d3rang3d Interviews : George Bonilla

We recently reported on the DVD release of Edison Death Machine, the latest movie from George Bonilla, one of this writers must see directors, so it has been a great honour to get the chance to interview the man himself on behalf of d3rang3d. Be sure to check out the official site for Edison Death Machine, and other great films by George Bonilla HERE

George kindly took time out from his busy schedule to answer a few of our questions and share his thoughts with us all.

d3rang3d: You left a successful - and steady - career in television to pursue your own path and have more creative freedom. Any regrets, and has it worked out as you'd hoped?

George Bonilla: No, none. I do miss the Hawaiian weather. We moved here from Hawaii. This was supposed to be a three month visit. While talking to a talent agent here in Lexington he mentioned how there was so much talent in this area. However, he said, since there was no work here they would all move away to New York or Los Angeles. This started me thinking. I thought, why not start a motion picture company here? Bring the work here! My idea was quickly met with scepticism. We were told no way would this ever work! We were going to take people who had never made movies and train them? NO WAY! Well, we are getting ready to start our fifth feature in a row. When we started there were two movie made in Kentucky that year. Between last year and this year there were TWENTY NINE movies shot in the state of Kentucky. We are very proud to have started a trend. We hope this trend goes on and gets bigger and bigger. Also, it helps to have a very helpful Film Commission. They have always said yes to any request we have had. Dian Knight has been so helpful. If you are a film maker they are worth their weight in gold.

d3rang3d: So away from screen and work for a moment before we really get started, what do you like to do to relax - loud music, fishing, a quiet meal out? Tell us how you like to unwind after a hard day.

George Bonilla: Actually, I really love what I do. I think I am happiest when I am shooting, planning, writing, storyboarding or just about anything that has to do with our movies. There is nothing better to relax you than knowing you have it “in the can”.

d3rang3d: And what films have you seen which really hit the spot for you this year?

George Bonilla: I have seen a couple of good indy films. ZEPPO by JERRY WILLIAMS, INTO THE WOODS by CHAD HUNDLEY. AVENGING DISCO VAMPIRES by Daniel Frazier was a hoot! As far as Hollywood films, I still watch my INDIANA JONES DVD's. The only movie I am probably going to go see will be the new BOND picture. A couple of independent movies to watch out for are : IN THE EYE'S OF DARKNESS by Stacey Gillespie, SHADOWS LIGHT by Steve Zimmer, Jim O Rear's THE DEEPENING was very interesting,  and STASH by Can Too productions. I have seen parts of all and they look good. From last year look for FOREVER IN BLACK HILLS by Charles and Mike Shouse. A really good little drama.

d3rang3d: Now, your new movie Edison Death Machine, is just about to hit distribution on the 30th of November. What was your inspiration behind Edison Death Machine, what got you started on the whole concept?

George Bonilla: JERRY WILLIAMS. We were talking one day after we had finished DANCE WITH A VAMPIRE. I told him we needed a good concept for the next picture. He just casually said “have you ever heard of the EDISON DEATH MACHINE”? I had heard something about it years ago. He refreshed my memory. That was all it took. Then the wheels start turning. How? Where? Who? Good guys, bad guys, who do we bring back? It all starts coming together. Late nights scribbling on scraps of paper. Dictating to my wife while I drive. It starts to write itself!

d3rang3d: And, are you happy with how it evolved from idea, to production, to screen?

George Bonilla: Absolutely! It is a great story and the actors are so good in it! Billy W Blackwell, Stacey Gillespie, Mike Van Zant, Ashley Arkels, Cherokee Hall, Frank Santoroski, Len Kirschbaum, David Fultz, Jermaine Greene, Kenny Barnett, and so many others! What a great cast we had on this one!

d3rang3d: We've seen Edison Death Machine screen to wide acclaim, and pick up the award for best special effects at the 2006 Fright Night Film Fest - was it hard work, and can you give us some insights into, how your artistic vision was made a reality?

George Bonilla: It has been pretty wonderfully received. I don't really pay too much attention to the nay sayers. Some critics have axes to grind. We pay them very little attention. But, however, when someone takes the time to notice your work and write a review that is thoughtful and fair we appreciate it. Good or bad as long as it is fair. EDISON has received some very good write ups and some fantastic word of mouth. We are always grateful for that. As far as the challenges. It is always an incredible task to create and then see a movie to completion. I am always amazed when someone shows up and thinks that it will be done in a couple, of hours! I had one girl ask for a starring role. She had a good look and spoke well so I talked with her. When I asked about time she told me she could put a couple of hours aside to star in a  movie. She was serious! When I told her a staring role would mean twelve to sixteen hour days for weeks and weeks she was stunned. That was that. I always appreciate anyone who has the talent and tenacity to make a film. Even if you don't like the movie it took a Herculean amount of work to get it to where you can watch it.

d3rang3d: A film isn't just the work of one man, there's always a big cast and crew involved. Any interesting stories from the making of Edison Death Machine you'd care to share with us, and anyone among cast and crew you'd like to single out for a special mention?

