|
|
|
|
Hi Tiffany thanks for taking the time to do a interview with us, Firstly can you tell us a little bit about
yourself for those who don't know who you are?
Thank you for speaking with me! I’m flattered! Well, I'm basically an actress who branched out into film
making. I'm a storyteller at heart. I had been in some award winning indie films, and had the pleasure of being
cast in some really amazing off-off Broadway shows. But for any artist, those gigs have their gaps. I wanted to
fill those gaps and to work as much as possible. So I decided to take more control over my career, and started
to create my own outlet. Directing is just as satisfying to me as acting. I simply wanted to work more than I
was, so I taught myself new skills in order to make that happen. I’m still learning. But the ability to branch
out has been amazing!
Was Praey your first full length feature film?
Yes, it was. I had written a couple of plays that were produced low end in black box theaters in NY. I had
directed a bit. But this was my first venture into writing and directing for film.
Can you tell us what Praey is kinda about?
Praey, to me, is a story of haunted pasts, really. Though that’s a bit poetic, I guess. It’s really what I think it
boils down to. One woman overcoming her past and the things that had hurt her and the things she did wrong,
|
|
|
and a man, sadly, not seeing how far hurt had taken him and becoming a monster in the process under the guise of ‘eye for an eye’. For both of
the main characters, it’s about how far your can/will go for someone you love and out of hurt. They both have flaws, they both hurt, they both
fight.
Your not just the director of this film, but you are also the produced, writer and you also acted in it. Where did you get all the inspiration to
do all that?
Ummmmm…. I had to…. To make the story happen. That’s what happens when you have something in your head and no money. You end up carrying
a lot of weight. But it was all worth it! I never wanted to be in the film. I knew how much work that would be, how hard it would be. I just sort of had
no choice. The character I play goes through hell. It’s a physical role, which leads to lots and lots of bruises and bumps, and I think I pulled a thorn out
of my foot 3 months later…that being the last one. With no money, I couldn’t cast anyone to play the role. My acting and directing suffered for it. But I
wanted the movie to happen. I had been trained in NY to do simple stunts, and I certainly wouldn’t sue myself…so there you have it! As writer and
producer and editor etc, well, you have to get things done. Its hard work, but its all worth it.
Over at your website www.tiffanysinclair.com, in your bio it said you are trained in sword fighting plus hand to hand combat. Have you
ever come close to losing a limb or hurting yourself while playing with swords?
No, nothing close to that bad! I have been on sets where things were not safe, and I had to stand my ground to make them safe. But most people
understand the importance of safety with stunts and weapons.
Being a director and actor, It must of been hard for you to shoot the film while also starring in Praey?
Terribly hard. Especially for a new director like myself. As I said, I never wanted to play ‘Sara”, I just had to. There is no doubt in my mind that both my
directing and acting suffered for the dual effort. Being in a scene as an actor and also looking at it from the outside as a director at the same time is so
difficult.
Which do you prefer to do the most, being a actor, writer, producer or a director?
In order, I think that acting and directing are one and one. I love them both. I like to edit too. Writing is next, as I don’t love it, but do enjoy telling a
story. Producing is last. Producing is hard and frustrating. I’d be happy to not produce.
Did you have any problems while shooting Praey, If so what happened?
Oh wow, yeah! Well, I obligated myself to a premier date for Halloween. Then I had missing tapes, a hard drive crash, etc etc. Lost edited footage…I
burned the final master the DAY of the premier. Talk about cutting it close! I worked around the clock editing, as did my composer to meet that
deadline. Not to mention the fact that a week before the premier, we showed it to a test audience, and they didn’t like the end, they needed clarity. So
we shot a new ending less than a week before the local premier. Aside from that, I had actors that said they were available and then either left early or
just didn’t show up. You name it, we had it. Um….shooting in a location just as it was closing…out of day light. Man the list goes on… It’s all funny now,
a little, but at the time, I was a nervous wreck!
What films inspired you the most to create Praey?
Aliens, I guess. I just love strong female characters that don’t act stupid. Like run through the woods in spike heels with a boob hanging out etc…
Women can play better roles than that, even in a low budget thriller.
How much did it roughly cost you to make your film?
I can’t tell you or you would laugh your butt off! Lets just say…not much. Probably about what a Hollywood exec spends to impress a client at dinner!
Is they're is anything you would like to change in your film, if so what would it be?
