By Kelly Strodl
For today’s edition of Filmmaker’s Five I spoke with Richard Gabai, director of Insight, a thrilling story of altered states of mind and messages from beyond! While ER nurse Kaitlyn attempts to resuscitate a critically wounded stabbing victim, she is accidentally electrocuted with a defibrillator and nearly killed. After recovering from the shock, Kaitlyn starts to experience memories that are not her own. Haunted by visions of a crime that ended an innocent woman's life, she takes it upon herself to try and solve the grisly murder and unravel a terrifying mystery that threatens her own sanity.
Teaming up with the detective on the case, Kaitlyn begins to weave her way through the victim's past – discovering as much about herself as the crime she’s seeking to solve.
Q: How did you hear about the Newport Beach Film Festival?
Adam Gentry from the Festival called inviting me to submit the film - telling me that they'd "heard about it" - very mysterious...
Q: Tell a little about the story of your film and the production of it.
The script was brought to me by my Dp Scott Peck. I read it in one go which for me is rare. Right away I wanted to make the film - it's much more than a murder mystery. The writers I think really succeeded in exploring some of the questions we all have a bout life, death, what is real, and what isn't.
Q: Tell a little about yourself and your story in filmmaking. I was born in New York but raised in Southern California. I started my career as an actor but quickly figured out that I wanted to make movies. I directed my first film (Assault of the Party Nerds) 22 years ago which starred me and my friends and featured music recorded by my high school rock band "The Checks". As ridiculous as that film seems to me now - that is what got me in the business and I've never looked back. All I've ever done for a living is make films, act, and record music. I am extremely lucky. I have a normal middle class life with a wife and 3 kids. Needless to say it is extremely difficult (like almost impossible) to make a living and the business seems to be getting harder for independents every year.
Q: Your take on the performances of the lead actors, (set backs, triumphs, impressions, good surprises, etc.) I am very lucky to have this group of actors and actresses in my film. My casting director Billy DaMota did a brilliant job helping me put the cast together. I had worked with Christopher Lloyd last year on "Call of the Wild 3D," and we had become friends so when I read the script I sent it right over to him. It is incredible to me that I have the honor of calling a gentleman like him my friend. My kids knew him as "someone that worked with Daddy" but after they saw "Back to the Future" that all changed :) We didn't read anybody for the film we just made offers to people that we felt were right for the roles. One by one the cast fell into place like it was meant to happen. The script I think is what attracted them - I can promise you it wasn't the money :) The performance that Veronica Cartwright delivers in this film in my biased opinion is award worthy. She is just wonderful as Patricia, Kaitlyn's ailing mother. Truthfully I don't think any of the performers missed a beat. Sean and Natalie are so compelling and believable - I really think the audience will take the ride with them. We are all excited to see the film with an audience for the first time.
Q: What do you do when not making a smash indie film? I am making non-smash indie films :)
INSIGHT screens on Saturday, April 30 at 7:30 PM at the Triangle Square Theater 2. And Thursday, May 5 at 7:30 PM at the Triangle Square Theater 6. Cast and crew will be at the screening for a Q&A following the film.
Buy tickets for Saturday’s showing here:
http://newportbeachfilmfest.tix.com/Event.asp?Event=355330
Buy tickets for Thursday’s showing here:
http://newportbeachfilmfest.tix.com/Event.asp?Event=355331
Or watch the trailer on YouTube, here:
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