g.LEE Gordon
Executive Producer | Director | Photographer | Editor
YOU HAVE TALENT IN SEVERAL AREAS. IF YOU HAD TO CHOOSE ONE PROFESSION WHICH WOULD IT BE, WRITING, DIRECTING, PRODUCING, ETC.?
“I like to bring projects together. There is a certain satisfaction when you see your visions come to fruition. I can’t explain it. It’s something that has to be experienced. Whatever role that will allow me the most creative freedom to express myself.”
WHO ARE SOME OF YOUR MAIN INFLUENCES?
“Wow, there are so many. I am a perpetual student of the game. If we went back to the beginning it’s almost cliche but, Spielberg and Lucas would probably be the ones who planted the seed in me. When I was a child my father got a copy of Star Wars, this is before VHS I think it was on a 1/2 inch machine. I watched that movie so much that I had it memorized. I think at one point I actually held the record for seeing it the most. Jump forward to current times, there are so many innovative filmmakers. Actually I am a little disappointed in US films. Not the talent of the filmmakers but the politics that shape the movies that are being put out. There’s a cinematic revolution going on in “Bollywood” and “Korea” right now. The movies coming out of there are blowing me away. So beautiful, the stories are so heartfelt, yet for the most part they are so pure and innocent.”
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MOVIE?
There are so many great films out there. But, I would have to say that Gaspar Noe’s, “Enter the Void” has to be the most original film I’ve ever seen. It changed my life. Then there’s, “Tree of Life” by Malick. I like certain films for different reasons. For instance my favorite film for editing would have to be “Man On Fire”, or “Requiem For A Dream”. Both of those movies are so intense due to awesome editing.” Best Dialogue would easily go to Tarantino’s, “Inglourious Basterds”. That is probably the “most perfect” movie of my generation. The most beatiful film I have ever seen would have to be a tie between, “Samsara” and “What Dreams May Come”.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SCENE IN A MOVIE?
“Once again, too general of a question. But definitely within the top of the list would be the scene in Rob Roy where after she had been brutally raped she, Jessica Lange, is washing herself in the water as she is protecting her husband by making sure he never finds out. Wow, what a woman… What a scene. I strive to write scenes that powerful.”
SO THEN YOU TEND TO LEAN TOWARDS WRITING?
“Not at all. I love writing. Only thing with writing is that I’m subjective to someone else’s interpretation of my vision. Sometimes they are a little off (he smiles). With directing it goes straight from my mind, to the page, to the camera, to the audience. I love to watch the audiences reaction to my work. Especially when they get it.”
WHO’S WORK ARE YOU MOST IMPRESSED WITH NOW?
Of course there are the masters of the universe, Tarantino, Kubrick, Cuaron, etc. But I tend to favor a few lesser known directors like Craig Brewer & Shane Carruth. But I would have to say Gaspar Noe, Refn, Malick and Barry Jenkins.
WHAT LIES IN THE FUTURE FOR g.LEE GORDON?
“Right now I am recruiting an army. I’ve put together a great team and I’m just trying to get my company ZSIon Media established. We have created a branch of ZSIon that is called “Project Rising Star”, and the focus of that is to help local artist to get their foot in the door. We are working towards getting our non-profit status, and just trying to give back to the community in the form of the arts. It’s a shame that so many areas get so much attention other than the art’s. To me that aspect of life is equally if not more important than some of the others who are getting grant money and other funding. So far we have run two successful campaigns and have helped a lot of people get experience and learn a craft that they’ve only been dreaming about.”
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE INDIE FILMMAKERS WITH LITTLE TO NO EXPERIENCE?
“That’s an easy one because I see this all the time….TAKE YOUR TIME! I can’t tell you how many projects come my way where I just have to shake my head because they are not ready yet. In this business anything is possible. Is it possible to wake up one morning, write your first script, have it bought for millions and then move to Malibu and live a dream life.YES, it is possible. NO, It’s most likely not going to happen to you. It takes a lot of time and hard work to do things properly. Learn the systems that have been set up. Sure, break the rules! But, know and understand the rules before you try to be a rebel and break them. Can you write a script with no training or experience and get it sold. It’s not likely but it is possible. My suggestion would be to learn and understand the craft, you’ll know when your ready. Everything is done for a reason. If you turn in a script that’s not formatted correctly it’s going to get tossed. If you try to direct a film and don’t understand the process, it’s going to get shelved after a lot of hard work and effort.”
SO ARE YOU SAYING THAT YOU NEED TO GO TO FILM SCHOOL?
“If you have the opportunity to go to film school YES. I would love to be able to go to USC and spend 4-6 years engulfed in bettering my craft. But, unfortunately I can’t…YET(I will be the oldest USC film school graduate, but, I’m still going to do it!). But, to answer your question , no, that’s not what I’m saying at all. All I’m saying is that making a film, a good film is a lot harder than it looks. Take the time and the effort to learn your craft before you take the plunge and get other people to plunge with you.
With the equipment available to us now, you have no more excuses. Get out there and write some bad scripts…Make some terrible movies. But, get some experience before you gamble everything.”