Alex Ferrari Interview
By Matt D-W • Mar 11th, 2008 • Category: Interviews, The Scene
Alex Ferrari is making quite a name for himself. In 2005 he directed the $8,000 short that could: Broken. Ferrari has continued to exploit digital technology to give his projects a very impressive scope
and professional sheen. Nothing has changed with his latest offering, Red Princess Blues: The Book of Violence, an animated short, written and co-produced by Ferrari. The short serves as a prequel to his feature length debut, Red Princess Blues. Currently in pre-production, the film follows a young woman on a quest for revenge. Alex has interrupted his busy pre-production schedule to answer a few questions.
MicroCinema Scene: You had a lot of success with Broken. It received a lot of attention online and played an incredible amount of film festivals. You even had it reviewed by Roger Ebert among others. How were you able to create such awareness for an independent micro-budget short film?
Alex Ferrari: Whoring yourself out like a cheap one-leg hooker. Seriously, I was relentless with getting the word out on Broken and it has paid off. Selling now over 5000 DVDs. I am also going to be featured in the upcoming book Making Short Films: The Complete Guide from Script to Screen coming out April 8, 2008. All because of a little $8000 Mini DV short film. On a side note, I am now working on Guerilla Marketing and Self-Distribution of your Film which gives away all my secrets. It will also me available on DVD soon.
Alex Ferrari: Roger Ebert’s review was probably the biggest help in getting the word out on Broken. Making a big festival is great too, if you know how to spin it.
MCS: Has Broken’s success helped you to be able to make Red Princess Blues?
Alex Ferrari: Absolutely! The doors that open because of Broken allowed me to come through again with RPB. Many people knew me from my success with Broken and were very receptive to any new projects I might have.
MCS: So how did the saga of Princess begin?
Alex Ferrari: I wrote it with Paula Garces (Harold and Kumar, The Shield) in mind and when a chance meeting ocurred, I sprung the project on her and she loved it. The rest is history. We have gotten a lot of attention from the animated prequel and the studios are waiting for the WGA strike to be over so we can move. Let’s see!
MCS: What is the storyline?
Alex Ferrari: A “violent fairy tale” about a woman tracking down her transgressors with ballistic retribution on her mind. Princess’ thirst for revenge against the sadistic people who wronged her take her on a twisted Wizard of Oz style journey of love, honor and most of all vengeance.
MCS: Why did you decide to make the Princess Blues short in the first place and then why make it animated?
Alex Ferrari: To get attention. There aren’t many Japanese animated short film prequels to a live action feature film out there. It made us stand out from the pack.
MCS: It has received a lot of Internet attention. What kind of feedback are you getting from people within the industry?
Alex Ferrari: “Love the script, you just need to get a few stars now.” It’s always about the stars you can attach to the project.
MCS: Are you financing the film yourself through your company Enigma Factory or do you have private investors?
Alex Ferrari: We have private investors for funding and the studios for distribution.
Alex Ferrari: Fast, hard, and bloody! Hopefully of a digital HD format and do our magic in post.
MCS: What cameras and software do you have in mind for the production?
Alex Ferrari: Probably the RED Camera. I have heard nothing but amazing things about it! Editing on Final Cut Pro (ALWAYS!)
MCS: Red Princess Blues is an independent action thriller with an up -and-coming young actress as your lead. At a time when the film industry is saturated with films both independent and studio produced with established actors starring, how do you intend to compete?
Alex Ferrari: Story, concept, good acting, assemble cast, visually unique world/direction and good old-fashioned violence.
MCS: How far along are you in the casting process? Anyone else we will recognize?
Alex Ferrari: We have Paula Garces and we are currently talking to other stars who are interested.
MCS: How do you intend to create a visually unique world/direction? Will this be created practically or in post-production ala Sin City?
Alex Ferrari: A combo of both production design and a little of Post magic.
MCS: You started your production company The Enigma Factory back in 1997. Many companies in the entertainment industry come and go, yet yours is nearing its eleventh anniversary. How has Enigma Factory sustained itself over the years?
Alex Ferrari: Low over-head and you just have to keep trucking no matter what.
MCS: What can we look forward to in your and Enigma Factory’s futures?
Alex Ferrari: Red Princess Blues and a few other features that are on the table. Really cool stuff.
For more information about Red Princess Blues and Alex Ferrari, visit The Enigma Factory.
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Matt D-W is started working at a mom and pop video store in high school. Around the same he started taking video classes. It wasn’t long before he started making kung-fu and zombie movies. With credits on several features and commercials he is currently writing the screenplay which will become his feature length directorial debut.
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Great interview! I’ve been meaning to buy BROKEN for awhile now, but completely forgot about it. Thanks for the reminder! Also, great site! I’ve been following for awhile now. Keep up the good work!