Michael Simmonds

Get to know Cinematographer Michael Simmonds (Nerve, Vice Principals)

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Michael Simmonds is a wealth of knowledge when he chats about his love of cinematography. He is a man who is constantly looking into the future and only looking back when inspiration is needed. He is a rare talent who is able to move seamlessly from documentary to TV to feature films.  It was an honor to chat with him.

Read the FULL Interview at http://www.matthewtoffolo.com

VP had very tight scripts and David Gordon Green would create film level blocking. The actors definitely added to the dialgue, but not any more or less than other projects I have been involved with. On a comedy, even if the actors improvise, its in regards to dialogue and not their actual movement, so it does not effect me. I alwas operate with headphones on so I can hear the actors perfectly and I can anticipate their movement.

Photo: Danny McBride vs Walton Goggins in “Vice Principals”:

vice_principals_tv_show.jpeg

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Read Best of Interviews with Film Professionals and Festival Directors

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Featuring the best of movie interviews on a daily basis:

READ Today’s Interviews with Film Professionals:

Interview with Supervising Sound Editor Wylie Stateman (The Hateful Eight, Home Alone, JFK) – Wylie Statement is a gem. It’s a simple as that. This is truly one of my favorite interviews. In my subjective opinion, it’s a must read for anyone working in the industry today, and for those attempting to get into the industry. His answers were entertaining, educational, and there is a theme that ties it all together. See if you can figure it out. Hope you enjoy.

Interview with The Newton Brothers (Composers – Ouija: 2, The Runner) – What a great time I had chatting with the extremely talented Newton Brothers (Andrew Grush & Taylor Stewart). A composing team that has already “scored” an impressive resume. I talked with them while they were in the midst of promoting their composing work on the horror film “Ouija: Origin of Evil.”

Interview with Storyboard Artist Yoriaki Mochizuki (The Lego Movie, Storks) – It was definitely an education chatting with story artist Yoriaki Mochizuki. He chats about working storyboarding animation movies and how it can be a much more creative process than working on live action films, and so much more….

Interview with Composer Henry Jackman (Birth of a Nation, Captain America 2 & 3) –  “Quote from Interview: The future is always a guess. If you go back 30 years in music in film, the tolerance then is different than it is today. There is more variety in music in film today. Film scores are now a broad church. Producers are less freaked out by a wide score of music composed in a film. People now listen to a wider range of music so in relation there is more freedom for the composer to add a wider range. So the future is probably going to simply go wider as access to all kinds of music that people listen to become less judgemental.”

Interview with Editor Valerio Bonelli (The Martian, Philomena) – If you’re interested in storytelling, this is the interview for you. Editor Valerio Bonelli has edited over 30 films in the last 20 years, working with some of the top directors, including many collaborations with Ridley Scott (The Martian, Black Hawk Down, Hannibal, and the Oscar winner Gladiator), and Stephen Frears (Philomena, The Program). In this interview, he gives a lot of amazing insight on the art of editing a feature film and what it takes to succeed in Hollywood.

Interview with Cinematographer Michael Simmonds (Nerve, Vice Principals) – Michael Simmonds is a wealth of knowledge when he chats about his love of cinematography. He is a man who is constantly looking into the future and only looking back when inspiration is needed. He is a rare talent who is able to move seamlessly from documentary to TV to feature films.  It was an honor to chat with him.

Interview with Sound Mixer Tony Dawe (Return of the Jedi, Alice in Wonderland, Troy) – Tony Dawe has definitely witnessed a lot of things on set working sound, working on over 120 productions in the last 40 years. It was an honor to interview him after the craft of sound mixing on set and preparing the post-production sound department.

Interview with Stunt Performer Lisa Dempsey (Titanic, Sully, Minority Report) – What an honor to chat with one of the most regarded stunt performers in the industry today. Lisa Dempsey has worked on over 100 productions in the last 25+ years. Her answers are a wealth of knowledge for film fans and people interested in working in the Film & TV industry.
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READ Today’s Interview with Film Festival Directors

Interview with the Executive Director of VanChan (The Vancouver Channel) – VanChan or “The Vancouver Channel” is a North American, MONTHLY, webisode festival in where the contestants create a pilot WEB SERIES. Comedy, Drama, Cooking show? Anything goes.

Interview with Festival Director Danny MAlin (YES! Let’s make a Movie Film Festival) – This festival aims to bring together all corners of the globe to share passion of filmmakers.

Interview with Festival Director Jon Mercurio Knight (Wasteland Film Festival) – The Wasteland Film Festival is entering its fifth year and only growing bigger. The highlight short films with especially post-apocalyptic subject matter and, in addition, alternative films displaying a certain character right at home in the post nuke society.

Interview with Festival Director Moosa Saleem (Access Code Short Film Festival) – After amazing 8 editions, we are here again. It’s a festival where 200 movies are played, more than any of the festival in the world. Almost every film that enters the festival will be screened at the festival, no matter how many days the festival runs.

Interview with Festival Director Michael Harrington (Wandering Reel Traveling Film Festival) – Wandering Reel is a traveling short film festival with a focus on bringing meaningful films to communities with limited or no access to compassionate, thought-provoking cinema. We strive to engage our audiences in deeper conversation about the role of cinema, and how films can relate to community, conscious living, and contribute to making the world a stronger and more unified place.

