15 Questions & 15 Answers with Ryan Jameson

Posted October 31st, 2014 by Brian in Blog

15 Questions and 15 Answers (in 15 words or less) with Director Ryan Jameson, director of Suburbanite by Brian Hu

1. Give us your best 15-word pitch for SUBURBANITE.
Grice, a twenty four year old Filipino, attempts to recreate his childhood film, “Drug Island”.

2. What inspired you to make a film about young adults in the suburbs?
It’s what I know and where I grew up, people like Grice exist in Valencia.

3. The character in the film made amateur action videos as a kid. Did you?
A little, I never had a video camera, but played with local kids who did.

4. If you had all the money you needed to make a film called Drug Island, what would it be like?
Jean Claude and Steven Seagal would unite and it would be produced by Cannon FIlms.

5. SUBURBANITE satirizes amateur filmmaking, but also shows its underdog spirit. What does amateur filmmaking mean to you?
I love how the gap is being closed. Anyone has the tools to make an incredible film if they put some love into it.

6. Could you share a behind-the-scenes story?
we improvised a whole basketball scene with middle school kids who where watching us shoot.

7. How many hot dogs were consumed in the making of SUBURBANITE?
7-8 maybe? We went through hundreds of granola bars.

8. What inspired you to go into filmmaking?
Being able to tell any story you want any way and working at Hollywood Video.

9. There’s some music performed in SUBURBANITE. What music inspires you?
I love all music. Everything from Black Flag to Wu-Tang to Roy Orbison.

10. Your favorite thing about the suburbs?
Free parking everywhere. Being able to film without permits.

11. Your least favorite thing about the suburbs?
Having to travel 45+ minutes every time you want to see an independent film.

12. Your favorite movie about the suburbs?
“Happiness” – Todd Solondz, “Good Morning” – Ozu , “Life Is Sweet” – Mike Leigh

13. What are you ordering at Jack in the Box at 1am?
A shake? I’m vegetarian, so I probably will be hitting up Del Taco.

14. Your go-to karaoke song?
David Bowie – Heroes, Neil Young – Heart of Gold, and Three 6 Mafia – Stay Fly

15. What do you look forward to most at the San Diego Asian Film Festival?
Checking out all the other great looking films. Meeting film makers and film buffs.

Watch SUBURBANITE and meet Ryan Jameson and cast members at the San Diego Asian Film Festival on Monday, November 10, 8:30pm at the UltraStar Cinemas, Mission Valley. Tickets, trailer, and more info available at this link.