Exploring Life & Business with Amir Faress of Seance Productions, LLC

Today we’d like to introduce you to Amir Faress.

Hi Amir, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today? How did the idea for Ghost Light come about?
Out of nowhere really! II was working full-time as a court interpreter and doing some political writing on the side. I was always a movie fan, but I had no intention to actually make a movie anytime soon, certainly not a feature-length film with over a hundred actors, medieval costumes, visual effects, etc. I couldn’t believe what I got myself into. It was supposed to be a cute little weekend project, but it took on a life of its own.

How did the story emerge?
The idea of gaslighting always appealed to me. The plot itself was probably inspired by all the crazy stories I’d seen in courts. The idea of “performance” as a theme emerged in the later drafts of the script and clinched it all: A high-stake legal battle over a playhouse, and everyone is acting.

How did you begin?
Well I figured you need a script, so I put a little something together and started showing it around. Readers seemed to take to the story, especially the blurring of the lines between “performance” and “real life.” They also got a kick out of the supernatural overtones and the all-female ensemble cast. The more professional readers often ended their notes by saying, “You’re not really going to turn this into a film, are you?” “Why not?” I’d ask. “Well it’s a little ambitious for a first film. It has a lot of moving parts.”

Were they proven right?
They weren’t wrong. It certainly proved challenging, and there were some major stumbles at the beginning. But it’s ultimately not about experience. It comes down to having a loyal professional team who can help you translate the words on the page into images on the screen. I got super-lucky with our cinematographer, Leon Melas, who was basically me on cocaine! He made it a point to go over every shot a thousand times before the shoot and didn’t throw a fit if I changed the entire blocking on the set when the cameras were up.

How did you find your cast?
The cast was a God-sent. The principal cast came primarily through our two producers, Todd Felderstein and Kourosh Ahari, both directors in their own right. Our lead, Lisa Blake Richards, a veteran Broadway actress, simply killed it. They were all phenomenal. I didn’t deserve this cast.

What’s next?
Ghost Light is being distributed by One Tree Entertainment, and it’s slated for release in late September. I can’t wait. I’m so grateful to the extraordinary cast and crew who made it possible.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
What challenges did you face?
I had no background in professional filmmaking. I didn’t go to film school. I had no set experience. The only thing I had going for me was my familiarity with the great American classics of the 1940s and 50s. I’ve been accused of being clueless about modern films. And it’s a fair accusation I’d say. But being clueless does have its benefits. For one thing, I can’t be accused of going with a trend or copying anyone (except my favorite filmmakers, who’re mostly dead.) This gives Ghost Light an air of originality, or so I hope!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.ghostlight.online
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amirfaress1/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amir.faress.7
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amir-faress-68214a1b/
• Twitter: https://x.com/AmirFaress1
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@AmirFaress
• Other: https://www.amirfaress.com