Josh Mitchell co-directed CELL PHONES AND ACTION FIGURES along with Patrick Ryan. The 25-minute short has been selected for competition at the New England Film & Video Festival. It will screen MARCH 24TH, 9:30 P.M. at THE COOLIDGE CORNER THEATER. The film features a cell phone salesman who writes a dirty book in an effort to buy an engagement ring for his girlfriend. His world is turned upside down when an eccentric action figure enthusiast steals his car with the books inside. Imagine prepared this interview article from questions submitted to Josh Mitchell. PUB

I: When did you know you wanted to be a director?
Josh: I've always been a supreme movie buff, but my love for filmmaking really blossomed in college. They didn't have a filmmaking department at Roger Williams University, RI so I sort of invented one by devouring any film-related book in the school library and watching any classic I could get my hand on.
I also convinced the journalism faculty to create a screenwriting class. It was my concentration on writing that gave birth to my desire to direct. I used my leverage as president of my class to get the president of the university to invest in my first film ICE CREAM TRUCK. He wrote me out a personal check for $500 and I bought the film with it. I still haven't completed the film but it proved to be
a great learning experience for my current endeavors.

I: How do you prepare yourself to direct?
Josh: I prepare myself to direct by making sure I have a solid grip on the story. I try to bring a lot of energy and freedom to the set. My experience thus far has been with non-professional actors. Therefore, I encourage a lot of natural improvisation that aims to get the scene's goal accomplished. I think when you use amateur actors and ask them to read a script their performances come off as contrived and robotic. But if you let them be themselves and deliver in a way that is familiar to them you will achieve a greater authenticity.

I: Do you favor narrative or documentary?
Josh: Presently, I favor narrative over documentary. Although my current film CELL PHONES AND ACTION FIGURES has a documentary slant to it that has caused a lot of viewers to question if it is actually a true story.

I: How did you finance your current film?
I work full-time as an in-direct salesman for a cell phone company. I won over one of my dealers with the story and gave him a part in the film and he shelled out the funds to rent the camera. All the actors were friends of mine and I convinced all the musicians that the exposure would be worth it for them. We also have an editing system so that helped us cut a lot of corners. Our total budget was a little over $1000.

I: What was your system or practice for rehearsing your actors.
Josh: We shot the whole project in seven days so we couldn't really rehearse the actors. We basically got people to show up on the set and just fed them lines and gave them direction in terms of where we needed the scene to go. It's amazing what you can get out of people if you make them feel comfortable and provide a cool environment.

I: Who is your favorite crewmember or favorite crew position that you direct?
I really enjoyed directing my mother and father. They surprised me with their raw talent and believability. Plus, it was fun getting to tell them what to do for a change.

I: How important is the collaborative process for you?
Josh: Collaboration is essential to making a good film. I depend a great deal on my two creative partners in crime Patrick Ryan and Tristan Rudat. They're extremely technically savvy and they have a tremendous knack for knowing what will and won't work visually. Their key insight and hard work on our short film was the catalyst for us getting it accepted to The New England Film Festival.

I: What is your next project?
Josh: Wickid Pissa Production's next project is a feature film called GERM OF A NEW INSANITY. It centers on an underground writer from Boston who launches to fame and has to deal with all the repercussions of being in the public eye. I'm currently polishing the script and investigating funding opportunities. We plan to start shooting in the spring and we are in dire need of some good talent. Anyone interested please email me at mitchmitchell24@hotmail.com

I: And, finally, where do you see yourself in five and ten years?
Josh: I hope to remain in Boston and keep getting bigger with each project. This is a phenomenal city full of intricate people and places. I want to be as loyal to Boston as Martin Scorcese or Spike Lee is to New York. All my stories and films take place here because this is what I know. Plus, I got the accent.

Josh and his cohorts are also in a rock comedy band called WICKID PISSA. Their song "Pop Goddess" has been featured on WFNX and on an array of college radio stations around the U.S. Visit
http://wickidpissaboston.iuma.com.