Producing an unbiased characteristic movie is a problem by itself. Not to mention doing it within the midst of a worldwide pandemic. That’s precisely the mountain that director Rubidium Wu needed to climb whereas taking pictures his newest movie “The Satan’s Fortune”. We not too long ago had the chance to take a seat down with him to speak concerning the classes he has realized alongside this path.
Rubidium Wu is a author, director, producer, and cinematographer that’s simply coming off from his newest directing effort – the indie characteristic The Satan’s Fortune. You could already know him for his profitable academic work. His YouTube channel Crimson Engine has collected thousands and thousands of views over time, and we’re proud to host his “The Indie Movie Blueprint” course on MZed.
The Satan’s Fortune, which is launching as we speak on Apple TV and Amazon Prime, is Rubidium’s second characteristic movie after Brooklyn Tide (2016). This neo-noir monetary thriller recounts the story of James Treage, a Fund Supervisor that walks into his workplace to search out the useless physique of his accomplice, killed by a crew of Iraqi assassins for taking thousands and thousands from Saddam Hussein’s regime. Earlier than you go on studying, make certain to take a look at the trailer beneath.
Interview with Rubidium Wu – Director of “The Satan’s Fortune”
Q: What drew you to The Satan’s Fortune?
I had learn a few information reviews manner again within the early 2000s about a number of the individuals who had been killed over Saddam Hussein’s lacking billions. It actually appeared like a modern-day cursed treasure, like Tutankhamun‘s tomb or the Hope Diamond. On one other degree, it actually paralleled the 2008 monetary collapse when not simply greed, however wilful ignorance about the place our wealth got here from pushed the entire monetary system to the brink of collapse. The thought sat with me for years and slowly developed into the script that the movie is predicated on.
Q: What had been some challenges throughout the manufacturing?
We began taking pictures in April 2020, which was a fairly eventful time. We solely shot the primary week earlier than being shut down in Los Angeles by the Covid stay-at-home order. We modified protocols and shot one other few days in July 2020, coming again for a ultimate week in November.
It was difficult to say the least as a result of my first duty as a producer is to maintain the solid and crew secure, however no one knew something at the moment about how the virus spreads and whether or not you could possibly nonetheless make movies. There are a whole lot of laborious selections, however I’m actually happy with the truth that there was no transmission on set and we had been nonetheless capable of make the movie.
Q: What had been a few of your highlights throughout the manufacturing?
As a author/director, seeing what was as soon as solely an thought in your head come to life is at all times a thrill. Due to Covid, we additionally needed to discover new open-air places, and a few of them ended up being manner higher. One of many ultimate scenes was meant to happen in a resort room, however we managed to search out an awesome airport hanger on the final second, and it actually added to the dimensions of the movie.
Q: How did you discover the solid for The Satan’s Fortune? What was it like working with them?
We solid via Backstage and actors entry and obtained 1000’s of submissions. It was a whole lot of work sorting via everybody, however the solid ended up being past my wildest desires. I’m a agency believer in the concept that as soon as you discover the correct individual for a job, there’s little doubt in any respect. In the event you don’t discover somebody, particularly for the leads which can be 100% proper, it’s worthwhile to preserve wanting till you do.
Q: What kind of distinctive really feel or look had been you going for with the movie?
The movie is a neo-noir monetary thriller, but it surely’s set in opposition to the canyons and streets of Los Angeles. I attempted to design and light-weight the places as if the world outdoors is on hearth (which parallels the protagonist’s frame of mind). The intense solar is solid as a malevolent pressure, moderately than an illuminating one.
Q: As an educator, you’re at all times seeking to share classes realized as you’re engaged on a venture. What was it like carrying each a filmmaker and educator hat on the similar time?
If you’re making a movie, particularly an unbiased low funds, you’re continually coming throughout challenges and issues which may really feel insurmountable. A solid member quits the evening earlier than a scene, or a lightweight malfunctions simply as you’re establishing.
I’ve discovered that the way you strategy these issues is likely one of the most important selections to make. It’s really easy to get into the mindset of resenting the constraints that you simply face since you don’t have the proper gear, the proper schedule, or an enormous, skilled crew.
However when you view every problem as a studying expertise, overcoming them and sharing your answer creates one thing that’s higher than the present venture you’re engaged on – it’s a software that may assist lots of of different filmmakers attain their very own targets.
Q: The CineD viewers is gear-focused, but it surely’s at all times good to step away from the gear and speak concerning the craft. So, what had been some classes realized from The Satan’s Fortune that you simply’ll take with you to your subsequent movie?
I by no means would’ve been capable of make this movie at such a excessive degree with out the brand new cameras and new lights and new lenses which were featured on CineD over the previous couple of years. You don’t want $1 million to inform a narrative that may attain thousands and thousands.
However the flip aspect of that democratizing pattern is that there are actually extra new movies than ever and you’ll simply get misplaced within the flood of content material. I believe the large pattern for filmmakers within the subsequent decade is to create their very own audiences and construct communities round their work, both via social media or within the native space. No movie, regardless of how nicely shot or nicely scripted, will ever be seen except it will probably discover an viewers.
Be taught extra about indie filmmaking with MZed Professional
There’s a lot that goes into making an indie movie, that it’s laborious to summarize in a brief article. From conception to fundraising, the manufacturing and post-production course of, and naturally the distribution and advertising. There are a few programs at MZed that particularly get you prepped to make your personal indie movie: The Indie Movie Blueprint, and Producing from the Entrance.
As an MZed Professional member, you additionally get entry to almost 300 hours of filmmaking schooling, plus we’re continually including extra programs (a number of in manufacturing proper now).
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- 40+ programs, over 600 high-quality classes spanning over 300 hours of studying.
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- Buying the programs outright would value over $7,600.
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Have you ever ever taken half within the manufacturing of unbiased characteristic or quick movies? What classes did you be taught from these experiences? Tell us within the feedback beneath!
