Marina Bruno was born on April 14, 1995. Mostly known for her short film work, including Short Circuit (2013), Civil War (2012), Chocolate Milkshake (2014) & Waste of a Fall (2014), Marina started her career at a young age. When she was 3, she made her first movie “Dinosaur” using her toys and a camcorder. In the fall of 2005, Marina played a supporting role in her father, Carlo Bruno’s 2-hour feature film In April (2014). The young filmmaker made her first official short film in the summer of 2011, some of which was filmed in Los Angeles, California. She founded her production company “Wondering Pictures” and in the next years wrote, directed, produced and edited several new works. She recently finished writing, directing and producing her first feature film “Cotton String“, which premieres December 2015 and will be available on YouTube for Rent or to Buy. It will be a worldwide release.
The official trailer of “Cotton String!” – MY 1ST FEATURE FILM ★ #IndieFilm #Filmmaking #SupportIndieFilm #Film https://t.co/Nu4mgvAT57
— Marina Bruno (@MarinaBruno) November 4, 2015
How would you describe your work as a director
I’m an independent filmmaker, using what I have to tel the stories I want to tell!
How did you get into directing
My father is a filmmaker from Argentina, so I’ve learnt (and am still learning) everything I know about filmmaking from him. I’ve been emerged in this art form literally my entire life!
How do you choose a project to direct
I consider the resources I have. Usually before even writing a script, I will look for a location or context, and with that create a story or situation in that place!
Briefly describe in a few words wrong impressions actors, writers,and directors have about directing
I guess female filmmakers can have a different perspective on life since we are different from men! Ahaha
Do you take courses to increase you craft
Nope! My father is pretty much my film school.
What books do you read
My favourite book for screenplay writing is by Syd Field called “The Foundations of Screenwriting”. Another book I heard was great is “The War of Art” which I’ll have to read!
What do you look for when you choose an actor
For the actors, I look for talented individuals who show me they can portray and perform the character!
Briefly explain your latest work
I do my own projects!
What thing/situation helps you during production
I just completed my first feature film, which is a 64-minute-long film about two middle-aged men who decide to invest in a hippie’s electric classic-car invention.
Explain key challenges on you latest project
I wrote the script in the months of April-May of 2014. After the story was finalized, I did the storyboard, which took me another 2 months. After that I started pre-production in June-July. I went through the script, and made a list of all the props, costumes, locations and actors I needed. I then went out to search for each element one by one! I did auditions for each of the actors. Several local actors sent me an audition tape, and I picked the ones that suited the characters most.
After the cast was created, I took their clothing measurements and went out to buy the costumes for each character (which I had already designed beforehand). Once that was completed, I set out to find, buy and make all the props. Amongst other things, I had to make fake marijuana, a fake head, a foam baseball bat, dozens of handmade bracelets, fake bank checks, a cigarette box and beer bottle labels. It took me a long time and it was hard work, but the trick is to pay close attention to every little detail, and to take your time with each.
After that, I then got all my equipment and hired the crew. Then we rented a truck to bring everything to and fro set. I then meet with all the cast and crew and planned out a clear and organized calendar with the shooting days, day-by-day. It needed to fit in everyone’s schedule so it was hard to have the specific actors on specific days. It was tricky, but we managed to find a schedule that worked out! After that we finally started filming in August. It took us a total of 2 consecutive weeks to shoot.
We had crazy days! One time, after all the cast and crew got to set, we all got the gear ready, all the actors in costume, but it was raining! We sat in the raining for a good 3 hours waiting for the sky to clear up, but no luck. We decided to wrap it up and push this filming day for the next. We spent another hour wrapping up all the costumes and equipment. But get this, on our drive home, the sky opened up and the sun was shining brighter than ever! What a waste of a day!
What thing or situation helps you during production
Being organized and diligent!!
Explain one creative choice you took on set of a recent production
For “Cotton String”, the story explores the tragedy of being mislead in life, dealing with topics of morality and state of mind. I created characters that are specifically imperfect and faulty; characters that their misfortunate positions will be relatable to the audience. I want this film to be a different point of view on life; a point of view that makes fun of our inevitable tragedies, while also admitting our deliberate, idealistic ignorance.
The concept of the film is to basically show the ways in which different types of people react to disappointments. The artistic concept is essentially laughing about the human’s tendency to feel misery. There are no successful heroes in this film, and because of that I wish to tell a story that’s never been told before. All in all, the underlying idea is to follow several different stories that all unintentionally interfere with one another.
How do you advise female filmmakers to find projects
To ANY director, just work hard and be true to the art! Don’t compromise, and don’t be scared of risks!
How can filmmakers finance projects
Government funds, crowd funding and or just from your own pocket!
What do you want from an actor in production
Dedication and passion.
What do you think a female director can do to get into the film industry
The same as any director: work your ass off!!
Who is your favorite director
Tarantino, Alejandro González Iñárritu, and Stanley Kubrick
Why this director
Cause their films are daring, intense, honest, explosive, controversial and uniquely creative!
What advice would you give to female directors around the world
Work hard.
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