They say, "I know, you'll be there one day." Doing it all gets your stuff made, just not perfectly or at most times, not as you envisioned it but that's better than waiting on a green light that may never come. 

What are your short-term and long-term career goals? 

I have multiple movie and television projects in many stages of development. I've been writing for well over 20 years and have the material to keep either myself and/or Hollywood Studios busy for decades. My passion is bringing new, exciting, original work to the screen. The common phrase coming from critics of my work is, "Great Concept and Story!" Those words above any other criticism for me are a win.   

Your next projects?

I'm in the process of finalizing 3, maybe 4 microbudget films for 2024 and 2 midrange budgeted films. The micro-budgeted films will start casting in mid-February for back-to-back filming from March to July. The mid-ranged films will be pitched to studios and/or producers for either financing or acquisition. 

Please share with us where people can find you on social media, so our readers can keep track of your career. 

My link has all my social sites, interviews, casting information etc.. . https://linktr.ee/AutuerPreneur 

Tell us about your background and when did you decide to become a filmmaker/actor/screenwriter?

I was born in 1988 and raised until eight years in Zurich, Switzerland. After my parents moved to Brazil, where I lived around four years. I grew up bilingual, so I speak swiss German and Brazilian Portuguese fluently. I started as an actor, went to an acting school in Zurich for 3 years. After that I played in three feature films one main role and two supporting role. In a swiss crime series I played the villain as a young man in a flashback. But after some years, I noticed that I don’t want only to portrait a character in a movie. I want to create a character, create a fictional story, create a fictional world. And since then I am working more as a filmmaker, focused on screenwriter and director. Sometimes I still working as an actor too. 


Films that inspired you to become a filmmaker/actor/screenwriter?

Well, there are many. I think the movie E.T, Charlie Chaplin, Star Wars and the Never ending Story. Those where the beginning and gave me the feeling, you have to do this too. But there are many others too which takes too long to count all of them. 

Who is your biggest influence?

There are many, but I think Martin Scorsese is one of the best. But I also like very much the movies from Ken Loach. I think he shows normal daily characters in his movies so realistic good, that you forget it’s just a movie. That’s brilliant. But I think Charlie Chaplin is still the Best. He did some artistic movies which touched so many people around the globe. He surpassed all nations, believes and languages with his Comedy. 



What were some of the challenges you had to face in making your films?

Always a big challenge is the money. Especially if you’re a Independent filmmaker like me, you have to shoot in Low Budget or No Budget. The other challenge is knowing trustworthy people. You never know when you look for new people if they will show up or not. So with the time you want to work with people you know good. Especially on the key positions in the movie. 



Do you have a favorite genre to work in? Why is it your favorite?

Its Drama. That’s my main focus when I write a story. Thriller (Suspense) I like too. But I also did some Comedy’s shorts, which is far more difficult. What I like to work in Drama movies is that its shows a realistic life, realistic daily problems. Mostly of those movies shows feelings and stories that are universal. 



What’s your all-time favorite movie and why?

I don’t have only one. There are many. But those who inspired me in my childhood to become a filmmaker are for sure E.T, Star Wars and the Neverending Story. Later it was Lord of the Rings and Jurassic Park. But two movies from my childhood touched me so much back then too and probably gave me also inspirations are Prancer from 1989 and Fly Away Home from 1996. Today I like also Arthouse movies and very much movies from Ken Loach. 



If you could work with anyone in the world, who would that person be?

Martin Scorsese. I think he is a brilliant filmmaker and I could learn a lot from him. And I like the German actress Emily Kusche very much, she is very talented.  But like I said, there are many others too. 

Tell us something most people don't know about you. I had a huge love crush on the actresses Jennifer Connelly and Emma Watson. I wanted to see all movies with them. 


The one person who has truly believed in you throughout your career.

My Parents and a best friend. 



What was the most important lesson you had to learn as filmmaker/actor/screenwriter?

Trust. If you cannot trust the people around you on set, than the movie will not be good. You don’t need to be best friends, but some professionality is a must in any film set. Also it is so important to come well prepared and focused on the set. What you also need in any movie is patience because it always will be later. 


Is it harder to get started or to keep going? What was the particular thing that you had to conquer to 
do either?

It was very hard when I started as an actor back in 2009. I didn’t have a clue what really is going to expect me. So I went to many Auditions and had to start from scratch. I didn’t know any person in the film industry, so I called two famous actors in Switzerland and they explained me a lot. Acting schools or Drama schools they teach and show you the craft of acting, but that’s it. The rest you have to find out yourself. That’s not easy as a beginner.  Later when I started as a filmmaker in 2015, it was way easier because I knew the rules in this business, I knew many people. So the second start as an filmmaker was better than the beginning as an actor. Meanwhile my county Switzerland hasn’t a big film industry so there are not so many chances and jobs like in the US. Those are totally different worlds. 


What keeps you motivated?

Writing Story’s, making movies which gives them hope and touches them. I always show in my movies that the light, love and hope will always win. That people should never give up. That motivates me. As long as the people likes my movies and I have this fire in me I will continue to make more films. I want to give the message of hope to people, even if the journey from the characters can be hard. 



How has your style evolved?

It wasn’t in the beginning. I discovered my film style when I tried something new. I tried to make a movie where only thoughts are audible. No Dialog, just the thought for the audience. The rest is music. It’s something totally rare in movies. But what all my movies have in common is that there is a deep social message. 



