NBFF Filmmaker's Five with Marc Roussel

By Kelly Strodl

Today I talked with Marc Roussel, writer/director/producer of REMOTE, from Red Sneakers Media.

The film follows Matt, who loses his cable during a severe snowstorm. He's left with channel after channel of static, until he comes across a station that is the mirror image of his apartment, but 30 years in the past. Matt soon discovers that he can communicate with Justine, a young woman residing in the apartment on the television. As the two get to know each other, Matt discovers that Justine died on that very night 30 years ago. Can he change her fate?

The film stars Ron Basch, Sarah Silverthorne, George Komorowski, Peter Racanelli and Julie McCarthy.

Q: How did you hear about the Newport Beach Film Festival?

A: We received an invite to submit to Newport Beach after REMOTE screened at Palm Springs Shortfest last June.

Q: Tell a little about the story of your film and the production of it.

A: REMOTE is a 20 minute sci-fi horror film about a severe snowstorm that brings past and present together when Matt, in the year 2008, finds himself communicating with Justine, in the year 1978, through his TV screen after his cable signal gets knocked out. Over the course of the night a shocking revelation is made that threatens one of their lives. To say anymore would give away the shocking surprises and that's the best part about watching REMOTE with an audience.

The most challenging aspect of the shoot were the TV screens. Having characters speaking to each other through television sets in two different time periods meant a longer than normal shoot schedule for a short film. We shot the 1978 footage first. Sarah Silverthorne played Justine, and had to play all her scenes kneeling on the floor staring directly into the camera lens. Ron Basch played Matt, and he sat off camera reading his lines to her. Then production took a hiatus while I went off and edited all Sarah's footage into playback DVDs. Production began 2 weeks later, the set redressed for 2008, with Ron acting out his side of the conversation to Sarah's edited footage. This left very little room for Ron to adlib, his timing had to be perfect. And it was!

In total, we shot the film over 8 days. 1 day of snowstorm exteriors. 1 day of spring exteriors. 2 days for the 1978 footage. 2 days for the 2008 footage. 1 day for TV screen shooting and 1 day for pick ups. So, that’s 8 days across 5 months.
 
Q: Tell a little about yourself and your story in filmmaking.

A: I tried film school, a couple times, before quitting to find work in production. I figured it made more sense to learn on the job. And, to be honest, technology wasn't yet there to make it affordable for me to make my own films. I worked various jobs in the Toronto film and television scene until I found the one place I knew I could learn how to make films, the editing room. I worked as an assistant editor for years on a number of TV series, TV movies and feature films, and have had the opportunity to work with some of Canada's best talents behind the camera who have all taught me so much about the craft. Editing gave me the confidence to go out and start making my own films. REMOTE was my fifth short film and since its completion I have shot two more, REWIND MY LOVE and THE ELUSIVE MAN (coming to film festivals this year!)

Q: Your take on the performances of the lead actors, (set backs, triumphs, impressions, good surprises, etc.)

A: Ron Basch was not only the lead but also REMOTE's producer. Together we own and operate Red Sneakers Media. REMOTE was a tough shoot for him. It was very technical and cumbersome because of the TV screen. Double duty is never easy but he did a wonderful job and has one of the best, most shocking moments in the film.

The minute I met Sarah Silverthorne at the audition I knew she was Justine. She had the right look and conveyed the innocence and strength the part needed. I did not want Justine to be just another victim. Plus, she was a real trooper who never complained and worked hard, no matter how much blood we threw at her.

There are 3 other actors in the film that play crucial roles that cannot be divulged without giving away plot details, thus ruining the surprise. First is George Komorowski, who is relatively new to acting. He's a retired school teacher who is a natural, and he'll tell you himself that teaching is acting. He was a real surprise for me. He brought a dimension to the character I didn't anticipate. Watching him on set deliver my lines brought a shiver up my spine I'll never forget. Since REMOTE he has gone on to star in a Canadian TV series called THREE CHORDS FROM THE TRUTH, for which he won a Gemini award and recently top-lined my newest short film THE ELUSIVE MAN.
Then there is Peter Racanelli, who is one of the funniest guys I know, playing a very dark character. To watch him switch personalities between setups was amazing. And he kept us laughing during very long, tense days of shooting. 

Julie McCarthy came in to play a very small but crucial role at the end of the film and was able to deliver so much emotion with so few lines. A beautiful performance.

Q: What do you do when not making a smash indie film?

A: When I'm not making my own films I'm working on other people's films. And when I'm not doing that, I'm spending time with my wife and family. And when they are all asleep, I'm writing my next project.

REMOTE screens on Friday, April 23 at 3:30 PM as part of the OH CANADA program at the Edwards Island Theater 2.

Buy ticket here:
http://newportbeachfilmfest.tix.com/Event.asp?Event=256880

Or watch the trailer on YouTube, here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bgk2VQlnO_o&feature=player_embedded