#bigjackfilms

Our March Spotlight is Filmmaker BigJackFilms!

Check out the full interview and don't forget to apply here: http://conbravoofficial.tumblr.com/spotlight

1. How did you become interested in film?

I was raised on a lot of classic and special effects films at a very young age. My uncles had shown me four films on VHS that was the real spark for me and those were King Kong (1933), King Kong Lives, Jaws and Jaws 2. While also being exposed and a fanboy of Star Wars and Anime at the time, it was a trip to Universal Studios Florida back in 1998 that lit my fascination with filmmaking and what I wanted to do for a living.

2. What sort of stuff did you film when you were starting out?

My first film, believe it or not, was a rendition of Star Wars Episode I prior to the movie coming out back in 1999. After watching the episode of Muppet Babies titled Gonzo’s Video Show, I grabbed my parents VHS camera, my sister and a few friends and whatever toys were lying around and we “Pre-Created” the movie of how it was gonna play out in our heads. After which I started making more short films with friends and some of these have either been lost or were never finished. In the course of a few years, I took a break from making films and picked back up using a newly bought DVD camera and began a fascination with LEGO films. Once YouTube and the internet were more available to me, I started making LEGO videos on my YouTube channel using a primitive Webcam from a LEGO Studios set. By 2010, I started gaining access to better technology and cameras and set about making my first feature film, while on the side creating movie reviews which have kept me busy on a weekly basis.

3. What's your favourite genre to film?

Ever since I was a kid, I’ve always been a fan of special effects and action movies. The best are those that use elaborate practical effects with Stop Motion Animation, miniatures and creature suits and puppets. I’ve also been fascinated and awed by anime films and shows with their complex stories and characters as well as their creativity for creatures and worlds.

4. Is there anything you'd love to do on your channel (like a dream video you'd like to make)?

My videos have always had some form of large ambitions. Most of my movie reviews have always kept me busy and it's basically my job now. But I’ve been wanting to take my reviews in a larger direction creating stories with established characters and expanding it with short films and possible features. I love to work on videos with large ideas and cheap special effects.

5. Besides film, what else do you like to do in your spare time?

I like to mostly socialize with other creators and talents throughout where I live. I love going to local cons and meeting new people with talented cosplays and creators on YouTube. Aside from that I love to LARP (Live Action Role Play) cause it helps me come up with stories for possible future projects.

6. What films do you have planned for the future?

My remake of King Kong was a major challenge and test to see what my efforts could do for a feature film and how I can improve on them. My next big project I want to get off the ground is a live-action web series continuation of the Manga/Anime, InuYasha. Rather than remake the series, I want to continue the story and expand the world with its iconic characters. Give it basically The Lord Of The Rings treatment on a micro-budget.

7. Any tips for anyone who wants to get into film?

If you wanna make a massive epic or special effects driven film, you gotta be well prepared. Make sure you’ve got all that you need listed and bought and have it all organized so your set to shoot when you’re ready.