INTERVIEW with Richard Schertzer. ​ 

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First of all we would like to know a little more about you. So that the audience has as much information as possible. Who is Richard Schertzer?

I am Richard Schertzer and I am a Howard University grad student currently working on his thesis for a filmmaking degree. I have worked incredibly hard to get where I am today in this film industry and I have started film since I was a child. I made short films about my dogs and rose to prominence as a director earning acclaim for the films “The Little Chapel”, “Death Lay Here” and this film “Distance”.

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How many years have you been making movies and how did you end up making movies?

I have been making films for over a decade and I started out making home movies with my family. I have always been drawn to making movies and was so passionate about the subject.

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Let's talk about your project. How long did it take from the initial idea to have it ready to be released?

It took me about a semester from the conception of “Distance” to have it perfectly ready to get released for viewers.

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Can you tell us a bit about the process you've had with Distance? Is it self-financed or were you able to get financing?

Mostly it was self-financed but I did use Howard University’s equipment and securing said equipment was easy enough. Also production seemed easier than I thought.

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No spoilers, but what will the public find in Distance?

The public will find a psychological thriller of a movie inside of “Distance”. It will shock and awe people.

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Have you been inspired by any other film of the same genre?

I was actually inspired by the tv series “Lost” as there were many survivors running through the jungle.

 

There are many creators who seek inspiration from other artists, literature, music, painting, etc. To create this work have you used references from other arts? If so, what are they?

When it comes to inspiration, I just used the COVID-19 onslaught as the pandemic locked down everything.

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We would also like to know more about your film preferences. We would love to know which directors you like and which are your favorite movies.

Tim Burton and Robert Zemeckis are my two favorite directors and I have always been a huge fan of “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street” and “The Polar Express”

 

There are great classics of cinema considered masterpieces, but for us cinema is subjective and we also love films that critics may consider bad. Do you have movies that are not considered masterpieces but that you could watch over and over again without stopping? Which are?

I have always loved “The Amazing Spider-Man 2” and before “No Way Home” was released I thought it was the best Spidey film. I can also watch “Revenge of the Sith” over and over again.

 

Your favorite black and white movie?

My favorite black and white film is “The Picture of Dorian Gray”

 

Have you seen anything by Quentin Tarantino? How would you define it in one word?

I’ve seen “Pulp Fiction”, “Django Unchained” and “Inglorious Bastards”. If I could sum it up in one word: Bloody.

 

Your favorite 2010-2020 movie or series?

Favorite movie from 2010 to 2020 is “Avengers: Endgame”.​

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Your favorite actor or actress?

My favorite actor is Johnny Depp and I would love to work with him.

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Changing the subject, one of the concerns of many creators is the lack of financing or opportunities that producers provide. What do you think about this?

I think if filmmakers have done the work and have shown their work and have put on many hats with respect to their film, that filmmaker deserves more financial backing because it proves that they are serious about their craft.

 

A very personal question, but… What are your strong points and weak points?

My strong points are that I am passionate about my work and I am a hard worker and I always get the results that I want. My weak points are that I am not that good with other people.

 

Do you have experience on the festival circuit? As a filmmaker, how do you see film festivals? Where do you think they should improve?

I have had plenty of experience on the festival circuit. I see film festivals as a way to showcase your work and it is a great outlet. They could improve on communication and diversity.

 

Do you have any other project in mind? Can you advance us something?

 I am working on my thesis at Howard University right now called “Ms. Davis’ Close Friend”

 

Would you like to add something else?

I just wanted to add that I am in love with this industry and I am very hopeful for the future.

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