This interview was brought on by unexpected circumstances I had tickets to a concert and fellow interviewee Ron George had a shoot to film prior.  So I tagged along and met Mikhail Tot, a director/actor, from the film "In Guns We Trust", and I stayed and helped (very little, other than staying out of the way) prior to show.  Then was invited to the premier party, here in Cleveland, and bought a ticket just for shits and giggles.  Really wanted to see what had it turned into.  I was blown away by the attendance and the reactions of the people, and truly how much I enjoyed the film itself.  I hung around the after-party cause I've met and worked with a few of the cast, just to network with new folks and get the word out about the film and actors/actresses along with the crew, such a great production on a shoestring budget.  But everybody involved used their A-game material and this turned awesome.  Ron proceeded to tell Mikhail about my blog and the rest is history.  He is such a great honest man I have to give him his just deserts, he is King of film in Cleveland as far as I'm concerned.  So my interview goes as such:

     Steve (S):  1:  Born in Russia, when did you leave?

     Mikhail (M):  1:  I was born in a small city called Dalnegorsk. I lived there for a while then I moved with my grandmother in Novosibirsk (It's in Siberia, for those who fucked off in Geography) then I moved to Moscow while my mom and I waited for our Visa to come through. By the time I stepped foot on American soil I was 14 years old.

     S:  Wow, your mom did the best for you, I believe,

     S:  2:   What is the earliest memory of you wanting to become an actor/filmmaker?

     M:  2:  When I was about 7 I found a VHS tape with Zombie film that my parents use to have. It scarred me so much that I had to burn it. (I was a little bitch) I think it really messed me up because I keep freaking my self out. After a while I though "How the hell a VHS cover can scare me so much?!" and I start looking into how they make film make up on monsters. One thing lead to another, now I make movies!

     S:  You would think monster movies not hilarious gang films, but to each his own.

     S:  3:    You went to Bowling Green college, what was your major?

     M: 3:  My major was Russian Language... because I'm a lazy fuck. I didn't want to go to college, but my parents (bless their heart) made me do it. The sold me with "you can party and do whatever you want there!" So I took a bull shit major and partied for 5 years straight. But looking back at it I should of majored in film. I found out I wanted to do film by my junior year, but it was too late for me to switch the major so I took a bunch of film/acting/writing classes.

     S:  You spend 13+ years in Russia/Siberia but come to America to learn Russian language, haha, at least all your parting lead you into something productive, learning the easy way out lol.

     S:  4:    How did you become affiliated with the Cleveland filmmaking scene?

     M:  4:  After finishing up college, my friends and I moved to Cleveland. I networked my ass off and helped a lot of people on their projects.... and that's how I become friends with most of them. 

     S:  You do know a lot of people (good ones to boot) and have the skills to know hard work pays off, and helping the new generation.

     S:  5:  How many shorts/films have you done other than "In Guns We Trust"?

     M:  5:  I made bunch of shitty short films/videos in college. But I started to take my films serious when I moves to CLE. I did a short film "Cleveland Allegories" and a full feature "In Production" and now also "In Guns We Trust".

     S:  I will need to find "Cleveland Allegories" and I also saw "In Production" trailer and announcement that the premier is coming soon, I am eager to see that and what else you have in store for the future.

     S:  6:  I attended your premier after Ron George invited me, and my on-set visit.  I was honored to see the hard work all came together seamlessly.  What I bared witness to was absolutely outstanding.  How much joy was it to see your movie on the marquee, and watching it with such a great crowd, and a pre- and- post party?

     M:  6:  Oh man, not a single drug in the whole world can top the feeling of premiering your film in front of hundreds of people. I was so nervous you have nooo idea. My co-Director Donn R. Nottage did an amazing job by helping me hold my shit together by continuously drinking with me.

     S:  It was a night to remember good thing plenty of pictures were taken, for your sake, I can only imagine.

     S:  7:  Who would you consider your directing icon?

     M:  7:  I don't have a particular "icon", I enjoy each directors for certain thing thing. For example I LOVE Edgar Wright's editing, but I love Scorsese's story telling, I love Tarantino's ultra violence but I love Wes Anderson's weird characters. I like to combine all of those things in my films.

     S:  That would be a hard choice for one single person, but your choices are great in their own right, good answer.

     S:  8:    Given the chance to remake any movie, of your choice, which would it be?

     M:  8:  World War Z... It has to be done.

     S:  It was that bad, I haven't had the privilege yet, but I own a copy lol.

