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be me: Before we delve into questions about the movie, how did you get into the film industry?
Daniel: Brad (Story, Director) and I started working together in high school. It was really helpful to have a partner in crime because we drove each other to succeed. Each project was bigger than the last, and we really learned filmmaking through experience. Also, I interned at Lionsgate during high school and the first two years of college. My experiences there gave me a very good understanding of how films are produced and marketed in a studio environment.
be me: What inspired you to be involved in Palo Alto?
Daniel: Brad and I have been working together since we were in high school, and have essentially built up our skill level and experience together. Since 2002, we have been gearing up to do our first feature. This is really the culmination of 4 years of work. When Brad and Tony (Story, Screenplay, and Associate Producer) originally pitched me on the idea, I was thrilled that this was going to be our debut into Hollywood.
be me: What is the premise of PALO ALTO?
Daniel: PALO ALTO follows four college freshmen on their last night of Thanksgiving break. It is this dissimilar group of friends’ first time home since leaving for school, and throughout the course of the night they discover that their small hometown has much more to offer then they ever expected. It is a realistic portrayal of suburban life in modern-day America and explores the phenomenon of rediscovering your home.
be me: When will people be able to view it? How?
Daniel: The film will be completed by the end of January '07. At that point we will be submitting it to festivals and pitching the project to distributors. We are obviously hoping for a theatrical release some time next year, but it is a competitive marketplace and the type of distribution we are able to secure is up in the air at this point.
be me: How long did it take to make the movie?
Daniel: The script was conceived in November of 2004. To develop, finance, produce and post the movie, it has taken about two years. Principal photography was 40 days.
be me: Is that a normal time frame for production?
Daniel: This is all fairly standard for a project of this size and scope.
be me: What was the toughest feat in the making of the movie?
Daniel: The biggest challenge for us is that the actors we have on board have several other projects at the same time. Throughout production we were constantly shifting things around to accommodate for bigger productions. Our flexibility was a huge part of how we were able to make this movie happen. We were lucky to be working with a crew that was excited and ready to roll with the punches and to be filming in a town that welcomed us with open arms. From the first day of principal photography, the schedule was never locked, but we worked really hard to deal with a plan that was constantly shifting.
be me: If you had to choose your favorite aspect of this experience, what would it be?
Daniel: I'd say the best part of making PALO ALTO is the family that we built around the production. This was a large collaborative effort, and the cast and crew bonded around a common goal. We all continue to stay in touch, and I think the genuine creative energy behind the project really comes across on screen.
Also, it is incredible to realize that the majority of our crew was under the age of twenty. This project truly bridges the gap between an independent film and a student film. The making of the movie has been professional enough that someone like Tom Arnold is willing to get involved, but unique enough in its execution that our entire cast and crew felt like they were making something special.
be me: What's your next project?
Daniel: Brad and I are hoping to produce a family movie next.
be me: What is your primary goal for PALO ALTO?
Daniel: I am hoping that PALO ALTO connects with its audience in a real and unique way. I truly believe it has the potential to define our generation like American Graffiti and The Breakfast Club did for others.
***To learn more about PALO ALTO, visit www.paloaltothemovie.com.
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