Daily Film Forum Exclusive::
Writing, directing and acting, from "Waltzing Anna" to "Mail Order Bride" and now the new upcoming films "Rock, Paper, Scissors" and “The Samaritans” - join us for A moment with
Doug Bollinger
DFF: Your new project, Rock, Paper,
Scissors - what’s it about, tell us how did the project came together in the
first place and what led it to where it is now?
DB: This project started as an image - a couple staring
at each other in horror as they are bent over opposing arms of a couch. From
there, I put together an outline and began the process of the story. I
recruited a new writer and dear friend, Josh Lee, to help. I originally thought
that he could help give a unique voice to one of the main characters but I soon
realized that he would invaluable in the creation of the finished script. I
brought in Keith Collins and Ashley Steele (both of whom I had collaborated
with successfully) to help produce and got Cory Green involved to give it the
look we wanted. We are 80% shot and we will keep the team together to shoot for
a couple fall weekends. After that, the edit will take up the better part of the
winter.
DFF: You have worked on many films. Some
of which have had great success (Waltzing Anna, Mail Order Bride) how do you
compare them to a project like Rock, Paper Scissors?
DB: This is the first film for me that is in my control.
I do have partners in Josh, Cory and Keith but I realize that it is truly the
first time I have final say on everything. I am by no means a dictator but this
project is the one that I have the most control over. In the past, I have
directed pieces written by others (most notably the brilliant Joe Pepitone) or
had others direct things that I had written. I have also had things produced by
other teams as well. This one falls on me and I am thrilled with the team
around me.
DFF: You have also worked with many
talents such as Oscar Award Nominee Danny Aiello, Artie Lange, Vincent Pastore
& Emmanuellle Chriqui. Tell us about the cast of Rock, Paper, Scissors. The
audition process and how you chose your ensemble cast to bring your project to
life?
DB: I have been very lucky to work some amazing actors.
This particular film was cast mainly with actors that I had a relationship
with. It is heavy subject matter and I wanted to be able to push a few
boundaries. I find it easier to go to extremes with people that have built in
trust. I was fortunate to cast the leads through a rigorous audition process
and I could not be happier with the result.
DFF: Your production team are no
strangers to the field, Cory Green, a talented editor & cinematographer has
had an Emmy nomination, Keith Collins is a multi award winning producer &
actor who has a legnthly filmography seems like you couldn’t be in greater
hands as far as production. How do you feel about the future of Rock, Paper,
Scissors with strong people like Collins and Green behind you?
DB: I have now collaborated with these two on multiple
projects in different capacities and we have developed a relationship that
extends beyond the set or the editing suite. I can happily call these two my dear
friends. We know each other and we know how and why we do the work. I have no
doubt that RPS will be our most successful team-up yet.
DFF: Besides Directing and Writing, you
have also acted in many films yourself which have garnished worldwide distribution
such as The Meat Puppet, Gravedigger, The Jersey Devil to name a few, as an
actor how do you feel that can translate to make you a better director for
Rock, Paper, Scissors and future projects?
DB: I feel my best asset as a director is my experience
as an actor. I can relate to actors on their level and recognize that they are
not machines able to produce time after time. I love acting and I have great
respect for those that do it well.
DFF: Speaking of acting, You star
in the upcoming films Clean Cut and The Samaritans. Tell us about your
characters in those films and if they helped you make better directing
decisions for Rock, Paper, Scissors?
DB: Luckily for me, acting on projects with talents like
Keith, Cory and Joe Pepitone make the process enjoyable. Clean Cut was such a
blast! My character was so well written by Joe and he gave me the opportunity
to ad lib a bit so I really felt tied to the creation of that character. Joe is
such a generous director and my co-star, Michael Billy was so funny that this
ranks as one of my favorite roles. The Samaritans was an intense short shoot
with Cory, Keith and two wonderful actors, Timothy Harrison and Annelise
Nielsen (both of whom are in RPS). That was a rewarding experience in which I
tried to wear the additional hats of writer and director. There is no way I
could have pulled that off without the team surrounding me. It helped me grow
as a director specifically because it strengthened the key relationship between
me (as director) and Cory (as DP).
DFF: You directed and acted in The
Samaritans as well as Rock, Paper, Scissors. Explain how you were able to do
both, the process of breaking it down as an actor/director without compromising
focus from one or the other?
