Today we’d like to introduce you to Chris Aresco.
Hi Chris, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself. How did you get your start?
I think it is a little difficult to talk about how you got your start and where you are today when they sort of blend together. I think, in a way, I am just now “getting my start”. I wanted to be a filmmaker my entire life and after countless shorts and spec scripts, I was finally able to fund my debut feature, Backwards Faces. Now, about a year and half later, I’m proud to say Backwards Faces will be released on Amazon Prime, Google Play, and Apple TV on April 11th.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I don’t think anyone’s road as an independent filmmaker is entirely bereft of struggle. It is an inherently difficult medium to get into because unlike other art forms, it is very costly. We were able to shoot our film on an incredibly low budget by feature film standards. Sometimes, when trying to make something like this, you really have to take stock of what you have at your disposal. I had some great actors and an apartment so that is the essence of the film. Great actors giving great performances in a confined space. I always loved dialogue-heavy films so I always knew that would be an easy way into making a low-budget first feature. Since the completion of the film, we’ve gotten some great feedback and had a really terrific screening at the Other Worlds Film Festival in December. I am very excited, after a year and a half, for the world to finally see our film.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do? What are you most proud of? What are you known for?
I think what I am most proud of is having gotten to the finish line on what has been an incredibly arduous process. I think, if you are like me, you look at the idea of making a feature film as an intensely creative and exciting process; which it certainly is. What you maybe don’t think about is all the other, less glamorous, hoops you need to jump through. The insurance, permissions, chain of title, delivery formats, and paperwork is never the stuff you hear about on a film podcast but they are just as important as dialogue, framing, blocking, and performances. As this is my first film, I’m not quite sure I’m “known” for anything at the moment, but I would hope to one day be known as a writer/director who makes funny, interesting films with great dialogue that challenges an audience while also being a lot of fun.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.backwardsfacesfilm.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrisaresco/