     S:  9:    How did you sell your huge idea to producers, and got your pennies worth out of everybody?

     M:  9:  A lot of hand jobs...... Just kidding. We actually didn't raise enough money to make a film at first. Then we thought about it and said "Fuck it! Lets make a movie!" All the actors and crew (Which pretty much consists of Donn R. Nottage and Renne Nottage) did all for pizza and Chinese food. Everyone loved the script and idea so much that we finished the whole film on a micro budget.

     S:  That is awesome you are a special individual in likable sense, your a great guy and you showcased a lot of their talent in acting.  They should be proud of themselves too, and Donn and Renne did a helluva job with helping you along the way.  I was only on set for one scene and I could feel the relaxed atmosphere and everybody had this feeling of ease, like no biggie let's knock this bitch out and on to the next scene.

     S:  10:  You had such a great group of actors/actresses, how did you pull off the great cast?

     M:  10:  We did a casting call and we got most of them from there. Then I went on Facebook, Craigslist, Film Mixers and other places to look for more. I honestly was honored to work with these amazing people. Everyone was positive and fun and it was a pleasure to work with them all!

     S: They seemed to enjoy you also, and gave you loads of credit at the after party which by far says a lot about your character and how your work ethic is.

     S:  11:   When I spoke to a few cast members they all agreed the table read helped them get into character and feed off everyone's energy.  How important do you feel that was, and why did you feel it was needed?

     M:  11:  Table read was great because everyone developed such a quick connection, it was epic! Some of the actors didn't even have scene's together so I had to re-write a script so they can work together. It was amazing experience.  Plus after people read out loud the script it's easier to find where I messed up. My grammar is terrible.

     S: Is that why you majored in Russian lol, all I can say is the finished product speaks for itself, awesome job.

     S:  12:  What's next for Tot Productions, now that your group has a stranglehold on the Cleveland film scene?

     M:  12:  As if now I will be laying low and writing scripts. I will be submitting IGWT to numerous film festivals and I'm planning on doing a short film in November called "I'm a Good Boy" and next summer I would like to shoot another feature! So keep your eye out!

     S:  My eyes are peeled,  I can't wait for more!

Here is Mikhail's youtube channel which you'll find other great things  www.youtube.com/setfree732

I wish to thank Mikhail for the interview and I believe friendship he is a great man with a eye for talent and for film many great things to come from this man and his production company I failed to mention Tot Productions


Sincerely

Steve

     This is an interview I had with part-time actor George (Gendy) Mwangi who lives in Nakuru, Kenya.  He has his own production company Gendy Productions, specializing in music video's and such but acting is his passion.  These are his ten questions:

     Steve (S):  1:  Did it come as a real challenge to break into acting?

     George (G):  1. It has always been a challenge to me because, I am not yet at a certain point in the acting arena that I would be proud of.  So for me its still a challenge more so in our country where there are limited opportunities.

     S:  I can understand that dilemma.

     S:  2:  Would you like more acting gigs or was a taste enough?

     G:  2:  That's what I would die for.  I love acting with all I got, its in me and I believe God made me to act, so I would take any opportunity for any gig to grow.

     S:  I feel ya on that one I've had a taste and want more, too.

     S:  3:   Does being from Kenya only enhance your love of music?

     G:  3:  At least music has a spreadsheet of opportunities, so anyone would be in music while awaiting that golden opportunity in acting, so I have a studio called Gendy Records.

     S:  And with that you're always helping indie artists.

     S:  4:  Is the music scene huge where you are now?

     G:  4:  It's not that big, but at least its coming through very fast.

     S:  Music does seem to be growing huge these days even through the underground scene.

     S:  5:  If you could act alongside anyone famous, who would you choose?

                                    

     G:  5:  I have always dreamt to work alongside Vin Diesel coz I love acting with action and this guy is just what I definitely want to be.

     S:  Who could argue about that tough and soft. 

     S:  6:  I saw on FB Gendy Productions celebrated it's 4 year anniversary, did you ever expect it to be so success?

     G:  6:  Gendy Productions is my young film company I started back in 2012 to nature young acting talents and also grow mine, we are not yet successful but we always work hard day in day out to make it a great brand.

     S:  Hard work will always pay dividends in the end.

     S:  7:  Does Gendy Productions cater to one style of music, or have a huge variety of artists?

     G:  7:  We at Gendy Productions are based on production of all genres of music, so we are always welcoming anyone in the music arena regardless of their type of music.

