Today we’d like to introduce you to Peter Pardini.
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
I’ve always been naive enough to think that my next project is going to be “the one” that breaks me. It kinda sounds like a flaw, but I think it’s actually been the thing that’s kept me going. I’m from Fresno and have been making movies since I was little, but each time I make a new one, I’m always so excited for the possibilities that two things happen: I realize the movie isn’t as good as it can be, and then I get better. The first movie I made was a mobster movie I did with my friends in high school. In 2004, we premiered it at a local performing arts center, and I’ve never heard silence so deafening. Looking back on it, it’s really funny. But compare that to premiering my documentary about the band Chicago, “Now More Than Ever: The History of Chicago” in 2017, which received a standing ovation at the end, it really put things in perspective. I watch that movie now and see everything I could have done differently, but I think that will probably happen forever. When you hear that Martin Scorsese was nitpicking “Goodfellas” at its New York premiere, it almost inspires you to cut your own movies to shreds in the search to get better “next time.”
Please tell us about your art.
I’m a filmmaker. I have written and directed all of my projects, but have also edited all of them. In terms of just getting something made, I’ve found that I’ve had to kind of do everything because of one of the truths of “making it” is that no one else is going to “make it” for you. I’ve been fortunate enough to work with the same cinematographer, John Honoré since 2007. John and I have shot several shorts and features, and most of the time, it’s been a crew of less than 5 (even on the Chicago documentary), and it’s really taught me how to do almost everything on set.
I don’t really know what the inspiration is beyond that I love movies, and I love the idea of thinking of something and then somehow convincing a bunch of people to make it with you. I hope that people who watch the movies I make, see it how I do. I’ve had to learn to make the movie I want to see and not worry too much about if someone won’t get something, tonally. One of my favorite filmmakers is David Lynch, and I love how he never answers a question about what something “means.” I’m a little more open than he is, but I do think there’s credence to just letting the audience think what it wants.
I went to a Q&A once at the Arclight, and the guest speaker told everyone in the audience they were wrong about their interpretations of the film, and I leaned over to my fiance and asked her to punch me if I ever do that.
I always try to make movies that, like I said, are something I’d like to see. I love directors of all stripes and am influenced by all of them in different ways. My pie in the sky dream is to make something both Coen Brother and Spielberg fans would love the same.
Do you have any advice for other artists? Any lessons you wished you learned earlier?
I don’t think the role has changed at all. I think the attention given to artists is more up for grabs because there’s just so much out there. I think the role will always be to create what’s in your heart or your brain or both — basically, whatever gets you going, you should do. There are always projects you do that may not be your “passion project” on first glance, but I believe you can take almost any job, whether it’s for hire or one you spearhead, and make it your own while still serving the audience. Working with the group Chicago, I’ve learned that first and foremost, there IS an audience. Within that world, there’s an infinite number of choices you can make, but the audience will tell you what’s working. I’m not saying you should change your style or “cater” to the audience, but the greatest challenge in art is to be able to make something you love and that many other people respond to in an emotional, guttural way. And that goes for low brow comedy as well as high brow drama.
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
Now More Than Ever: The History of Chicago is available on Netflix, and a feature film I made called Black Cat is on iTunes. A new documentary called FAT: A Documentary will be coming out this summer, and a narrative feature called Rolling Thunder will hopefully be out sometime later this year or early next year.
My website is peterpardini.com and my instagram handle is @peterpardini
Contact Info:
- Website: www.peterpardini.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/peterpardini/
Image Credit:
Headshot by Michael Paletta
Stills owned by Wesley Curtis Productions, Chicago Records II
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