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