Interview With Phil Dragash: Director of "Midnight Plague" Describes Movie

Drew V: So Phil, how did you get started making this film?

Phil D: Well, the idea emerged out of my subconscious in late 2006, right after July, when Drew Vosburg informed me that he wanted to collaborate on a film. A longer film by my standards... Having had some unfortunate experience with people on the no-budget level, I knew that getting actors, and people to help me would be an overwhelming exercise... because when you work with no money [and do not] hire anyone for the project, no one completely commits themselves to the project, thus making the working process much, much, more grueling than one with a budget.

Back to the topic at hand, since I understood that it was Drew's idea for a film, and not mine, I could be assured that he would be completely focused on getting the project done, and that's what drove me to take on "Middy P." as we call it.

Drew V: How do you feel the film went overall?

Phil D: [Laughs] Well, I'm infamous for over-criticizing my own movies, as many of you know. The main problem obviously is the lack of proper "loot" to make these things with more "quality." So in my opinion, I'd say the movie sucks as a piece of dramatic narrative because of my terrible habit of "not getting serious with the picture," meaning that I know this film isn't going to amount to anything financially, or publicly. [A]nd, let's face it, it's just a movie made with an overused and beat up Canon GL2 camera, myself, Drew, and a few friends. All these issues keep hitting me like the force of a thousand evil mutant chimpanzee lizard-frogs and never get off my back! I kid you not, it really just "blocks" me from doing any kind of extensive and focused work and attention that one normally has to do when making a studio-funded feature. It's like "Whoa! This is so lame! We're pretending to be professional!" And with that in mind, the mutated chimpanzee lizard-frogs prevail and [remind me] that this movie isn't "for real.”

Let me get a bit more optimistic: I do, however, appreciate it that the people (Drew, Keith, Aaron, Lauren, Becky) I've "worked" with on this movie, [who] took time to help out and, as ridiculous or repetitive as my requests were, they'd follow them. That's a wonderful thing! We did come up with some really nice imagery for the crap we had to work with, though! I hope you like it as a dramatic narrative without a logical narrative to follow.

Drew V: What have you learned from your directing experience on midnight plague?

Phil D: Well, I learned that Lauren doesn't like me, Jake is an idiot, Aaron likes to cuddle, Drew can eat a double quarter pounder with cheese in, like, three bites, Keith's phone loves to ring the theme to the (thank goodness that's canceled) OC at the most inappropriate moments, and Chandler should not be allowed chocolate... no matter HOW small a piece.

In the long run, however, I've learned that to make a better movie you need money. MONEY! [Yelling] MOOOONEEEY!! Oh yeah, and dedication. You can't make a decent movie without total dedication and love for what you do. That's right, kids. Dedication is the name of the game... well, the no-budget game anyways. We all know that you're automatically dedicated to a studio-funded film by law via a contract signifying your position in the film. So, that's a pretty different ball-game.

Drew V: Any concluding remarks?

Phil D: Oh yeah! If you've ever had to BUY this movie from any other source besides me, you've been ripped-off, like the cowardly monkey you are! Say NO to counterfeits! NO! NO! NO!

Drew V: Thank you, Phil. It's been a nice chat.

Phil D: You're welcome. This can get pretty insightful, can't it?

Drew V: Not really, no.

Phil D: Oh. Okay. Bye then!

Drew V: Thanks for your time.



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