 

     

     S:  8:  What do most people not know about you?

     G:  8:  Mr. Hergina, I am a great asset to the industry, passionately I have written movies,  produced and I am a business minded young man with great ambitions.

     S:  Now that's what real people need to hear.

     S:   9:  Is acting or music producing tougher?

     G:  9:  Lemmi say both are tough in the sense that you always do what you do to showcase to the world about it, in the music production its tough because of the competition which of course is healthy, so you always strive to be the best in the game.  In acting its tough because there are no opportunities to expose my relenting talent.  I always feel pretty bad when I am stuck onto the same position I was years back without a great platform in the film arena.

     S:  It is a tough world to crack and you have it harder by your location, in Kenya, but I always believe someday it will get better.

     S:  10:  With the final product done is acting, directing, or producing more personally gratifying? 

     G:  10:   My world is in acting Mr. Hergina, I would trade all my expertise in music just to be the best actor, if today Hollywood called me to act I wouldn't think even for a second coz that's what I like.  Leave alone Hollywood even you if you called me over there I would come over without a second thought.  Hope one day to meet you and work with you on a movie or in music.

     S:  It would be an honor to work beside you, someday let's hope it happens.

I wish to sincerely thank George for his time and the interview, wishing him all the luck in the world.  Please visit his company Gendy Productions for all your needs, he looks forward to get into more acting roles, check him out for sure.

Thanks hope you enjoy

    This is a new dawning for my blog, I have decided to incorporate not only horror related films but all independent productions seeking encouragement.  And by this also will include actors/actresses who want to expand their reach to directors and producers, also including new authors or writers of independent publications.  I still prefer horror related stuff but will do all I can for independent media.  And so the next couple of interviews may seek different aspects of independent works.  I have a special horror related surprise coming for Friday October 13th, this is fair warning.

     I saw IT (2017) version Friday night, not expecting it to live up to the hype.  I have been disappointed too many times in the past 20+ years of film watching to expect everything is awesome.  I was honestly surprised it did live up to the hype, the suspense, the scariness, and the new pennywise were done justice.  I would actually like to hear what Tim Curry thoughts were on the new Pennywise.  I barely remember the first one, which I plan on rectify soon.  That might of actually helped me enjoy this one more, I'm not completely sure on that.  The little things in this movie shocked me most, when Pennywise spoke he was always drooling, ugh, and his tone of voice at times could send shivers up ones spine.  I know every movie has it's haters, but this movie just hit me at the right way at the right time.  From beginning to end the Losers were a great group of lovable kids, and Henry was a vicious bastard.  I know some of the updated language might upset people but it's an updated version, which happens to be Hollywood's calling card now.  Remake this, redo that update everything to make it relevant today...........why don't they just call it what it is a rehash, cause we're too lazy to let "the new guy" in with his "new ideas" just keep churning out the old cause CGI is cheap now.  All I want to say to them is soon "You'll Float Too" once your stale ideas get you the book.  Cause every squirrel finds a nut sooner or later, this is yours.

    A very short, but very effective, film was given to me by George James Fraser and his company Stained Glass and Bloodbaths productions called "My Little Miracle".  It clocks in at under 8 minutes, but has it all great story, blood, gore, and a very unique story.  It starts with a mother putting her child to reading her a story.  Beautiful little background for what it turns into, which I cannot say because of the length of the film.  What I can say is I loved it, from story to gory it was effective and somewhat disturbing, my type of film.  And for some reason I keep feeling the effectiveness of the music and the score of this short was spot on, loved it.

Thank you to all invested there time to make this so grandiose

Steve

  This short film For Her..... was brought to my attention by the filmmaker himself  Daniel Mark Young.  It is clocking in just under 20 minutes, and is compelling to say the least.  I know very little about the filmmaker himself (soon to change, I hope).  So I will just cut to review.


  For Her.... tells the tale of a normal couple, normal problems and all.  Just when you think all is normal he heads out for a peaceful night by himself, wife is sick and she fell asleep all good to go.  That's about all I can say but he looks for a hookup after a while and trouble ensues.  The cast was great, the filming was spot-on not so not long perfect set-up.  I personally found this short to be excellent very compelling, and very well acted.  Found myself watching it a second time to catch the little things I missed during my first viewing.  For Her.... was a great supernatural horror film with a unexpected twist I would give 5 bones out of 5.


I wish to thank Daniel Mark Young and his crew at Viral Films UK