ÉCU-The European Independent Film Festival

As part of G-Technology’s ongoing support for the ECU community, we’ll be bringing you regular exclusive interviews from filmmakers and producers in the field, sharing top hints and tips.

Let’s kick off with Preston Clay Reed – an independent film producer and member of the bi-coastal, American based production company, Fretboard Pictures LLC. His film The Magician was shortlisted at the European Independent Film Festival (ECU). He’s a G-Technology ambassador, using the drives as an affordable and reliable external storage solution when shooting on RED cameras and during post-production. Here he gives us an exclusive insight into his latest film – Vinyl - which he is working on with the producer of Shrek:

Tell us about your latest exciting project, Vinyl:

“The film is based on the true punk rock hoax. In the summer of 2004, Mike and his band mates hired a young punk band to mime their new pop punk single after his record label told him he was too old rock n roll. To sell the sexy, young image, he put together a music video with the faux band and had them perform the song. The track went straight into the top twenty before they busted the scandal. The film is loosely based on their escapades. We’ll be shooting on location in Rhyl, North Wales at the start of August – the hometown of our real life character and the Sundance award-winning writer/director, Sara Sugarman – and be taking a grassroots approach to the production. In order to create an intimate atmosphere for the actors, we’ll be using minimal crew and minimal equipment. We’ll be moving fast and light with a documentary feel to the film.”

And you have some high profile names working on the film?

“Indeed! We have some amazing partners involved with fantastic films under their belt – Sara Sugarman produced the award-winning feature,Very Annie Mary, along with the Disney feature, Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen. And John H Williams, the producer of Shrek - the number one franchise in cinema history – is our Executive Producer. He’s very passionate about the project and it’s fantastic to have him on board.”

Will you be using any new filming techniques in the field?

“We’ll be building upon a traditional approach to develop new and inventive ways of telling the story. I find that the ‘tried and tested’ methods tend to be the most effective way to communicate with the audience. However, we’re always looking to push the boundaries of tradition in order to establish new standard.”

“We’ll most definitely be experimenting with movement through the use of steady cam to create a strong sense of depth within the frame. We want the audience to move with the characters through the journey as opposed to observe it from a 3rd person perspective.”

Did your shortlisted film at ECU help to raise your profile as a film producer?

“ECU was a blessing to me, there was a great deal of expose that came from being associated with the festival and with G-Technology’s presence too which is well respected and reputable. We’re continuing to use G-Tech in this new project, they’ve always served us well – we stick with what works.”

Would you encourage other filmmakers to enter such festivals?

“I would most certainly urge them to apply and screen their film at the festivals, especially ECU. Without the festival circuit, the indie scene will be lost. It’s where artists congregate and gain inspiration from their colleges. If we don’t support and involve ourselves with festivals, the underground independent movement will fade away and the industry as a whole will become stagnant. Festivals are as valuable to the independent community as light is to an emulsion. We cannot have a clear understanding of the big picture without either.”

Click here to see learn more about Preston Reed’s career and tech set-up.