DB: The Samaritans was such a challenge. I was only able
t do both with the help of Keith and Cory. I performed many scenes as an actor
and just had to trust Cory that we got we wanted. We did not have the time for
me to watch every playback. Trust is a key element to any indie production, especially
one like The Samaritans, which was super small. RPS acting was a bit easier. I
had my co-writer, Josh Lee on set so he became my eyes. Once again trust became
the main factor to our success. I would never have been able to do both without
the help of this team.
DFF: Any insider information on possible
release dates for The Samaritans and Rock, Paper, Scissors?
DB: We will be editing both projects this winter. We may
have both ready to go at the same time. If that's the case, we will target a
different set of festivals and distribution options. Our target is Spring for
decisions on both.
DFF: You have also been in many theater
productions. Tell us the difference between theater and film and what have you
learned from your experiences on stage?
DB: I adore my time on theater. The biggest difference
for me is the immediacy of theater compared to the lasting images of film. The
on-the-spot reactions to theater are uncompromising. As an actor, you get an
energy from the audience affirming or doubting your performance reality. I will
continue to explore the opportunities on stage that I have been lucky to get.
With film, you get to craft a performance in ways to that involve more trial
and error in the moment. If a take goes awry, you can fix it or try something
new. You need different kinds of stamina for each as well. Long rehearsals and
research challenge a stage actor to explore and conserve your energy. Film
acting stamina is put to the test on long shooting days and repeating takes.
DFF: Any future projects you'd like to
share?
DB: I am working with one of my producers, Ashley Steele
on a couple shorts that she is producing, including Wasteland. She is also
co-writing a feature script with me that is a break from the dark subject we
been dealing with. Ocean Grove is a romantic comedy which explores
relationships ending and beginning in the context of a quirky Jersey beach town
in the off season.
DFF: What can you tell us about the
career of yours, what got you into directing,acting,writing and did you receive
a formal education on the subjects?
DB: I studied theater and education at Montclair State
University after a couple years studying TV production at Ithaca College. I
also graduated from Connecticut School of Broadcasting (where I also taught). I
started a Masters in cinema when I first started getting jobs in the world of
film. I decided that I was learning more on the job from the professionals.
Most of what I do now I learned from the people I worked with when I was
younger. I have been lucky enough to be in the company of great actors (Kevin
Carolan, Alysia Reiner), great writers (John Wooten, Jason Grote) and directors
(Mare Carolan, Vincent Borelli).
DFF: How would you describe yourself as
a director,writer and actor?
DB: I think I am decent at all three but
I have the most experience as an actor. I am still learning something
every time I work on a new project. I teach full time at a performing arts school
and I learn form my students every day. They definitely make me better all
three.
DFF: What Directors, actors and writers
inspire you? There are so many that have had an influence on me growing up.
DB: There are a few that stood out to me. Kevin Smith
was the first "local" that made a movie in my county in Jersey and
was the first that seemed like me - just a normal guy from NJ. I never met him
but There were plenty of people I knew that knew of him and it was something
that stuck with me from the beginning. The first person I knew that produced,
wrote, directed and starred in his own film was Vin Diesel. We had worked
together for Mattel and he told me he was going to make this short film. A year
later, we worked together again and he invited me to the screening of
Multi-Facial. I was blown away that I regular person did this. It was always
other people that made movies. Those two very different guys had huge
influences on me as a young wannabe filmmaker.
DFF: How about some of your personal
favorite films to watch?
DB: I tend to gravitate to films of the 70s. Being a
beach kid, Jaws was especially interesting to me. I can also watch any Cohen
Brothers movie over and over, Blood Simple is my current favorite. I get asked
by my students the question: what is your favorite all time film? I
consistently have the same answer: The original Willie Wonka. Gene Wilder is
mesmerizing and I still believe it is a flick that has everything. I am also a
huge horror fan and for RPS, I revisited some of my old faves like I spit on
Your Grave and Last House on the Left.
DFF: Your website, Facebook, twitter or
whatever else you’d like to shout out?
https://www.facebook.com/thesamaritansmovie
DFF: Anything else you’d like to mention
or that I forgot to ask?
DB: As a follow up to your theater question, I would
like to mention the theater company that I am a part of, La Strada Ensemble
Theater. I have been able to write, direct and act in original productions in
the Jersey Shore center for arts and culture. Asbury Park. This town is growing
a local arts (and specifically film) community that will hopefully rival bigger
cities as more and more artists recognize the energy down here!
DFF: Thanks for the interview with us
Doug!
DB: Thanks so much for this opportunity! I really
appreciate any attention paid to our little flicks!!
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