Q: How did you hear about the Newport Beach Film Festival?
We heard about The Newport Beach Film Festival just doing our homework reading books, and talking to others who had independent films like ours which are good festivals.
Q: Tell a little about the story of your film and the production of it.
Basically several years ago my friend Steve Skrovan (the director and producer) encouraged me to write a prose story about my quirky friendship with Vinnie D'Angelo, who I describe as the happiest agoraphobic and adoring parent I never had. Years later, after enjoying his experience of directing the documentary, "An Unreasonable Man," Steve had the bug to direct another film, so he suggested we adapt that story into a script. It then took several years after that to get going. We had to find a window with Steve's busy sitcom writing schedule, and a line producer to tell us how to make this happen. Though Steve and I spent many years in the sitcom world, independent film was a whole new one to us. When we met our line producer Jerry Magana, he figured out what it would cost and how we could do it.
Though much of the story takes in my apartment, being trapped in with Vinnie when he visits, we built a replica of the apartment on a soundstage, but used the hallways, parking lot, and roof of my own actual apartment complex.
Q: Tell a little about yourself and your story in filmmaking.
After acting in scores of TV shows and films, it was interesting being part of the casting process and helping the production. This was obviously the most personal story I ever acted in, not only because I was playing myself, but a real emotional chapter from my life. It was a bit intense sometimes acting out a scene, and at the same time recalling when the actual event occurred. At the time, my writing experience was a few episodes of Seinfeld, and Handy Manny, the kid's animation show I'm on. But it was a great experience to not just be a passive piece in someone else's puzzle, but to be involved and help Steve create this weird world of Hollywood misfits who fall between the cracks.
Q: Your take on the performances of the lead actors, (set backs, triumphs, impressions, good surprises, etc.?
Angelo Tsarouchas who was perfect as Vinnie. He seemed so natural and out of the people who auditioned, wads the one who really seemed could be my friend. (We're great friend now in real life.) It was exciting that this film brought up front and center all these character actors like me who are usually just the weird delivery guy, truck driver, bad date, etc. Angelo always plays a driver or a bouncer. Here we're weird guys still, but a bit more dimensional.
Our triumphs are how people are really effected by this little film. That these characters seem real and that it resonates. That everyone seems to know these characters.
Q: What do you do when not making a smash indie film?
When I'm not making films, I've been lucky to work on some animation shows (Handy Manny, Penguins of Madagscar, and Wordgirl). And I also still do the occasional guest star parts. (Wizards of Waverly Place.) This affords me to continue writing in my own voice, and create other scripts like Fred & Vinnie.
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FRED AND VINNIE screens Sunday, May 1 at 4:30PM at the Triangle Square Theater 7.
To purchase tickets follow the below link:
http://newportbeach.slated.com/2011/films/fredandvinnie_steveskrovan_newportbeach2011
Watch the trailer for the film here:
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