Writer/director Mike Reilly and producer Jonathon Kitchen teamed up to create “Road to Victory,” an independent feature about a college quarterback (Reilly) struggling with sexual dysfunction. But their film also tackled the world of collegiate sports, the expectations that come along with it, even steroids. Here, I talk to the creative team about their film and future plans.
WWTW: Tell me about the inspiration behind “Road to Victory.”
Mike Reilly: The inspiration for the film can really be boiled down to two things – an original and fascinating subject matter and the opportunity to explore the human condition in an extremely intimate matter. I think that it could be argued that these two elements have been at the heart of what has drawn man to the storyteller ever since we first started doing it.
Jonathon Kitchen: The initial concept for the script was related to Mike while he was in college, and the story was shared with him personally by an acquaintance he played football with. Mike was completing his pre-med degree at that time, and saw a lot of correlation between his friend’s plight, and some of the nagging doubts he himself had about the medical profession he was about to enter.
While the story originated in the world of college sports, we never set out to make a sports movie. We always felt that the issues presented in the film related to everyone, and not just athletes. Football was always meant to be just a backdrop, so we could have the character of an athlete; someone with an innate drive that an audience could understand had something important at stake.
WWTW: Some directors say shooting on a tight budget can force them to be more creative – did you find that to be the case while shooting “Victory?”
MR: It really did, and not always in an immediately positive way. One loss from a lack of production value was the inability to see our main character in the world of college football, which was originally written into the script. Football is such a cultural phenomenon in the United States that I assumed its importance to our main character would be taken for granted.
What we were able to achieve cinematically was a smaller scale of this world, and some of the initial audience response was that they didn’t understand the importance of football to the main character. This forced us to be extremely creative in the process of re-shoots, post-production, and even re-writes in the form of voice-over narration to create a back-story to motivate our protagonist.
JK: Being that the film was a DIY (Do It Yourself) independent project from the outset, bringing “Road To Victory” to this point has been both a rewarding and punishing process. Successfully completing a feature film is a daunting task.
It was always my fear during the making of RTV, that ultimately, it would ask too much of the audience, particularly as an unconventional love story that skips over the typical Hollywood honeymoon portion of the relationship.It asks the audience to forgive these two imperfect characters who can be so (simultaneously) cruel and tender to each other.
WWTW: What lessons did you learn during the shoot? How would you approach your next film differently?MR: There were several scenes we shot with multiple cameras (two or more) and the resulting performances were night and day better than other parts of the film. It frees up the actors to be creative and to take chances. I know, because I was one of them. The last thing any actor wants to do, is nail a scene, and then be asked if they can replicate something organic, imperfect, honest, and all together human for more camera angles.
JK: For future projects, one goal is to take the steps needed to get recognizable talent in front of the camera. The interesting thing is even a two-minute cameo from known film actor can make all of the difference in the world in terms of your projects potential marketability (for both domestic and foreign territories).
WWTW: Talk about the film festival journey and the work required to take the finished film and find a distributor. Is there a blueprint for this? Did other independent filmmakers offer you advice?
MR: This model is constantly shifting, and let’s be blunt; Studios are now financially dependent upon independent film, so there is a tremendous amount that goes on behind the scenes, pre-submission, etc…
The word “independent” just means made outside the studio. George Lucas is the most successful and famous “independent” filmmaker of all time.
At our level, the quality can vary from something that comes from Fox Searchlight, Disney, or others, to downright guerrilla. I think that critical acclaim, in conjunction with the trailer, is probably the best way to ascertain whether or not a film warrants your time and tastes.
JK: For truly independent filmmakers, (without a publicity team in place or studio / agency to back them), a 2nd tier festival run is a great way to garner much needed exposure for your film.
If you are fortunate enough to be selected to screen at some of these events, it will help you to plant the seeds needed to successfully deliver a “marketable product” to interested distribution companies. Crucial elements such as: press coverage, positive reviews from film critics, “official selection” laurels, awards, etc., will all help to legitimize your film / product.
One of the many perks of attending film festivals is networking with other up and coming filmmakers. There is a wealth of knowledge, advice and war stories shared, all of which are priceless.
WWTW: What’s next for you? More film festivals? Meetings with potential distributors? Do you have your next film in your sights?
MR: We are now accepting offers from various agents and reps who are interested in selling the film to distributors for us.
I am currently researching the next project, which is all about the rise to power of the American Medical Association. It is a true story, and a period piece, and the only thing that I don’t like about it is that the story is just heart-breaking. It is my hope that by continuing to research the facts and people, that I can figure out a way to provide the audience with an ending that at least ends on a note of hope.
JK: We are currently working hard to complete some important marketing materials and waiting to hear back from a number of international film festivals we’ve submitted to, so we’re hoping to hear some positive news in the coming weeks.
The next project involves a simultaneous release of a feature film and feature length documentary. The idea is to create awareness and interest in the issue by raising questions with the film, and then answering those questions with facts presented in the documentary.
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