Battle Of LA, 14min., USA
Directed by Patrick Pizzolorusso
During one of Los Angeles' most bizarre evenings in 1942, a 'something' was spotted over the skies. A 'something' that the anti-aircraft batteries opened fire on. A 'something' that a young scientist finds at a small crash site and brings back to her home.Throughout the evening her colleague and her do their best to figure out what it is and what they need to do.

https://tinyrocketfilms.com/
https://www.instagram.com/pactorpizz/

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?
The need to make my own work. Hollywood isn't calling, unfortunately. I know I am surrounded by an incredibly talented circle of friends and felt the time was right for us to all come together and create something we could all be proud of. Something that could showcase all our talents. From my incredibly gifted cinematographer, to my editor, sound designers, colorist, and of course, we actors in it.

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?
14 years! Some of my original brain storming notes were from 14 years ago. Over the years I've added to them or adjusted the arc of the story. Once I decided to really go for it, it took about a year and a half. From the moment I dusted off the script and finished it to the moment we rendered our final edt.

3. How would you describe your film in two words!?
Fantastical hope

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?
Patience. Seriously. Patience. Post-production takes time. Especially when you're waiting on creatives' schedules to open up because you absolutely want to work with them. This whole project has been a lesson in patience and staying true to your vision. Not sacrificing anything just for the sake of finishing. But being patient enough for it to be done correctly.

5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?
I had such a feeling of relief and validation. Relief that people liked something that I've put out there into the world. And validation that the ideas we had going into this and the vision I had for this film were clear and viewers picked up on everything. I finished watching it with a big sigh and just said out loud to nobody, "they got it!"

6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?
I've always wanted to tell stories. As an actor in NYC I was mostly working on the stage because it's just so readily accessible there. Filmmaking is just another path for storytelling. Once I moved out here I realized what a talented circle of friends I had that we should make our own work. Tell our own stories.

7. What film have you seen the most in your life?
Raiders of the Lost Ark. It's hands down my favorite. It's one of those perfect films that captures an era in time and embodies the genre it's emulating flawlessly.

8. What other elements of the festival experience can we and other festivals implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking career?
I love a good workshop. Or even a Q&A with industry professionals. Being able to get insight from someone working in the field is invaluable. Being able to ask a question or two of industry professionals who want to be there and want to help new and up and coming filmmakers is incredibly beneficial at this stage in a lot of our careers.

9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experiences been working on the festival platform site?
Hoenstly I love it. It's incredibly easy to navigate and the information provided by each festival is in an incredibly easy to read format.

10. What is your favorite meal?
My grandfather would probably curse me, In Italian, if I didn't say Lasagna.

11. What is next for you? A new film?
I am in the midst of writing my next film and working on some practical effects for it. Battle of LA was full of practical effects and real working props. It's something I am a big fan of in movie-making. So my next writing project is going to be another fantastical piece just possibly a different genre. Something older. And Westerner. But that's all I can say for now.