Ed is on a PODCAST !? and other things...
I also share some filmmaking interviews that inspired me this week with Guillermo del Toro and Fede Alvarez, as well as Oren Soffer, DP on The Creator
🗞️ NEWS
I had an opportunity to be on a podcast for the first time last week. The Super Sideshow Podcast interviewed me about my Visual Effects career, specifically about my involvement in Marvel and Star Wars projects like Spider-Man3, Captain Marvel, The Eternals, The Book of Boba Fett, and Ahsoka. It was super fun, and I’ll admit, it was a bit odd to hear myself coming out of my own headphones on a podcast.
If you are interested, give it a listen here and share the podcast with your friends.
🌟 INSPIRATION
The DGA, Directors Guild of America, put sour great interviews, and the one from today is Guillermo del Toro interviewing Writer/Director Fede Alvarez.
Some key takeaways:
Make something you love and put it into the world. In 2009, Fede Alvarez made a short film, Panic Attack, on his own, doing all the vfx, and posted it on YouTube. That short film led to him being contacted and flown up to Hollywood, to work with producer Sam Raimi, directing Evil Dead (2013) and later, his own film Don’t Breathe (2016).
Trust your gut and values. Alvarez and del Toro both share stories of being offered their first Hollywood film and speaking up when they didn’t feel it was a good idea, going against the norm of the industry.
“We are human beings. That is one this this town [Hollywood] can make you forget. And success is the most vile poison. There are are two things that are poison, success, and wanting success. Those are pure poison.” - Guillermo del Toro
Fede Alvarez is currently in post-production after writing & directing the upcoming production Alien: Romulus (2024).
Watch & Listen to the interview HERE
🎞️ SCREENING ROOM
I’ve seen The Creator for a second time, and I’m still fanboy-ing about it.
There has been some buzz about the camera used to film Gareth Edward’s film The Creator. They used a “pro-sumer” Sony FX3 camera. If you would like to dive deeper into the cinematography and the methods, gear, and tech used to shoot The Creator, you will want to give this episode of Art of the Frame a listen.
Oren Soffer was the co-cinematographer on the film with Greig Fraser, who I mentioned a few weeks back.
OK folks, that about does it for this week. Please let me know what you think of the newsletter, I would love any feedback.
See you later, and keep creating,
Ed Siomacco
I've only just read the newsletter, so I haven't listened to our watched any of the linked media yet, but I'm looking forward to hearing Feve's chat. When you mentioned he was working on the next Alien movie, I initially rolled my eyes. Prometheus is the most rage inducing movie I have ever had to endure. It infuriated me. Needless to say, I've never seen Covenant. But apparently Romulus is a stand alone. If it can be to the Alien franchise as Prey was to the Predator franchise, it could be fantastic! Here's hoping.
I'm looking forward to listening to your podcast guest appearance. I've been fortunate enough to be invited on to my friends podcast twice, and it's a bit of an out-of-body experience listening to your own voice alongside other voices you're used to listening to. I found I kept reacting with "Huh. I don't remember saying that" a lot. Hahahah!
I just watched the new TMNT Mutant Mayhem a few days ago and freaking loved every frame! My son was standing up in the living room for the whole final battle. He just couldn't sit still, he was so excited. I'm gutted I didn't get the chance to support it in the theater. It's spectacular, gorgeous, funny and very well written and acted. AND I picked up the new print of The Last Ronin, the TMNT story set in a grim future. Man, I LOVE being a (Ninja) Turtle (fan). Cowabunga!