Many things! I’ll be the first to admit that what I saw in my head was not fully what I produced. No excuses, it’s not the best it could be…. But mostly,
I would have liked to NOT be in it, and would have gained from more production support. The people I worked with were awesome. But we shot 3/4 of
the film in 4 days. We could have used some help, or time, or both.
When did you first realise that you wanted to become a film maker and a actor?
I studied dance in High School I wanted to dance on Broadway. I went to college and tried to be responsible instead. I have a degree in Information
Systems and was a main frame programmer for a while. I hated it. I hadn’t danced in so long, that I took up acting instead. I just could sit at a desk all
day.
What was the first movie you ever acted in?
Um….wow…. I think the first film I ever had a real role in was called “Beware”. It was a Werewolf indie that I don’t think ever went anywhere. I saw a
rough cut at some point, but after that, I’m not even sure that it was completed.
Is there any future projects you are currently working on or going to be casted in?
I have a strong supporting role in the film “Take Away Spirit” from One Shot Productions. Its filming in NY and VA. I’m also creating some custom latex
masks for them for the film, and helping as DP support as well. I want to film again here in WA, under my company in the spring. I’ll also be directing a
film called La Llorona from St. Lindsey Productions next year in VA.
What is Devil at the Door roughly about?
It’s a really cool Vampire movie written by Brian Sheridan. It’s about a head vamp trying to reclaim one of his victims. The victim being a strong
individual that is trying to fight becoming a vampire himself.
Was there any films you worked on and you said to yourself, "Why the hell am i here"?
Yeah, a couple. But it would be pretty on professional for me to tell you which they were. I try to respect people’s efforts at all times.
Being a talented film maker and actor, what tips can you give to other film makers and actors who are just about to start to shoot a movie?
Plan as much as possible and then expect a lot of the planning to go out the window! Indie films rarely goes exactly as planned, if ever. But if you plan it
all out, then when things do go askew, you can modify your plan of attach easier. The more you know what you want, the easier it is to adjust to bumps
in the road. And there will be bumps!
Is there any other film makers you look up too?
Many! Probably Robert Rodriguez the most as an indie artist. But there really are many many people who inspire me.
What films of there's do you like and why?
In the case of Rodriguez, I love just about all of his films. But the reason I look up to him and gain inspiration from him is his attitude about indie film
making in general. He really seems to love and support indie work, and without all the attitude that you can find in the Hollywood circuit. You have to
love a guy who isn’t afraid to rip up his union card! I love old Hitchcock films. I love the horror greats like Romero and Raimi and Craven and Barker.
There are just so many amazing people out there.
Is there any actors in the past that you would love to work with again with?
TJ Glenn, Debra Ruiz, Brian Sheridan to name a few.
You have starred in a couple Misty Mundae (Erin Brown) films, what was that like and what is she like off the camera?
I didn’t star in any of the EI films. I was only brought in for small little roles to fill a gap of some sort, or to take a fall or run with a sword. Usually
campy, fun, spoof characters. Even the one film where my character lifts her shirt, I have a boob double! LOL
As for Misty and the other EI folks, they are all really sweet fun people to work with. Misty is just a normal down to earth person in real life.
What do you think of the film's you see in the cinemas now days?
There is a lot of junk out there these days. Mostly because I think Hollywood is afraid to be original. Its all remakes and part 3-4-5 of some past film.
The extreme use of CGI gets on my nerves sometimes. It’s like the film is more dependent on the FX than the story. But there is good stuff out there
too. I just often find myself leaving the theater and thinking, “well, I could have waited for the rental on that.”
What are you favourite top 3 horror movies?
Aliens
Nightmare on Elm Street
Silence of the Lambs
Is there anything you like to say to the guests reading this interview?
Support indie artist in your area. Be it film, stage, music, poetry, art… Its really important!
Last question, what is the one thing you would like Praey fans to think of, when they hear Tiffany Sinclair?
“That was a pretty good start. I want to see what she does next.”
Thanks Tiffany for taking the time to do this interview, I personally really enjoyed your film Praey, and I hope to one day track down other films
you have been casted or played a small role in. You are truly a talented writer, director and a awesome actor and i wish you the best of luck in
the near future with your films.
Thank you so much zer0hal0! It’s been my pleasure speaking with you. And I appreciate your efforts to support indie film!
Check out Tiffany Sinclair websites right here.
The Official Website
www.tiffanysinclair.com
Myspace Website
www.myspace.com/tiffanysinclair
|
|
