Zoran Dragelj, Executive Produced “Friends Like These” in Canadian Style

Hello, my name is Zoran Dragelj and I directed and executive produced “Friends Like These”, a feature-length dramedy (drama/comedy) filmed on location on Bowen Island and Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. It was co-written by Josh Romyn and David Q. Laurence and starring Jill Zavazal, Kiran Madahar, Josh Romyn, and Matreya Scarrwener. The indie feature was lensed by talented Bryn McCashin and edited by an award-winning Fred Thorsen. Friends Like These are also fortunate to feature some amazing Canadian, original independent music from Harlequin Gold, Jenny Banai, Daev, and The Little Coyote.

What is your experience working on the story, the screenplay, the production, premiere, and marketing?
Zoran Dragelj (ZD): The project started as a collaboration/mentorship with a young Vancouver based writer, Josh Romyn. Josh had an ideal concept for a feature film project, so I encouraged Josh to write the script but to keep a few things in mind, the size of the cast, and the number of locations. Josh also invited his Dublin based writing partner, David Q. Laurence on board to help him out since they both collaborated on a few previous web projects. Remotely they worked on the script for little over two months. Soon after we had a full feature shooting script ready for production.

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How did you put the crew and cast together? Did you start writing with a known cast?
Zoran Dragelj (ZD): It was an interesting set of events. Pretty much one thing lead to another. Once, Dave and Josh, had the screenplay done, we started the pre-production stage. While writing the script both Dave and Josh kept few local Vancouver based actors in mind, including Josh writing the male lead with him in mind. Ann Forry, a local casting agent (Ann Forry Casting) offered to help us with her casting list and the use of her office. Matreya Scarrwener also helped us with the casting call and auditions we organized. Ann also just finished three short films and worked with an amazingly talented DoP Bryn McCashin and Sound Recordist Willy Irawan. Getting them to come onboard our production was a no brainer. We all wanted to work together. Soon after David Q. Laurence flew in from Ireland and joined our crew.

What and how long did it take to complete the script?
ZD: Josh Romyn and David Q. Laurence (who is Dublin, Ireland based) worked remotely on the script for a little over two months. Both David and Josh went through a few drafts until they felt good with the final draft. Once that was done we were ready for production.

When did you form your production company – and what was the original motivation for its formation?
ZD: Blitzcinema Entertainment was originally formed back in the late ’90s and through the years had moderate yet stable success. Blitzcinema develops, produces, distributes and markets features and short films, television shows, music videos, virals, and web mini-series.

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What was the first project out of the gate?
ZD: Friends Like These is Blitzcinema Entertainment’s first feature film production. It felt that we should transition into feature film production. Over the years, Blitzcinema produced several award winning productions including short film, music and viral videos.

During the film production, what scene (that made the cut) was the hardest to shoot? And why?
ZD: Both the cast and crew will agree that the threesome scene was the one everyone talked about. It was highly anticipated, like an elephant in the room. We decided to shoot it on our second day of filming on Bowen Island. Everything went smoothly and as planned. We were happy with an outcome which shows in the film.

What worked better in this latest production that mightn’t have worked so well in the last one you did?
ZD: We scheduled the whole production for 8 to 9 days, and we filmed the whole 76-page feature film on location in 6 days. We shot 13 pages on an average a day during 12 to14-hour production days. The key here was willing to listen to our amazing crew and cast, seeing what works for everyone and what doesn’t and how we can work around it. We found our groove and it worked out perfectly.

You must have donned several hats on this film, the measure of your input required intellect, effort, tenacity, skill (you know better). What did it take you to put out all these qualities to get the film done?
ZD: As an indie filmmaker I’m constantly finding “challenge and solution” as an integral part of any production I partake in. You are basically on your feet most of the time, MacGyver style looking to resolve any sort of issue that may arise. No matter if it is in the studio or on location, you always gotta be prepared to some extent. As you can’t foresee what may go awry, so you gotta be ready for pretty much everything. At times there are no set rules on how you can resolve a challenge. The challenge to indie filmmaking can be anything from funding, securing locations, or talent to post-production and distribution.

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What do you still struggle with?
ZD: Financing and funding are at times the biggest struggle for any production and yet to be determined in the post-COVID-19 world. So far, prior to COVID-19, yes there were ups and downs. Potential or pending funding/financing that at times that would come or wouldn’t come thru. I personally feel it will come down to certain projects itself.

Where do you think your strengths lie as a producer?
ZD: My producer’s strength lie in trying to see the whole picture. Checking everything carefully and taking into the consideration all possible costs while wanting to see nothing changing the script. Also being realistic and accountable and having a network of people that I can count on.

Let’s talk about finance. How did you finance the film?
ZD: With all the recent projects successes, I felt it was time to make a jump into something more challenging. It was just a matter of time and when an opportunity presented itself. I closely evaluated a few projects and the risks I was willing to take for each and every project. Now that everything is done it is time to start recouping an investment.

How much did you go over the budget? How did you manage it?
ZD: As an executive producer of Friends Like These, I was aware of our budget limitations. It was addressed in an early stage as the script was drafted. In order for Josh to get something under his belt early in his writing career, I suggested to him that he needs to consider a script with few actors and at least one location. Also during the production of Friends Like These, we had the challenge of securing a location on Bowen Island. Through some careful searching and talking with few colleagues, we were able to secure an amazing location that perfectly fitted the aesthetics needs of the script. Also, we were offered to book our location through an online location booking site (an owner’s suggestion since she liked the project and was willing to help out). Just that in return saved us on location insurance.

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How important is marketing? Do you think a project can make a dent without it nowadays?
ZD: Any type of marketing or project promotion is extremely important for your project’s success. You only realize that after you are done with the production and heading into the post-production stage cause you are also starting to think about your project’s release. When and where do you want to release or premiere your project? It’s all in the timing and needs to be taken into consideration. So plan it wisely as early as you can.

Tell us about marketing activities or efforts on this project – and how it worked or didn’t work?
ZD: Do think of social media sites as a key to your film’s success as you can share your film’s info (like crew and cast profiles, behind the scene photos and footage, interviews, trailers and teasers, short clips and film stills). Make sure that you have a stills photographer on your set while filming to capture as many action and behind the scenes shots. They are much needed in post-production (for your poster, EPK, and website). We applied all of this to Friends Like These productions. If you can’t afford a PR or marketing company, then seek your friend’s help who can write you a proper press release and an EPK.

What do you hope audiences get from the presentation of your film?
ZD: That they will enjoy the film.

What else have you got in the works?
ZD: At the moment, with my assistant director collaborator, Diego Torres, I am completing a documentary, Beto Mi Amigo, about an eccentric, self-taught artist in Costa Rica where the documentary was filmed. Also producing two projects (“Karma”, a web series and a feature film, “Beyond the Veil”) for my LA based writer/director friend of many years, Victoria Larimore. And starting a WWII docudrama story with my good filmmaker colleague Hossein Martin Fazeli. There is an original Eastern European vampire story in development but that is in an early stage right now.

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