Vanessa McMahon

Producer Howard Nash speaks about his latest film project The Legends of Nethiah (2011).

I asked Howard to speak with us about both of his films, his most recent project Chasing the Green (2009) and then his current project The Legends of Nethiah (2011).

ME: Hi Howard. Thanks for taking the time to tell us all about your latest film endeavors. Can you speak first about your most recent film Chasing the Green (2009)? Just for those who do not yet know, Chasing the Green is a romantic drama essentially about the values of money in 1990s America where two brothers who become millionaires run into conflict with the FTC and American bureaucracy. The film stars Jeremy London and Ryan Hurst and is directed by Russ Emanuel. Howard, can you tell us what it was about this film that moved you to produce it? And do you think the film is saying something maybe symbolically about American culture in the 90s?

HOWARD: The project came to me through one of the main characters the story is about. I think it says a lot, not only about young ambition (and the mistakes one can make), but also about government bullying, especially bureaucrats who pursue their cases with a personal bent.

ME: Did you work on the set? Where was it filmed and was it difficult or easy to produce?

HOWARD: I was on the set for most of the filming. It was filmed mostly in Westchester NY, and was one of the smoothest shoots I've ever been associated with.

ME: Can you tell us about your latest film The Legends of Nethiah? You must be excited about this film! It looks stellar! Let me sum up. The Legends of Nethiah is an action/adventure/drama/fantasy/sci-fi ensemble about a little boy whose parents are going through a divorce and he copes with his hardship by escaping into another world through the fantastical stories told to him by his grandfather. Howard, can you tell us how you got involved in this film?

HOWARD: We had earlier acquired some of the best sci fi action scenes I had ever seen. It was shot on the Paramount lot about two years ago, originally as a promo for the director and the actor who starred in it. I then worked with Emilio Iasiello, an outstanding writer who developed the central storyline of a troubled boy who finds solace with a sci fi action hero. We raised the money, shot it in L.A., and "locked" the film about one week ago.

ME: What do you hope to see with The Legends of Nethiah? It reminds me of the classic fantasy/adventure films of the 80s that I used to love as a child and a young adult. Like The Princess Bride and Labyrinth. Do you think this film can speak to a wide audience and to any age group?

HOWARD: I do believe the film will appeal to a wide audience, not only because it's a family film, but because sci-fi/adventure films appeal to everybody.

ME: How did you get into producing? Did you always want to produce?

HOWARD: I started out as an actor and producing just sort of happened. I still act occasionally, usually in my own films.

ME: Would you like to speak of any of your past projects...or future ones?

HOWARD: I completed a project just before Chasing the Green, which was a film called PJ, A Journey of the Heart (2008). It was directed by Russ Emanuel (as was "Chasing" and "Legends of Nethiah"). It just completed a run on the TVN (Pay Per View) Network, which went out to more than 40 million households. I'm extremely proud of that.

ME: is there anything you would like to add or share with us about The Legends of Nethiah or Chasing the Green? Is there a certain kind of film genre you prefer or are you mostly inspired to work on a project if it speaks to you on a personal level?

HOWARD: I would say the latter, for sure. If a story does not appeal to me personally, then I see very little reason for doing it. I would like everyone to know that the trailer for "Legends" is available for viewing on its own Facebook page. We're asking everyone to screen the trailer, and then "like" the film if they enjoyed watching it. The link is
http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Legends-of-Nethiah/249122841810
Enjoy !

**Stay tuned for more with actor/writer Jeremiah Sayys

Inteview by Vanessa McMahon on July 31, 2010

The Legend of Nethiah (2011)

view official trailer here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H909FUtEkAI

see Chasing the Green (2009) Howard Nash

trailer here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5qE9DsQ_Ts