IndependentCritics:

Tell me about the process of filming "The Ape."

Vince:

"The Ape" was an experiment.  James co-wrote "The Ape" with Merriwether Williams for production at Playhouse West. We changed very little from the stage production, and used almost every actor from the original stage production.

IndependentCritics:

My understanding is that the only person in the film not in the original cast is the woman who plays the boss in the film.

Vince:

Exactly.

IndependentCritics:

How did that work out? I would think, in some ways, this film could easily be turned into a joke. I mean you have a man who, basically, spends the entire film conversing with an ape in a wide variety of ways.

Vince:

Very true. That was a big advantage to having the original cast. They lived with these characters for three months on stage. When we started filming, they already had a history with the characters and had developed a chemistry with each other.

IndependentCritics:

According to IMDB, "The Ape" was filmed on approximately a $225,000 budget. By today's standards, that's amazing.

Vince:

True. We knew our first film would have a modest budget. We chose "The Ape", even though James has several other scripts, because it lended itself to a smaller budget. Much of the action takes place in an apartment.

IndependentCritics:

And you attracted some View Askew folks to help?

Vince:

Yes. James and I had met David Klein, who did the cinematography for Kevin Smith on "Clerks" and "Chasing Amy." He introduced us to Smith. David ended up doing the photography on "The Ape" and was one of the film's producers. He is also working on our next two films. He also hooked us up to Scott Mosier, who edits for View Askew and edited "The Ape."

IndependentCritics:

It must have helped to have people working on your film who had experience working on a a modest budget but producing a quality film.

Vince:

Absolutely.

IndependentCritics:

If I am correct, this is not your first time to produce a film?

Vince:

No, it's not.  I acted for a few years, then ended up producing "Prairie Dogs," a film I did with George Wendt in 2001.

IndependentCritics:

How did this evolve into your current production company?

Vince:

James and I have been acting together for about eight years now, and had worked on several shows together.  He started to boom, first in "Freaks & Geeks" then James Dean. It just has kept growing, and a couple years ago we started looking at producing films. We started Rabbit Bandini Productions with a primary emphasis on supporting the independent filmmaker.

IndependentCritics:

Okay, I give. Where'd you get the name Rabbit Bandini?

Vince:

We're both into literature. Rabbit comes from John Updike's "Rabbit at Rest," my favorite novel. Bandini is taken from the character Arturo Bandini in "Ask the Dust," which is actually getting ready to be released as a film.

IndependentCritics:

What have you learned now that your first film is done?

Vince:

Well, like I said, "The Ape" was really an experiment. I think that's really a better question for James since he directed the film. I do think we'd consider re-writing the screenplay specifically for film. We're all happy with the film, though. One of the things I've learned over the course of showing this film to numerous film festival crowds is that if I preface the screening with saying to the audience not to take the film too seriously, that Merriwether used to be the head writer on "Sponge Bob Square Pants" and the "feel" of the movie is on that level, people seem to like it better. 

IndependentCritics:

You've got two more films nearly wrapped up. Are these higher budget films? Are you utilizing the same cast?

Vince:

Yes, our budget has grown probably about four times that of "The Ape," though it's still under $1,000,000 per film. We have used many of the same actors as well and, once again, both films in production, "Good Time Max" and "Fool's Gold" are scripts written by James and Merriwether. James is also directing both films.  I would look for "Good Time Max" to be released first.

IndependentCritics:

What is in the future for Rabbit Bandini?

Vince:

James and I are looking at options for expanding our options. We are reading additional screenplays, and would like to produce an even higher budget film, possibly starring more big names.

IndependentCritics:

What about you, Brian? How'd you hook up with with Vince and James?

Brian:

I'm actually the elder statesman of the group. I was at Playhouse West when both James and Vince began classes. I actually got started in acting late. I was in my late 20's when I started at Playhouse West. My father was an actor, and when I started showing an interest in acting as a child he said "there will be no child actors in this family." I really didn't back into it until my late 20's. I quickly realized how much I had missed it.