On set, the most important thing is:

Trust. Positive motivation. Good catering and a clear idea and vision. Being well prepared. Those things can decide if the set is working and what kind of film it will be. The spirit of the team must be positive and everyone needs to know where is his position on the set. It’s bad if anyone wants to interfere on positions from others. What you also need to have is improvisation and being spontaneous, in case something doesn’t work out as you wanted. 



The project(s) you’re most proud of:

Mila’s Diary. This movie won so many awards worldwide, and especially some Script and director Awards. That was a confirmation, that I am on the right way with my visions of making a movie. But I am also proud of my other movies. All of them has a different meaning and message. 



The most challenging project you worked on. And why?

That was definitely my feature film The silent Scream. I started this movie with less money. I didn’t know well many of the actors and crews and I played the main role as an actor and was in the same time director too. Last one was a load of stress and brought me to a limit. I will never do these two things on the same time again. By the way this is my advice for any actor or filmmaker out there who does both things. Just do one thing at the same time, but never both together. You will regret it. 



What are your short term and long term career goals?

My short term goal is to make some more short films and a Web Serie. Later - if financially possible - a new feature film someday. But  my long term goal is to work as a director and writer for professionals. My dream is that I only have to focus on my Director job or Writer job without thinking on how we will financial realize this movie. That is something which makes it so hard to make a movie. 

Your next projects?

I am working in some new short films and a feature film. 


Please share with us where people can find you on social media, so our readers could keep track of
your career.

They can find me on Instagram or IMDB and on the personal website. 

Instagram: difference.pictures

Personal website (under construction at the moment): www.gabrieldasilva.ch 

IMDB: www.imdb.com/name/nm5734959/?ref_=ttfc_fc_dr1

Tell us about your background and when did you decide to become a filmmaker/actor/screenwriter?

All that I remember from my growing up is the warmth of family, all my friends, and my homeland. The experience of living in estrangement now fills me with longing and a sense of self-sufficiency. Rebuilding the past is an incredibly tough task while you live in estrangement. I always feel that directing and the arts, in general, have chosen me. Essentially, I consistently feel that imagination is truer than reality. It became the only means to achieve a world I wish to live in and for people to experience through the storytelling of a tale visualized.

Films that inspired you to become a filmmaker/actor/screenwriter?

Youssef Chahine's, Shady Abdel Salam's, and Fatin Abd el Wahab's films, alongside those by El Sayed Bedeir, Tarkovsky, Pasolini, Theo Angelopoulos, Kim Ki-duk, "The City" by writer Nasser Abdel Rahman, "The Traveler" by director Ahmed Maher, and the films of Khaled El Hagar and Kamal El Sheikh.

Who is your biggest influence?

My parents and family are my biggest influence. The actual impact of love from family on a person's life is the first, most mature and sincere influence on their professional and social life.

What were some of the challenges you had to face in making your films?

I constantly feel a deep hole within me despite being a creation of the Creator, an individual with identity, a homeland, and a heart. (This feeling suffices as a clear expression of a suffering that words have never been and will never be able to articulate.

Do you have a favorite genre to work in? Why is it your favorite?

I do not believe in classifying films, but I always feel an affiliation with the wandering human seeking spiritual culture in a material world. Perhaps this preference is because I am still a human being wandering on the path.

What is your all-time favorite movie and why?

The nostalgia for the Russian director “Tarkovsky”.

 I see the film contributing to stirring emotions between dreams and the characters' memories. Many scenes are still, yet they carry considerable poetic and spiritual weight, creating a great contemplative state. The boundaries and gaps between past and present dissolve in "nostalgia." Truth blends with fiction; distant and near sounds mingle in the entwining of internal and external worlds for humanity. The film is an invitation to return to the past through longing and yearning. If I may express it through the malaise of nostalgia and clinging to roots, homeland, and an identity that a person drifted away from in estrangement. Despite their strong attachment, nothing holds on, and no matter how much time passes, the only issue remains returning through memories.

If you could work with anyone in the world, who would that person be?

The great actor Denzel Washington, because he is an excellent and inspiring actor for anyone, and I always see him from a soulful perspective.

Tell us something most people do not know about you.

I am a failure in love, and I find it amusingly ironic. In addition, I am afraid of both cats and dogs.

The one person who has truly believed in you throughout your career.

Every person who supported and backed me, I owe it to them. But above all, it's my father and my mother.

What was the most important lesson you had to learn as a filmmaker/actor/screenwriter?

The truth is not the life we are living. It is what I see throughout the lens of the camera during filming.

Is it harder to get started or to keep going? What was the particular thing that you had to conquer to do either?

The difficulty for me has always been accepting my continued existence. This does not mean pessimism, but rather a desire for eternal relief.

What keeps you motivated?

Love.

How has your style evolved?

Reconciling with time and oneself, continuously watching film productions, always paying attention to reading philosophy and psychology, learning about the latest technologies in cinema or arts in general, and most importantly, constant contemplation and bird watching.

On set, the most important thing is:

Commitment, commitment, and commitment.

The project(s) you are most proud of:

All of my works, especially "Magda," "Abd el Wadood," and “casting film Youssef Chahine 

The most challenging project you worked on. And why?

"Magda" and casting film Youssef Chahine. Perhaps, it is because after I finished filming, I discovered that what I had filmed was very close to the secrets of my life ... now the secret is revealed because of my response☺.

What are your short-term and long-term career goals?

To connect more with myself and the audience through the execution of artistic works.

Your next projects?

I am currently working on some projects, both in cinema and television.

Please share with us where people can find you on social media, so our readers could keep track of your career.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mahmoud.mahmoud.1420

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mahmouudmahmouud/