TROUBLE IS MY BUSINESS, 89min., USA, