Ever send a text to the wrong person? Talk about “uh oh”. After you hit send, it’s in “can’t un-do” land. Anything can happen.
When Brian’s friend Nick receives a sexy video from the girl he’s had his eye on (and her friends), he takes it as the green light of a lifetime. Brian’s dream girl is there as well, and Nick drags him along into an adventure to find the girls and finally “make it happen.”
Fernando Borrego (Brian), Aaron Latta-Morissette (Nick), Domenico Del Giacco (Victor)
“There’s Always One” is the latest film produced by local filmmakers George Massimillo and Michael La Gattuta. It is a classic 80’s style comedy, and will have its first screening at the Bellmore Theater this Thursday, August 16 at 7:30PM.
This is a passion project for writer/director Massimillo who, by his own words, is a fan of “all things 80’s.” He couldn’t believe the younger folks he works with hadn’t seen “Porky’s” “Revenge Of The Nerds” or “Fast Times At Ridgemont High”. “I used it as motivation,” he says. “I decided to make a version for their generation.”
This is the second feature the two have worked on together. The challenges for indie filmmakers today are similar, but some have changed.
When you’re Martin Scorsese, you can walk into Williston Park with Robert DiNiro, rent out half a block for a week that includes the historic Hildebrand’s on Hillside Ave, and get on with your project (“The Irishman”, set for release in 2019.)
When you make a film on your own, everything you do to get it done is in bounds, and Michael and George are adept at pulling out all the stops. Favors are cashed in, favorite hangouts become sets, neighbors become extras. Locations are scouted out door to door, with the knowledge that you are going to get plenty of “no’s”, but all you need is one “yes.” For the restaurant scenes, they set up filming at Porto Fino in Huntington.
Michelle Morocco (Liz)
Me: “How did you get a location like that? Are they closed one day a week?”
George: “Nope. We did the whole thing in one night, overnight.”
Hustle, baby.
This time around, faced with the choice of renting equipment again or purchasing, they chose the latter. “For the choice of spending a few dollars more, we were able to become our own production company,” says La Gattuta, who was also in charge of cinematography for the film.
With over thirty cast members and crew contributing, and countless hours editing, it is enough of an accomplishment to have a finished product. Getting it out to the public is the point, of course, and all options are on the table. Submissions to festivals have already been undertaken.
But we don’t care to wait, do we? No, we don’t. Out here in streaming land, we are always hungry. And, yes, a bit spoiled.
Me: “What about Amazon?”
Michael: “It’s a joke. It’s Spotify money.”
The analogy is unforgiving. Users of the streaming music service are accustomed to its convenience, though they are frequently shocked when they find out the extent to which the artists are (not) compensated. Peter Frampton: For 55 million streams of, ‘Baby I Love Your Way’, I got $1,700.
As for Amazon, they are known to pay out to “name” artists to create original content, but they are still regarded by many as a discount house to create value for their shareholders. It can be a tough place to make money.
While the team searches for their best options, we’ll have to be patient for widespread distribution of “There’s Always One.” But there is good news: you can see it this week.
Fernando Borrego (Brian), Aaron Latta-Morissette (Nick)
Thursday’s screening is invite only for friends and family, but a limited amount of seats are being made available to CENE Magazine readers. Comment below, or contact us through social media if you are interested. They are first come, first served.
There’s Always One (Exclusive Screening)
Thursday, August 16 at 7:30PM
The Bellmore Movies
222 Pettit Ave
Bellmore, NY 11710
