INTERVIEW WITH

Neil Santolaya

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How long have you been doing movies? How did you decide to start making movies?

Like a director, it is my first movie. But like an actor, I believe that I have done around fourteen or fifteen.

And I decided to make my own movie because, you know, this industry it’s very big but at the same time it’s very small, and now, with social media it’s easier to be visible and easier to be forgotten because there is so much information constantly, so it’s harder to get a chance, so I thought, why not?

 

Why did you do this project?

I thought that in Spain, we have a pending account, with tennis because we had and we have wonderful tennis players and all scenes where tennis appears in our cinema is in a comedy atmosphere. Tennis is very serious, and that is the reason. For that reason, and to show a big value such as personal improvement

 

(If you can say). How much budget did you have to do this project?

Around 2500€, between cameraman, editing, music rights, travels, rentings…

 

Was it self-funded or did you get budget/producers/investors?

Totally it was self-funded.

 

How long did it take from the initial idea to being able to release?

Well, I wrote the script 2 years ago. I wrote the feature film, but I didn’t have the budget to produce it, so I created an adaptation into a short film. From the time I decided to do an adaptation until I was able to film, it took two moths.

 

Are you happy with the result?

Yes. Maybe, I would change some things, but you know, you would always makes changes because it is never finished and you need to say, Finished.

 

What phase is this project in right now? Are you in the initial phase of sending it to festivals, middle phase or finishing the circuit?

I am starting to send emails. We finish Match Ball in the middle of January so, I’ve been sending emails ever since.

 

How has your experience been with the festivals so far? Where do you think they should improve?

I have a few resolutions about the festivals I submitted Match Ball to, but in general, they say they accept all types of short films and then you realize the reality is different. They focus on certain themes, and you waste your submission money and your time. But today, we received good news: our film was finalist and I won Best Actor in the 5th ISSFA. 

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Could you tell us which platforms you use to submit your entries to festivals? Apart from filmfreeway, do you use any other alternative platforms?

Mainly, Filmfreeway and Festhome.

 

Normally, filmmakers use many references, favorite directors, favorite movies, etc. Were you inspired by any director or film? If so, tell us your references.

I really like Clint Eastwood. I think he’s an underrated genius because he doesn’t abide by the rules of Hollywood and cinema in general. He was an incredible actor and he is a marvelous director. But there are other actors I look up to, like Brad Pitt, Robert Downey Jr, Al Pacino, Tom Hardy or Spanish actors like Bardem, Luis Zahera o de la Torre.

 

Your favorite movie?

It's hard to say one. But Unforgiven

 

Favorite series?

Antidisturbios, Sons of Anarchy o Peaky Blinders.

 

Do you see yourself making movies in 5 years? Where do you see yourself?

I love to act and I know that I like to direct. But I prefer to focus on acting and then, we will see.

 

Do you have any other project in mind?

I have 3 feature film scripts and 4 short film scripts, but money is king.

 

What do you ask for the future? (cinematographically speaking)

I want to make a living from acting 100% and be able to play different characters.

 

Your best experience in a movie theater?

There are many new releases I remember liking. But I was most impressed by films like Babylon, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, and La Infiltrada