An Interview with Alex Ferrari

Alex Ferrari is a South Florida filmmaker who started in the business doing post-production work. Aside from being an editor, he is also an accomplished director. With his production company The Enigma Factory Inc. he has entered the world of producing as well. Recently, Alex started a visual effects company called Numb Robot which targets the independent film community as well as doing high-end television commercials and movie promotions. Alex first came to our notice through his 2005 short film B R O K E N (www.whatisbroken.com). FilmGuru.Net had a chance to talk to him, despite his busy schedule as he works on a new feature and a short film called Cyn (www.alittlecyn.com).

Filmmaker Alex Ferrari in front of a poster for his short film Cyn. (Photo illustration by K. Wohler)

1. What is your latest project?

Red Princess Blues is my latest project that has yet to be shot. I have been working on a kick ass revenge action flick for about a year. I have a star interested (who will remain nameless for the moment). I plan to shoot the first 10 minutes of the film to show investors and the studios what the vibe of the film is. Here is a bit about it: It's like a spaghetti western blew up in a '70s exploitation film and then was tossed into a graphic novel. Princess' thirst for revenge against the people who wronged her, takes her on a twisted Wizard of Oz style journey of love, honor and vengeance. Wish us luck!

2. I read that your short film Cyn started as a short version of Princess but turned into something else. Tell me about it.

Cyn is a trimmed down version of a longer script I created for his upcoming feature film project called Red Princess Blues. As I developed the "Princess" short film he noticed that it had less and less in common with my characters and storyline of the feature project.

So when I made the Top 100 of Steven Spielberg's On the Lot and they asked me to create a short film in six days, Cyn was born. Done for under $1000, Cyn brings together an amazing group of talented people. Without these remarkably talented friends and professionals, Cyn would have never made its six day schedule.

[The Production Breakdown]

Friday: Write the script and prep the shoot
Saturday: Casting and prep the shoot; also begin working on opening titles & prep visual effects
Sunday: Rehearse, Fight Choreography and Production Design the location
Monday: Shoot day
Tuesday: Editing and color correction; begin scoring process, sound design & visual effects
Wednesday: Finish scoring, sound design, composites of visual effects and master output.

3. You made the top 100 for the Fox reality show "On the Lot"? Will we be seeing you on TV?

Who knows? Maybe, maybe not. Tune in on May 22 to find out... (I always wanted to say that!)

4. You used to be an intern at Universal Studios Florida. What was that like and how did it change you?

It was so much fun. I had a ball. Coming from South Florida, Universal Orlando was the closest to Hollywood I had ever been to. I learned a ton and seeing my name on the TV credits of a show was a HUGE DEAL to me at the time! What a thrill.

5. What was your lowest point as a filmmaker?

Not able to get any work. Fighting for a dream and people not listening. You yelling at the top of your lungs for someone to look over your way and still nothing. That is I think the lowest point for any filmmaker who is just trying to get a break.

6. What was your highest?

This interview. ; ) Really, finishing a film you created and watching it with an audience.

7. How has your background in post-production affected your work as a filmmaker?

It is indispensable! I am the filmmaker I am today because of my post knowledge. I think any director who is not knowledgeable in post is doing disservice to themselves, their work, and their audience.

8. Would you rather be a great unknown or a famous failure?

I just want to work and create (a paycheck would be nice too). Whether I am great or a failure is for everyone else to decide, I just want to do my work!

9. When audiences watch your films, what do you want them to experience?

Depends on the story I am trying to tell. With B R O K E N, I had people who loved it and others that thought I was a hack (it's all good), but at least I evoked enough of an emotion that they hated. The worst feeling a director has is when the audience is indifferent. Love it or hate it but feel something. People seem to really enjoy Cyn. It's a shorter movie and has a more complete story.

10. What is your dream project?

A Marvel Comics super-hero movie (Thor, Avengers, Sub-Mariner, The Punisher 2 (HARD R version), Doctor Strange). I would love to work on one of those stories. I am a comic book geek at heart.

11. What is your favorite film of all time (and why)?

I would have to narrow it down to five:

Shawshank Redemption (some of the best storytelling I have ever seen)
The Matrix (the mixture of action, philosophy, visual effects and story has never been seen like that before or since)
Se7en (the mastery of story, image, mood, and every f**kin thing about this movie rock!! David Fincher is a GOD!)
Pulp Fiction (push the medium of storytelling/film forward, movies were different after this came out)
Seven Samurai (no one in the history of film could compose a shot like Akira Kurosawa. This is why all the greats steal from him. As Coppola says "Steal from the best!")