Today we talk with Danny Buday, director of FIVE STAR DAY, the Opening Night selection for the 2010 Newport Beach Film Festival – also the first local film to be chosen as the festival opener since the festival began in 1998.
In the film, Jake Gibson suffers a less than stellar birthday, when his world is turned upside down and all that could go wrong, does – to rub it in his horoscope forecast a perfect 'five star day.’ Determined that astrology has no legitimacy, Jake embarks on a journey to test the theory of astrology by finding the three people born the same time and place as himself. Jake's pursuit in finding his three astrological matches not only will test his convictions, but validate how life's unexpected twists of fate can deliver much more than the anticipated. What Jake learns along the way is an important lesson about life, love, fate and destiny that will unexpectedly change his life forever.
Q: How did you hear about the Newport Beach Film Festival?
A: Both Mike Robertson (our Executive Producer/Producer) and myself have roots in the Orange County area so I first heard of the Newport Beach Film Festival a few years back. Also, I remember hearing good things about the festival while I was at AFI (American Film Institute).
Q: Tell a little about the story of your film and the production of it.
A: FIVE STAR DAY is a journey film about a guy (Cam Gigandet) who sets out to disprove the theory of Astrology by finding the other three people born the same time and place as himself. I think what people are most surprised about when I initially tell them the premise of the film is that that it's not a comedy, given its Astrological theme. We filmed in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, New York and Atlantic CIty on a very tight shooting schedule, so production was like an amazingly organized traveling circus.
Q: Tell a little about yourself and your story in filmmaking.
A: I grew up in Chicago till my family moved to Southern California, where I went to high school in Huntington Beach (Marina High '95). When I finished up undergrad at Cal State Long Beach ('99) I moved up to L.A. and graduated from AFI's (American Film Institute) directing program in 2005. After shorts and music videos along the road to the first feature, Five Star Day is my feature film debut.
Q: Your take on the performances of the lead actors, (set backs, triumphs, impressions, good surprises, etc.)
A: Both Cam Gigandet and Jena Malone were amazing to work with. Cam is a focused and quiet perfectionist, and Jena is a magically improvisational wonder to watch act.
They both gave strong performances in the film. I'm definitely excited to have people see Cam as a 'good guy' character. And Jena as a single-mother is so subtle and touching. Brooklyn Sudano is also amazing, but I think Max Hartman's breakout role as an Atlantic City lounge-singer is going surprise a lot of people.
Q: What do you do when not making a smash indie film?
A: I'm a self-admitted workaholic, so it's rare that I'm not locked up working on some project, but in my spare time I enjoy hanging out with my family and friends, playing music; basically getting into as much trouble as possible.
FIVE STAR DAY is the Opening Night film, showing at 7:30 PM on Thursday, April 22 at the Edwards Big Newport Theater.
Plus join the filmmakers and other celebs, VIPs, and more at the OPENING NIGHT GALA in the Bloomingdale's courtyard in Fashion Island. The night's festivities features a performance of Cirque du Soleil's Mystère, a fashion show put on by Fashion Island, food from acclaimed Newport Beach area restaurants, and an Open Bar hosted by Absolut Vodka and Stella Artois and Perrier.
Dress: Cocktail attire, black tie optional. Age: 21 & Over
Buy tickets for FIVE STAR DAY here:
http://newportbeachfilmfest.tix.com/Event.asp?Event=256819
Watch the trailer here:
http://www.facebook.com/l/2f8c2;www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIhxSlLgdiw
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