Interview with Festival Director Anamika Raj (GardenCity Film Festival) – GardenCity Film Festival is one of the most appreciated in the country by several critics. It’s main focus is student and female filmmakers from around the world. We are happy to introduce the local audience to a range of most recent, cinematically daring and powerful filmmaking from around the globe.
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Interviewer Matthew Toffolo is currently the CEO of the WILDsound FEEDBACK Film & Writing Festival. The festival that showcases 10-50 screenplay and story readings performed by professional actors every month. And the FEEDBACK Monthly Festival held in downtown Toronto on the last Thursday of every single month. Go to www.wildsound.ca

TV CONTESTSUBMIT your TV PILOT or TV SPEC Script
Voted #1 TV Contest in North America.		 FILM CONTESTSUBMIT your SHORT Film
Get it showcased at the FEEDBACK Festival
writing CONTEST1st CHAPTER or FULL NOVEL CONTEST
Get full feedback! Winners get their novel made into a video!		 SCREENPLAY CONTESTSUBMIT your FEATURE Script
FULL FEEDBACK on all entries. Get your script performed

Today’s Quote: Cinematographer Michael Simmonds (Vice Principals)

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On his ideal director:

I want a good collaborator in a director, someone who is not afraid of communication. Good ideas come from lots of ideas. Although a director needs a “vision” they also need to explore all possibilities in a scene. They must be a leader and exciting, but egoless. Their decision process should not be based on fear, which is rare. Most people make decisions based on fear, which makes for a weak film. Bold choices make good films.

Read the full interview at www.matthewtoffolo.com here

Today’s Interviews from Hollywood Artists and Indy Filmmakers

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Featuring the best of movie interviews on a daily basis:

READ Today’s Interviews:

Interview with Cinematographer Michael Simmonds (Nerve, Vice Principals) – Michael Simmonds is a wealth of knowledge when he chats about his love of cinematography. He is a man who is constantly looking into the future and only looking back when inspiration is needed. He is a rare talent who is able to move seamlessly from documentary to TV to feature films. It was an honor to chat with him.

Interview with Editor Tia Nolan (How to be Single, Friends with Benefits) – Chatting with Tia Nolan about the craft of editing was a pure joy. Her recent credits include: How to be Single (2016), Angie Tribeca season 2 (2016), Annie (2014), Friends with Benefits (2011), The Woman (2008), and Bewitched (2005). She is a wealth of knowledge in the art of making a great comedy – as you’ll learn in his interview. Enjoy!

Interview with Editor Greg D’Auria (Star Trek Beyond, Fast & Furious 6) – Greg D’Auria is very modest as you’ll see when you read this interview. He’s a wealth of knowledge and an amazing storyteller – as he seems to be the last to know this! He has worked in the editorial department on over 30 productions in the last 20 years. His list of credits include: Star Trek Beyond (2016), Eloise (2016), Fast & Furious 6 (2013), Django Unchained (2012), & Kill Bill Vol. 1 (2003). It was an honor to interview him.

Interview with director Eric Romero (Native Immigration) – NATIVE IMMIGRATION, directed by Eric Romero played to rave reviews at the July 2016 Comedy Film Festival. It was an honor to sit down with him and chat about his career and short film.

Interview with director Tim Butcher (CLEAN BREAK) – CLEAN BREAK, directed by Tim Butcher was the winner of Best Overall Performances at the July 2016 Comedy Short Film Festival. It was an honor to sit down with him to chat about his film and filmmaking career.

Interview with director Kyran Davies (STEPHEN THE TIME TRAVELLING DOG) – STEPHEN THE TIME TRAVELLING DOG, directed by Kyran Davies is perhaps one of the most loved films that was ever played at a WILDsound Festival. The audience attending the July 2016 Under 5 minute FEEDBACK Film Festival LOVED this film. It was a pleasure interviewing the director, especially because his answers were all funny.

Interview with director Lior Sperando (PEOPLE OF NOWHERE) – PEOPLE OF NOWHERE, directed by Lior Sperando, was the winner of Best FILM at the July 2016 Under 5min. FEEDBACK Film Festival. It was one of the most popular films that has ever played at the festival.

Interview with Writer/Director Rebecca Miller (Maggie’s Plan) – It was an honor sitting down with writer/director Rebecca Miller to talk about her film “Maggie’s Plan”, which opened in the USA on May 20th, and opens in Canada on June 10th. The film stars Greta Gerwig, Ethan Hawke, Julianne Moore, Travis Fimmel, Bill Hader, and Maya Rudolph.

Interview with Cinematographer Adam Stone (Midnight Special, Take Shelter) – In his brief career, Adam Stone has already established himself as one of the top DPs in the industry today.

FilmFreeway Founder Zachary Jones – 2 Year Anniversary Interview – FilmFreeway has taken the film industry by storm since this indy startup launched 2 years ago. It is now the #1 platform in the world for filmmakers to submit their films and screenplays to festivals, trumping Withoutabox, which is owned and operated by the billion $ corporation Amazon. It’s quite an achievement. And they have succeeded by doing the right thing, and with integrity.

Interview with Cinematographer Trent Opaloch (Captain America: Civil War) – Trent Opaloch is easily the most talented and sought after cinematographers in the world today. He has DP’d for director Neil Blomkamp on “District 9”, “Elysium”, and “Chappie”, and director’s Anthony & Joe Russo on “Captain America: Winter Soldier”, and the upcoming “Captain America: Civil War”. It was an honor to sit down with him to chat about his career and the art of cinematography.

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Interviewer Matthew Toffolo is currently the CEO of the WILDsound FEEDBACK Film & Writing Festival. The festival that showcases 10-50 screenplay and story readings performed by professional actors every month. And the FEEDBACK Monthly Festival held in downtown Toronto on the last Thursday of every single month. Go to www.wildsound.ca for more information and to submit your work to the festival.