The World of Jessica Burnstein...
JESSICA:
My willingness to take risks and make films about human behavior with well
developed characters, flaws and all.
Q: You pictures will be extremely successful. I feel it. I predict
it. So what next?
JESSICA: Thank you. At the moment, I am co-writing a feature film,
of which I plan to direct. I am in the development stages and looking for
funding and stars (so this one will be financially feasible). It is also
dramatic comedy in the same vein as VERONIKA'S BIRTHDAY in that it
explores American Jewish secular culture.
Q: What is success to you?
JESSICA: When I began making this film about three years ago, my
goal was to make a film that communicated a story that viewers could
relate to and understand. Now, that I have accomplished my beginning
goal, I want more, meaning success is making a feature film on a bigger
budget, without compromising my vision as a filmmaker.
Q: Can you handle a big and sudden success?
JESSICA: I would like to think so. Although, some of my favorite
actors and directors couldn't and that's what sometimes made their work so
interesting to me. I have worked really hard and continue to work hard,
so I say bring it on.
Q: Do you see your
pictures as purely ethnic product or, possibly it could reach out to the
general audience?
JESSICA: VB definitely has ethnic aspects, but I feel that a general
audience can also relate. For example, after screenings at festivals, I've
had men and women come up to me and tell me that the grandmother character
reminded them exactly of their mother, sister, or grandmother. One woman
was Irish and another was a southern Baptist from NC.
Q: How did you manage to produce the pictures without backing? I
assume no motion pictures production company financed the film, right? Where
the money came from?
JESSICA: I formed my own production company, Ponytail Productions, to
make VB. Since I was obtaining my MFA from SVA, I fortunate enough to take
out extra student loans and stay an extra year to finish editing the film.
I see this as an investment in my future.
Q: Why you in the pictures?
JESSICA: I feel into it. I never acted before and I was lucky enough
to get a starring role in a classmates' feature length film. I love every
minute of it and I decided to make my own film. At the moment, I can't see
myself doing anything else with my life.
Q: You got awards and wide recognition. What do you want know?
JESSICA: I would like funding so I can make my next film, which I
plan to get theatrical distribution for. Also, I would like to take on some
challenging roles as an actor in other directors' films.
Q: Any advice to struggling directors and actresses?
JESSICA: Go with your gut, especially actors. Seek out director
friends and get involved in acting, whether it is taking classes, local
theater, or student films. Keep acting. For Directors, performance is very
important. The audience needs a certain amount of suspension of disbelief
to get involved in the story of the film. Without a realistic and unique
portrayal of characters, all the amazing shots and special effects in the
world won't matter.