We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Steve Moon a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Steve, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?
I’ve always been a writer. I wrote a book for my school in the first grade, and I pretty much have been writing since then. In college, I majored in Art with and emphasis on Graphic Design. I was always a better writer than designer, so I continued to focus on my writing. I would write scripts and send them to agents trying to find representation. One thing led to another and I began producing and directing independent films. Over time I made lots of contacts in the industry, and have brought many films to my state and have continued to work on my own movies.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I started out as a writer/director of indie films 26 years ago. I literally picked up a camera and worked with local talent who wanted to make movies. I learned that people in the industry want to see what you can do as far as putting everything together, if that makes sense. They want to see that you can produce as well as direct, and understand all that goes into making a movie. It’s also a very small industry, everyone knows everyone. As long as you work hard and are honest and do your job, there’s longevity.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
The film industry is no different that any other industry for the most part. It’s a job. Do your job to the best you can, again, just like any other job. Oh, the stories I could tell you. There are so many. Resilience? Is that the right word? Let’s see, Resilience. I would have to say one story would be my movie Diamond starring Ginger Cressman. To share that story I need to go back a little. Inevitably there are always a couple of people on the producing side of the industry that like to put people down. They come to your state like they are all that, and they criticize locals. You can’t get away from it. On most film sets, to make your day (meaning get all your scenes done that are on the call sheet) you typically film anywhere from 7-9 pages, maybe up to 11 pages depending on the locations. Anyway, I get tired of one certain UPM (Unit Production Manager) putting us down, so I take my crew and say “We’re going to film Diamond in one day,” and I let Ginger know. Now she will tell you I told her the week before filming that we were going to do that and she accepted, but my version of the story is I gave her much more notice than that. She was right. I was not. However, we produced that movie in one 12 and half hour day, and she did phenomenal, and has won Best Actress awards for her performance, and my team and other cast did a great job as well. Everyone was dedicated to making this film great. So is that resilience? Perhaps. You take a beating in this industry. Then you get back up and do it again on another set.
How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?
Watch indie films. There are many networks and outlets to show your film. It’s a matter of getting people to watch them and support the industry. Filmhub is a great place for independent filmmakers to get their movies out there. Please watch Our Final Hour on Tubi TV. This is a Christian movie that does not preach to the choir. It’s about Christians being arrested in the US for their faith. Ginger Cressman stars in that. We also have Like Gloves for the Cold, starring Ginger Cressman as a terminally ill from cancer lady who chooses to spend her remaining days on earth traveling the country and giving her testimony to those she meets along the way. A unique thing about this movie is that producers/actors, cinematographers, from all 50 states participated in making this movie. Ginger did a powerful performance in that movie. Diamond can be seen on Reveel TV, as well as Across the Sky, a beautiful movie about loss, family, questioning why things happen, and restoration. So please watch these movies and share them and continue to support independent filmmakers. We rely on you. Thanks.
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