IndependentCritics:

Okay, you play an ape in "The Ape"...Or, at least you play a man dressed like an ape. Like I was saying to Vince, this could have easily become a joke. Was this a challenging character for you?

Brian:

Not really. I'd played the character onstage for 3 months. I was used to it, and used to wearing the mask. Once I put the mask on, I could block everything else out and just throw myself into the character. There were no distractions.

IndependentCritics:

When actors talk about shooting a film, you often hear that the hardest part is the end. You've spent however much time shooting the film and bonding with each other, then it's over. On a certain level, you guys have transcended this issue.

Brian:

Absolutely. It's great. Because we've worked together before, there's a lot of trust. Because we're friends, I can count on James or Vince to give me an adjustment if I need one. This film has been about the best experience I've ever had making a film...well, with the possible exception of that one day with Spielberg.

IndependentCritics:

That's right. I remember that. You had a part in  "The Lost World: Jurassic Park." It was good?

Brian:

It was a wonderful experience. I sat next to Spielberg much of the day. I asked him questions all day..."What about this shot?" "What about that shot?" I even talked with him over lunch. He was so open and so nice the entire day, one of the nicest people I've met in the business. He was patient and answered all my questions.

IndependentCritics:

You do have quite the diverse acting background. You've acted in everything from student films to Jurassic Park to an indie fave like "L.A. Confidential." In this film, you play an "Ape"...in one of your upcoming films, I saw where you're playing "God." That's quite a range.  Which do you prefer, stage or film?

Brian:

Theatre until I die. It's live, thrilling. It's the actor's medium. We didn't change anything about my character in "The Ape" from stage to screen...same mask, same lines, same character.

IndependentCritics:

This may be rude, but I'm going to ask. Feel free to ignore me. You read a lot about the struggling actor, the people who never make it. You also read a lot about the mega celebrities. You read very little about the everyday, working actor. You aren't necessarily a household name, but you've been steadily working in film since 1990. You've got 28 films to your credit. Are you able to make a living as an actor?

Brian:

I do now, but it was a long time coming.

IndependentCritics:

So, it's possible?

Brian:

If you are only out here for the money, then you're probably going to end up heartbroken. If you are in Hollywood to be an actor because you have to...it's absolutely what you have to do, then it can happen. If you keep studying, you keep working at it...if you stay out here and you do have talent...eventually, it'll happen and you'll get recognized. I've seen quite a few get frustrated and give up...if you have talent, keep studying and keep working at it eventually you'll get noticed. There's always plays and theatre, too.

IndependentCritics:

I'm curious. What'd you think of the Oscars this year?

Brian:

I loved "Capote." I loved "Walk the Line" and "Syriana." I love Clooney...real good example. He could have had the "FU" money, but he put his money and his talent into incredible films this year.

IndependentCritics:

Which brings about the question, is it possible to make a truly independent film anymore? It seems like even the "indies" are tied into the bigger studios...you have Sony Classics, Warner Independent and so on...

Brian:

So true. Where are films like "The Brothers McMullen" and "Star Maps." You look at Sundance this year...that's not what Sundance is supposed to be about.

IndependentCritics:

I'm curious. It sounds like this group of actors/friends has been working together for much of the last eight years. Now, one of you has really achieved a pretty high degree of success. James has won a Golden Globe...he's in the "Spider-Man" films...he's a star. Is there any tension? stress? jealousy?

Vince:

I knew the first time I laid eyes on James that he was just so unique. His look, his presence...there'd just never been anyone like him that I'd known. I've always known he would be famous. There was never any doubt. I can't speak for the entire cast, but I'd have to say no.

IndependentCritics:

What's the future hold?

Vince:

We plan to keep producing films. Rabbit Bandini will keep getting bigger. We'll finish up these films and keep working together at Playhouse West.

Brian:

I've got a few things in the works. I can't really talk about them yet. It's all Hollywood, man. It's all Hollywood.

IndependentCritics:

I understand. I thank you both for your time. I really appreciate you taking so much time out of your day to speak with me.

Vince:

You're welcome. Thank you.