War of Films Interview (Richard Schertzer) 

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Can you tell us about your latest film project and the process you went through in bringing it to life?

Ms. Davis’ Close Friend is about an elderly woman who is coping with the death of her husband, her distant son and worsening cancer. I wanted to do something more personal as my cousin died from cancer and I wanted to do something to honor her memory. 

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What inspired you to become a filmmaker and pursue a career in the film industry?

I have always been interested in filmmaking. I have always been interested in crafting and writing stories. I love working in the creative lens and writing stories that can be produced and shown to a large public. 

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What challenges did you encounter during the filmmaking process and how did you overcome them?

Some challenges I faced were the fact that we were using a RED Camera and it’s one of those cameras that chews up data very quickly and some of the footage turned into a grainy green. So, I had to edit around that. 

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What was the most memorable moment for you during the production of your film?

The most memorable moment was when I was shooting the window scene when Danette Illig (Marina Davis) is talking about how she met her husband. That might have been the most emotional moment on set, as it was a calm hush. 

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Can you share any interesting anecdotes or behind-the-scenes stories from the making of your film?

We ran out of actors so the owner of the apartment that we were shooting in and myself were the gamblers outside. 

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How do you approach storytelling in your films? What themes or messages do you try to convey?

I usually start from the ground up and only give a dusting of who the character is in the beginning and slowly build their arc until the end. I tried to convey, at least in this film, that death is natural and beautiful. 

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What is your preferred genre of filmmaking and why? Are there any specific directors or filmmakers who have influenced your work?

My preferred genre is drama because I feel that I can cut deep within human nature and connect better with them with human drama. Much of my work has been influenced by Tim Burton and Robert Zemeckis for Burton’s macabre filmmaking and Zemeckis’ visual effects. 

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How do you select your cast and crew for your film projects? What qualities do you look for in collaborators?

The cast has to be easy to work with and have a good track record of work. 

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How important do you think film festivals are for independent filmmakers, and what has been your experience with film festivals so far?

Film Festivals are very important because they allow you to network with other creators. My film festival experience has been pretty great, so far. I have been in over 100 festivals across my film career since 2017. 

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Can you tell us about any awards or recognition your films have received and how they have impacted your career?

I have gotten my films “The Little Chapel” and “Death Lay Here” on Amazon Prime and it got me a lot of exposure in the industry.

 

How do you handle feedback and criticism of your films? How do you use it to improve your craft?

I think I handle feedback and criticism well. I usually implement that feedback into my next project and make it better.

 

What do you enjoy most about the process of filmmaking? Is there anything you find particularly challenging?

I enjoy completing a film and looking at my work. What I find the most challenging is the editing process.

 

How do you approach the distribution of your films? What strategies do you employ to reach a wider audience?

I distribute my films on either youtube or I put them through the film circuit on Filmfreeway. I pay a lot of money to get them seen. 

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What advice do you have for aspiring filmmakers who are just starting their journey in the film industry?

Make as many movies as possible and save your money for distribution and to make more movies. If this is your life, make it everything that you do. 

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Finally, can you share with us your future plans and upcoming projects as a filmmaker?

I am working on a sex-working documentary and a political documentary.