George Bonilla: I always say we have the best crew in the state! Our people are top notch! We train everyone from the ground up. Believe me they are good! I can't really mention them all. We had so many great people. Belinda Cooke is one of the best Executive Producers in the business. Todd Burrows works his butt off. Tammy Bonilla does it all! Jerry Williams helped put the whole thing together and directed several things. Doug Campbell our problem solver. I mean, Bob Cooke on lights, Sam Pedenu on camera, Tony, Matt, Cecilia. Xyliena, Keith, Eek, Chad, Brain, Russ, Raymond, Trey, Ken, and so many others.  It is just too many to mention and we could not have done it without them! The only problem we have is people stealing them or that they strike out on their own and make movies. That's good for all of us. I hate to lose anyone but, every time another one of us makes a good picture we ALL win!

d3rang3d: In keeping with your previous films - here I've got to mention Zombie Planet which I loved - Edison Death Machine is much more character driven than many movies today. Do you think a lot of modern directors have lost their way, have let style triumph over substance?

George Bonilla: Yes, I do. Far be it from me to throw stones. But, I talked to two people from Hollywood in a one month span and was told the same thing from both! They both told me that we need to get rid of the characters, lose the plots, and drop the dialogue. Give us blood and boobs! Blood and boobs! I was so disgusted; I actually told the one lady that if that was what I had to do I would just get out. There’s nothing wrong with those movies. It is just not a challenge to me. I want to be entertained when I watch a movie. I want to care about the people I see. I want to know the story. I want to see a movie!

d3rang3d: What was the biggest challenge you faced on the set of Edison Death Machine?

George Bonilla: The action sequences. Action is always difficult. Not from a shooting point of view but from a safety point of view. I always say that there is no movie made worth getting a person hurt over. We practice for weeks, we plan, we re-plan. We try our best to be as safe as possible. We had two great fight choreographers on this picture. Grand Master Len Kirschbaum and Black Belt Hall of Famer David A Fultz. I hope to have them back on MONSTROSITY. Then they both will be working on ENTER THE MASKED MAN. It is action packed!

d3rang3d: Okay, we're going to put you in the audience along with the fans of Edison Death Machine. The credits are just rolling at the end. What was your favourite scene of the film?

George Bonilla: You know, that's a tough one. I like the Pirate, the Mummy, the draw down scene, I like most all of them! I have seen this movie thousands of time. I was telling Frank Santoroski, who plays DOMINIC CONTESSI that I was testing a new copy the other day. I was also busy doing other things. Before I know it, I am sitting watching the entire movie. It just kind of draws your attention. I think we made a pretty good little movie.

d3rang3d: And are there any scenes that didn't work out quite as you intended, things you would like to go back and change if you had chance maybe?

George Bonilla: Well, you always would like to do a few things differently. But, overall I am happy with the way it came out.

d3rang3d: Now you're out of the audience and in the movie. It's all real. Who would you bring back, and why?

George Bonilla: Probably a couple of Hollywood greats. Charles Chaplin to ask him what it was like in the beginning. Errol Flynn to tell me the dirt.

d3rang3d: Let's look to the future now. I've seen the teaser poster for "Enter the Masked Man" due in Spring 2007, but very little other info on it - it's a longshot, but would you like to give our d3rang3d readers the inside knowledge, or a few hints to whet their appetites? And what else is in the future for George Bonilla?

George Bonilla: I could go on about ENTER THE MASKED MAN for hours. It is unique. The story of a masked hero who wages war against an evil leader then one day disappears. Gone. Thirty years later the same leader has now risen back to power and threatens to take over the world. The masked man comes back to fight him again. It is a very complex story with martial arts action like no other movie. This masked man has the ability to fight in ANY style known to man! Anyway, the story has become so big that we have decided to do another feature before it. We start shooting MONSTROSITY in March. That way, we have more time to develop MASKED MAN and create props and costumes. It is really going to be spectacular. It takes place in 2030 so lots of prep will be needed. MONSTROSITY is also a very good story. It is the story of several people who get trapped in this large factory. Then...Can't give away much. But, the title gives you a clue. Xyliena Preator , Tammy Bonilla and Mike Van Zant who did the fantastic effects work on EDISON will create the creature. We also are working on getting an effects man who sculpted some of the creatures for NARNIA to come in. He approached us!

d3rang3d: Well, you've certainly had a lot of experience within the industry, and you've had the guts to go it alone to work on projects that you love. I know that d3 has some aspiring writers and directors among its readers - any tips or thoughts you'd care to share that might help them out on that sometimes difficult path?

George Bonilla: I'll pass on words of wisdom from the great BRUCE CAMPBELL. When I asked him what I should do he said “Preparation! Preparation! Preparation!"

Also, I do want to say that there has never been a better time in the history of motion picture to make your own movie than NOW! Get a good camera and make a movie! Get you family and friends. Get a story that is realistic for you to make. Don't try and make GONE WITH THE WIND on a dime. Be real but get going! People want to see what you have to offer. BLAIR WITCH was turned down by everyone. We were told we couldn't do it! There are still people now who say we can't do it! We are doing it! You can too!

d3rang3d: Finally, it's been a pleasure interviewing you and thank you so much for taking the time to speak to us. Any last thoughts, on any topic at all, you'd like to share with our readers?

George Bonilla: Just as I said before. Now is the time. Get involved. Don't want to make movies? Then paint, act, dance, sing, just have fun.

d3rang3d: Thank you from d3rang3d and on behalf of all our readers for taking the time out to speak to us and share your thoughts. On behalf of everyone here I'd like to wish you all of the best for the future and every success + happiness.

George Bonilla: Thank you for the opportunity and I really appreciate it. Be sure to visit our websites - HERE - and keep independent films alive! Thanks again.