Your film is entered in our Best Short Film Award. What is your film about?
The Secret is a movie about a man who is in a race against his own time on planet Earth to save his beloved wife from a soaring pervasive disease that is now a global crisis.
What are your ambitions with your project?
Our objective is to show the physical, emotional, and financial devastation that this pandemic can wreak on society. Thus far there is no cure, but through projects like 'The Secret' we can educate people to be aware of it, and like the actor in our project who believes that you can cure it if you learn "The Secret", if not, maybe the secret can slow it down. Globally, the cost of dementia was estimated to be $1.3 trillion USD in 2018 (World Alzheimer Report 2018). This cost will again rise exponentially as the number of people living with dementia is projected to triple by 2050.
How was the shooting? What pleasantly surprised you?
At first, we started shooting this film as an experiment, and we did not intend it to be more than 5-10 minutes max. However, as we delved into the subject matter, we realized that we must expose all aspects of the story and the ten minutes expanded to 130 minutes.
What was pleasantly surprising is the dedication, commitment and hard work of the cast and crew. Most of them are seasoned in their respective fields, long hours, low budget was not in question. They valued their work, and they invested whatever it took to see the film to its fruition.
For what target group is your film?
This movie is made for all spectators, dementia does not discriminate between gender, race or financial status.
How would you specify your work? What characterizes your film?
We made this film not just for making money, but also for the entertainment and educational values "The Secret" brings to the worldwide audience.
Why did you decide to become a filmmaker?
I'm a driven individual who isn't afraid to face a challenge. I'm passionate about my work. I work hard and I know how to get the job done.
The writing-story-dialogue is superb, the characters are well defined, the cinematography is beautiful, the actor's performance is great, the music is top notch, the choreography and dancing is Broadway style, and that makes this movie great.
Filmmaking has been a childhood love passion. I have been working in film. TV, and musical theater; writing, directing, producing, choreography, music and editing for the past fifty years.
Who is your greatest role model?
My father is my role model. He worked tirelessly to raise ten children, and no matter how hard it got he never quit. In the movies I admire all film makers because I know how hard it is getting a movie canned.
Which movies are your favorites?
Why?
I do not have a favorite movie because I like them all, especially the ones that deal with real issues, and of course entertaing
Where do you look for inspiration for your films?
I get my inspiration for my films from the human stories that unfold live before my eyes on daily bases. I like to tackle topics that are daring, have not been touched upon, creative and will benefit the humane race, and at the same time can be entertaining. And from my greatest achievement when I see my students achieve their goals. As a teacher of the arts, I taught for many years, my students range from 7-80 and to see the spark of exhilaration in their eyes getting things done after subjecting themselves to my grueling instructions is satisfying.
How would you rate current filmmaking?
Some of the current films are fantastic and outstanding in the quality of filming, performance and the humane value. Some films leave a lot to be desired and better off left in the trash bin of history. What is disappointing in some of these films is the spreading of hate and violence and betting one group or race against another.
What are your next projects?
Currently I'm working on an episodic black comedy TV series "Hollywood Untouchables, life during the Covid 19 pandemic was no laughing matter. And a musical theater play "A dream of Vague Shadows" about man VS the machine.
