Question: Greg, what made you decide you wanted to do a project of this size?
Greg: Pretty obviously a complete lack of thinking it through!
Q: I take it it’s been bigger than you expected?
G: It’s been an amazing experience. I had a real idea when we started of what I thought it would be when it was done. That vision has changed so much now. From the first day of casting this thing has taken on a whole new life of its own. All the talent, crew and support staff are just awesome. Ideas have been coming from literally everywhere. It’s going to be SO much better a movie than I first pictured…because of all the creative people that are a part of it.
Q: You hear a lot about financing for independent films. Where did the money come from to make this one?
G: Some idiot! No, seriously, Laura and I put up the budget for the actual production. Once it’s done, we may offer investors a piece of it if they feel that putting resources behind getting it distributed is worth while. After the local premier, we’ll submit to film festivals and see what happens.
Q: This is a very musically driven movie. Originally, you were planning on using songs that you wrote to be the background of the story. What’s changed now?
G: Toby Brady and Laurey Carolous. When these two talented musicians auditioned for parts in the film (which both of them got) they also auditioned some amazing original songs. When Laura and I got together with them and started going through everything we had, we found that Toby’s songs lent themselves to the story and atmosphere really well. Laurey wrote one of the key songs that the story turns on and she is the singing voice of the female lead, Suzanne Hughes. Toby provides the singing talents of more than one character, but I won’t give that away now.
Q: Are you still performing original songs in the film?
G: Yes. I’m doing the singing voice of “Roger” the lead singer for the fictional band “Shadow”, and there are some of my original songs in the soundtrack…some that I performed and some that Toby sings. I was also privileged to sing a couple of Toby’s songs.
Q: You make only a cameo appearance in the film. Do you still enjoy acting?
G: Oh, yeah. But this story is about young people in their search for happiness and fulfillment. I’m well north of 40 and my receding hairline and bald spot on the top of my head have joined forces lately. I didn’t really fit into any of the twenty-something roles!
Q: Is this a “message film” or is it intended strictly for entertainment?
G: I always hope to entertain an audience with any performance...that’s why they come see it. Whether I intended to put across a message, I think mainly I wanted to make people think…about the way the world is…about the way it should be…and maybe about the way each of us could make it if we want to.
Q: What were some of the joys of this experience?
G: The people. Talented, dedicated actors like Bryan & Toby, Suzanne, Lori, Luanda, , Laurey…they all surprised and impressed me every day on set. I was also delighted by the performances turned in by both of my sons, Chris (24) and Holden (13). With practically no experience in front of the camera, they both did amazing work…and were quite dedicated to the project. Working with Barney as the DP and his wife Pat as the designer was, as always, a delight as well as a learning experience. Also the crew we had from the make-up talents of Sunday, Kurimi and Jen all the way through to the skills of our production team of Ellie and Keari. Everybody was there to pitch in…hold a mic, raise a bounce card, pull cables, sign up extras…there’s just been such amazing dedication from everybody since day one. Of course and as always, Laura was my anchor. Her eye for detail and her creative life force were evident in every scene. I’m grateful to get to put my name on a project that so many loving human beings have touched!
Q: Is “Entertain The Moon” a true story?
G: No. It’s fiction. However, many of the characters in it are based on people in my life, past and present. Some are a mix of several people.
Q: Will you do it again…make if feature film?
G: Only if I completely lose my mind between now and the time that this one is done…which is not only possible, but likely! Seriously…if the right project came along, with the right resources behind it, I’d love to make more films. But one thing is for sure, after this one is over my wife and I are going to take some time off. It really takes it out of you both physically and emotionally. We’d like to spend some FUN time with Barney and Pat and their daughter, do some traveling to the film festivals, and then I want to do some more music. This project has really re-connected me with writing and recording again…and I love that part of it in a really special way. My roots have always been a bar stool on a stage with an acoustic guitar and one mic. I miss that. But this…has been one helluva ride!
