1) Can you talk briefly about your background, and how you first got interested in filmmaking?

I grew up in Youngstown, Ohio, and was initially interested in audio and video technology. I bought a DVD player fairly early on, and started watching more movies. When I took a photography class in high school and started looking through a lens myself, that's when it all clicked. After high school I studied Motion Picture Production at Wright State in Dayton Ohio, before moving to NYC, where my day job is editing. Fun fact, I studied under Steven Bognar and Julia Reichert at WSU, who won an Oscar this year for American Factory!

2) What’s the backstory here - what was the initial idea and how did it evolve from there?

I've lived in Bushwick since I moved to NYC over 10 years ago. I've seen it change and gentrify and it got me questioning my role in that. And also the sustainability of development. Not just here, but in any city or neighborhood. I was initially interested in making a purely visual film, something akin to Koyaanisqatsi. Neighborhood still retains some of these ideas, but it became clear while filming that we needed a handful of characters as well.

3) What was the biggest challenge in making this film? And generally what part of the creative process do you enjoy the most, and the least?

It was a big challenge finding the right characters. Three people who were not only willing to spend some time with us, but whose stories built upon each other in a meaningful way. I really enjoyed getting to know Pucho, Lindsay, and Gabino, as well as finding the right balance of everything in the edit. My least favorite thing was wrangling schedules. But a must for small indie films :-).

4) What’s a film you’ve seen recently, new or old, that you really loved and why?

I watched Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives the other day. It is a strange, hypnotic, and lovely film! I've never seen anything quite like it.

5) What’s next for you?

I'm writing a few feature length scripts, one of which ties to two previous shorts I've made. Also, the huge residential complex that is under construction in Neighborhood, it's finished now. I'm really interested in exploring it, and it's residents. I'm figuring out how to best do that.

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