Film’s post-production begins

CYNTHIA RAMSAY

The list of talented people working on Complexity just got longer. Leo Award-winning editor Brianne Nord-Stewart began with the official trailer, which can be seen on YouTube, and now she’s in the early stages of editing the film itself.

“The talent of both those in front of and behind the cameras was beyond my expectations,” writer/director/actor Adam Bogoch told the Independent. “How the hell did we get Paul Mitchnick (director of photography) and Emilie Ullerup (Clara)? And how the hell did we find such hidden gems like Patrick Spencer (Scott) or Morgan Leaney (Mallory)?

“I’m really happy with the way the story has unfolded, both visually and narratively. I think everyone will connect to something in this film; after all, it’s a story about people. And I’d like to see the individuals who made it possible rewarded. I’d love to see the film bought and paid for numerous times. I want people to see it. I’m really proud of it.”

Producer Mattie Shisko echoed these sentiments.

“I am very, very proud of this project,” she said. “We have been working on it for 19 months now, since Adam started his first draft. Our stellar cast and crew have done a fine job and I hope that it gets the distribution and attention it deserves. I have shown our trailer to a lot of my friends and colleagues and they all say the same thing.... ‘I really want to see this film!’”

About her role in the project, Shisko explained, “Think of the producer as the project manager or managing director of a company. I am responsible for overseeing the entire project, from conception to completion. I am also responsible for hiring all cast and crew, outlining and keeping to budget, equipment hire, locations [and] managing personalities to make sure that we get the ‘day.’ It is sometimes very challenging and also extremely rewarding. I am responsible for overall quality control of anything that goes out publicly associated with the film. I am also responsible for all permits and waivers associated with the production.”

She has done all of this while being a single mom to two children, ages six and nine.

“My kids are involved in football, gymnastics, tennis and music theatre,” she shared with the Independent. “It is a very busy schedule, as I also work four days a week teaching voice at the Vancouver Film School and, on my ‘days off,’ I like to volunteer at the kids’ school, coordinating all of their fine arts programs. I am also in the very early stages of producing a TV series for another new writer/director and we have just completed her first short film, which we will be entering into the festival circuit for next year.”

Complexity also will be submitted to the 2011 film festival circuit and various award shows, and marketed to distributers and television stations.

“What started as a young boy’s hobby and interest has developed over the past eight years into a career choice and a lifestyle for Adam,” said supportive dad and Complexity executive producer David Bogoch.

“From the earliest projects through to the current feature film, my job description has been to help organize cast and crew, make sure they are well fed, happy to be involved in the project, help secure the locations, and pay the bills,” he explained. “I had no idea of what I was getting myself into, but it has been incredibly fun and exciting.

“When I watch a movie or TV show, all I see now is how many locations, how many takes, how many cast and crew it took, how much that shot cost. Adam’s last movie had a cast of seven and a crew of five, plus Adam and myself. This movie, we had a cast and crew of 43, sometimes 25 extras as well. The equipment and vehicle rentals were 10 times the last budget, and the locations, insurance, etc., well, you get the idea.

“When I was just a dad, I had a lot of fun rounding up the actors and camera in the car, driving to the location and watching Adam create. Now, I am watching a young professional on his way to a solid career in the film industry.”

David fondly recalled that, last year at this time, he and Adam were at the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival, where Adam’s Avoid Confrontation garnered two awards.

“At the opening night ceremony, we were milling around outside before entering the facility, taking it all in,” he said. “There were actors, directors, producers and media all around. I noticed this well-dressed man in a tuxedo wave in our direction and make his way towards us through the crowd. I looked behind to see who he was waving at, maybe George Clooney or Al Pacino, but no, he walked right up to Adam and said, ‘Adam Bogoch, nice to meet you and thank you for coming from so far away. I have to tell you, that opening sequence of yours, with the lead male walking and fumbling with the groceries and stepping in dog doo was just incredible, and for you to put 93 minutes on film so well, I am simply amazed.’

“When he introduced himself as the director of the film festival, I was blown away,” continued David. “Not only did this guy in charge recognize Adam in a crowd (Adam’s red hair must have helped a bit), but to know his film and reference a scene and the exact length of the film, and to treat a high school kid so kindly when he could have been pushing flesh with the big shots, needless to say, I was very impressed with the director, but very proud of Adam.”

David added, “I am so thankful to all the seasoned professionals who have worked with Adam on his movies. They see the talent and the dedication, and Adam’s willingness to learn from their experience.”

He continued, “Adam had a year of film school bundled up in the two months of working with Paul [Mitchnick]: one-on-one training with an industry expert. Adam learned from each person on set, whether it was the sound and camera crews, lighting, gaffers and grips, to the art director, first assistant director, through to hair and makeup.”

David also sang the praises of Mattie and noted, “We have been very fortunate to have great friends, family and associates to help fund this movie. As I grew up, I heard many stories of men and women in our community who stepped up to help out a young, hard worker. They knew that helping someone out on their way was a mitzvah, the good and right thing to do.

“These acts of kindness have helped out countless many of us through the years. It was Jack Diamond who used to hire all the Jewish kids at the racetrack, to provide them a summer job, myself included. There were and are so many others who have learned the tradition of helping those out around you, and I must thank every one of those menches who have helped out Adam and me for this movie.”

One of those menches is Saul Kahn, who has an executive producer credit on Complexity.

“After getting my BA at UBC, I ended up in law school in order to ‘get a profession.’ I ended up practising for just a couple of years,” said Kahn, who is now in real estate investment. “I was always interested in old movies and, in retrospect, probably should have gone into film production but didn’t. I first learned of Adam’s interest in movies from his dad, prior to Adam’s first feature, Avoid Confrontation. I’d never acted but somehow ended up doing a bit part in that film. When I heard Adam was writing another screenplay, I decided to pitch in to help this talented young writer/director realize his vision.”

He added, “I think anyone who loves movies, wants to see a talented young man help further develop the local film production industry or simply wants to be a ‘patron of the arts’ should consider contributing to Complexity, especially anyone living in Vancouver, since it’s truly a home-grown production, as opposed to merely another Hollywood movie or TV show being shot in the Vancouver area, which seems to be the case with almost every production in this city.”

Mattie added, “To be in on the eve of a young filmmaker’s career if you are interested in this industry is so exciting. To give back, is another [reason to contribute]. This film has been a labor of love and deserves the final push to see it to fruition. It is ‘the little film that could’ and people should jump on board – they will not be disappointed.”

There are only a few days left for people to contribute to Complexity at indiegogo.com/complexity.

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