Cindy Mich is a published author/freelance journalist who wears many hats. She is the founder of the NYC based film festival “Art is Alive” and a filmmaker. Cindy is a publicist, public and private sector teacher, and a model. She is also the founder of the Indie Television Network, CIN TV due to launch in 2019.
Q: How would you describe your work as a director?
Cindy Mich: Innovative and inspirational. I am a big believer in stretching and strengthening the talents of the actor both on and off the set. I believe that the best stories come from a crew that is full of motivation and a positive mindset. I also prefer improv to the traditional acting methods. 2018 marked my first attempt at actual directing, and from the feedback gathered from my group, it sounds as if my methods, although unconventional, are actually making for a great movie.
Q: How did you get into directing?
Cindy Mich: I had the good fortune of meeting a number of independent film directors through my radio show, Cin’s Chat Corner. I would slowly but surely start getting invited to do red carpet interviews and Q & A panels at film festivals, and eventually I became integrated into this industry. After much encouragement and enthusiasm from fellow filmmakers, I made the decision to take my ideas on paper and transform them into film projects.
Q: How do you choose a project to direct?
Cindy Mich: Honestly, filmmaking is much more work than most can imagine, and especially if you are doing the majority of the project as a solo endeavor. I am not just the director, but also the writer, producer, casting agent, as well as line producer, and so on. It is countless hours of commitment. So, I would choose to direct a project if it is moving to me personally, if the writing is strong and stands out, and only if I acted in the capacity as director alone versus multiple roles.
Q: What uniqueness can female directors bring to Film or TV or Cinema?
Cindy Mich: Female directors tend to be more capable of multi-tasking. We can do three things at once, and on a set, that is significant. We are also a minority in the motion picture business, and our methods and mannerisms differ from males. Change can be both healthy and helpful to a field of independents that are still finding their way.
Q: Do you often take courses to increase your craft?
Cindy Mich: Honestly, because I am more of a beginner, there has not been a need to take any courses. I find that the best way to improve on any skill is often times life experience versus learning in the classroom. That is not to say that this method replaces modern education, but hands on puts you right there as an observer of one’s own passion.
Q: What books do you read?
Cindy Mich: I wish that I could say that I read weekly, daily, or even monthly. When one is involved in the entertainment industry, it makes for both a busy and bountiful career. Hence, I hardly have time to sleep, let alone snuggle up with a good book. The last book that I did read was actually the work of an indie author, and the title was “A Time to Remember” by Vincent Gallagher.
Q: What do you look for in an actor?
Cindy Mich: My auditioning technique is truly abstract. I do not require a head-shot nor a bio. I spend a great deal of time talking to them about non-acting areas of their life. I find that learning about the person first helps to determine what the professional can provide to me. Of course, if they are actual working actors, I watch reels, former film projects, and sometimes speak to fellow directors. However, the actors that I tend to choose are often off the wall in terms of personality and presentation. They are not afraid to take risks, and are somewhat flexible as to schedule. They themselves also are anxious to create films that create a message.
Q: When you are offered a project, what things do you put in place to do a good job?
Cindy Mich: I have yet to be offered a project to direct outside of my own personal endeavors, so I cannot address this subject.
Q: Briefly explain you latest work?
Cindy Mich: A Hundred Looks of Love is in essence a total of 100 looks of love displayed through six film genres: animation, comedy, drama, silent, black and white/film noir and horror. To take it one step further, I am using tips and tricks from six of the greats: Charlie Chaplin, Steven Spielberg, Penny Marshall, Francis Ford Coppola, Frank Capra, and Alfred Hitchcock.
The film is all about the emotion we show towards people, places, pets and personal tokens. Love is shown as more than any one expression or emotion. Love is everywhere, in everyone and in everything. Live is LOVE. We are filming in both Wisconsin and New York City, and our hope is to premiere in NYC on March 20th, which is National Proposal Day.
We also have active interest from a major airline, cruise line and will be doing a total of a hundred screenings between the East Coast and the Midwest within the calendar year of 2019. I will also be streaming it on multiple online platforms.
Q: Explain key challenges on you last film?
Cindy Mich: Budget is always a concern for every filmmaker. There is never enough money to make the perfect project, so one must remember to be realistic about expectation versus eventual end game. For my particular project, the biggest issues revolved around casting and concrete filming schedules. It is difficult to find actors who are completely comfortable with doing a whole film that covers a number of genres will being all improvisational. Many concerns and some complaints. Secondly, whenever you are dealing with a mixture of actors, I.e. some are SAG, others are non-union, and some with no experience, they all have schedules that do not align. Full time actors are always auditioning, on set, doing re-shoots or call backs. Non-actors have children, spouses, day jobs, etc. to work around as far as filming. Coordination of a total of thirty-nine people is purely crazy!
Q: What thing/situation helps you during a production?
Cindy Mich: First, I actually have a Wonder Woman doll that is with us during the cast meetings and also on one of the cameras on set. I am often referred to as said surname due to my supposed skill for successfully managing my businesses. She serves as a reminder that I can create remarkable work. Secondly, my cast and crew always must bring multiple scene ideas and several wardrobe changes to set. More ideas mean immeasurable and innovative creativity on screen. More clothing means more color, and I believe that visuals have value.
Q: Explain a creative choice you took on set on a recent production?
Cindy Mich: Well, I do believe that incorporating improv is a creative choice, but I also allowed all of the actors to choose their own location list. They could play out their scenes in any surroundings they chose, as long as I could convince the owner to allow us to film. Instead of boxing them into the backdrop I envision in my mind, I allow them to express themselves in any environment they wish. Sometimes that may be stretch to make the message work, but it does seem to be working for this piece of work so far.
Q: What do you want from an actor during production?
Cindy Mich: All that I require from actors while working is to bring their best. Try to work well with others on the set, and be respectful of the requests of all the crew. Listen to my direction, yet be willing to lend their own suggestions. Being timely and truly patient is also a big necessity.
Q: How do you prefer to work with a producer on a production?
Cindy Mich: In my case, most of the producers are my cast! Hence, I am 100% hands on with them.
Q: What can a female director do to get into the industry?
Cindy Mich: The question really should be, what can any director do to get into the industry? Network and nurture relationships with like minds. Study and spend time on sets, whether you are being paid or purely a spectator. Do read and remember to familiarize yourself with the words and work of long time, beloved directors. There is a reason they engage in their roles – they grew to be great at their skill set. Learn how to take what is in your heart and translate it into a beautiful and brilliant memory for movie goers. Lastly, do not let lack of experience detour your dream. Start small and find a small cast and crew and experiment with making a short film. If you practice enough and use the tips above, you will pave your own path into filmmaking.
Q: Who is your favourite director?
Cindy Mich: Without a doubt, Charlie Chaplin.
Q: Why?
Cindy Mich: Similar to myself, he was great at smiling in front of the public while holding great sorrow in silence. We can hide our horrors. He also furnished great foolery within a film, and what audience does not love to smile or smirk? He also believed in experimenting with different types of shots until one is satisfied with those being done. These are all sound and solid suggestions that result in really wonderful results on screen. Further, who does not love a director who does not detour from silent or screening in black and white? Classic filmmaking never falters.
Q: What advice do you give to female directors?
Cindy Mich: Be patient, but persistent. Be confident and creative. Be YOU, both in front of and behind the camera. Most of all, be true to the story YOU want to tell.
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