Tinsel & Tine's

COVERAGE OF

the

PHILADELPHIA INDEPENDENT FILM 

FILM FESTIVAL 2019

5 Question Interviews with BLACKSTAR FILM FESTIVAL FILMMAKERS
5 Question Interviews with FIRSTGLANCE FILM FESTIVAL FILMMAKERS
5 Question Interviews with PHILADELPHIA ASIAN AMERICAN FILM MAKERS

VENERATION
Filmmaker & Producer: Frank Lisi
Screening Date: Wed. May 8th 8:00pm
TRAILER
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Synopsis: A holy man is tormented by demons for the possession of his soul.

1. T&T: In a nutshell what was the main inspiration for your film?

Frank Lisi: My main inspiration prior to writing the script was the amazing history of Saint Padre Pio Pietrelcina.

2.T&T: Was there a point where you almost didn't finish your film? And if so, what pushed you forward?

Frank: Actually there were more then just one instance when we almost threw in the towel. My lead actor suffered a stroke at the beginning of production so instead of producing a feature length film, I salvaged what I already had filmed and created a short vs shelving the film.

3. T&T: Give a quick shout out to your creative team and anyone who helped get your film from an idea to screening at PIFF12.

Frank: A big shout out to my crew: Assistant Director Sonny Vellozzi and Editor Robert Bizik. My SF/X make up artist Sonja Century, Director of Photography Scott Kaufman and special effects supervisor David Gechman.

4. T&T: Tell us a bit about the music of your film? Or does food play a big part in your film? Or answer both.

Frank: The music for Veneration was extremely important for me. I was looking for a score similar to that of the film Gladiator by Lisa Gerard. I found magic from the vocals of Sarah Cromwell for this score for Veneration.

5. T&T: What does it mean to you to screen your film at the 12th Annual Philadelphia Independent Film Festival ?

Frank:Screening not one but two of my production at PIFF#12 is exciting for us all because both films Veneration and Offstage Elements were mostly filmed in Philadelphia and the surrounding area and the cast and crew mostly consist of Philadelphia actors and crew members.


STILL
Filmmaker & Producer: Michael Licisyn
Screening Date: Sat. May 11th 6:20pm
TRAILER
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Synopsis: Vanessa is a photojournalist who takes it upon herself to investigate a local disturbance. She quickly finds that there are some things only her camera can see.

1. T&T: In a nutshell what was the main inspiration for your film?

Michael Licisyn: STILL is out of our usual comfort zone. We’ve been known to primarily make silly comedy or sentimental dramedy. Thriller and horror films are genres we’ve seldom dabbled in. We worked with Cinevore Studios on their sci-fi/horror film Vessel and it was fun to produce from a visual standpoint and we were eager to jump back into that style.

2.T&T: Was there a point where you almost didn't finish your film? And if so, what pushed you forward?

Michael: We shot the film in the summer of 2017 over 2 days months apart. The film was picture locked by that Fall but it wasn’t finished until the following Fall 2018. Post production was long since we were all working full time jobs finishing it up in our spare time. But we didn’t doubt that it would get done. We just took our time which is unusual for our crew.

3. T&T: Give a quick shout out to your creative team and anyone who helped get your film from an idea to screening at PIFF12.

Michael: Everybody in the cast and crew deserve a shout out. Without Rachel’s performance, the film doesn’t work. We’re using the Jaws concept of not really showing the threat at hand and she is on camera for 90% of the film having to convey the suspense and mystery. Anthony is one of my favorite actors to work with. Both actors are a pleasure to have and make any production a fun time. Sarah as our AD was instrumental on set since I was not only directing, but DP-ing as well. Sarah runs a set better than anybody I’ve ever known and can’t imagine one without her. Both Joe’s on our production crew are hard working and will do whatever they can to make the production the most successful it can. Chris with the sound mix and Kevin with the music were vital to making the ambience and suspense of the film work. And of course Matt Conant and Stephanie Yuhas who are our saving graces and lucky charms. Mixed Nuts Productions films work because of the team of the talented people.

4. T&T: Tell us a bit about the music of your film? Or does food play a big part in your film? Or answer both.

Michael: The music was composed by Kevin Stahl who scored several of our previous projects. We went back and forth before coming to a tone that makes the ambience and suspense of the film work. However, there is no food in this, though. Sorry.

5. T&T: What does it mean to you to screen your film at the 12th Annual Philadelphia Independent Film Festival ?

Michael: It’s an honor to be screening on the big screen in Center City and nominated along with so many great films. STILL has enjoyed a great deal of success so far and it has been humbling but to be on the docket in a big way in our home city is the most rewarding for us.



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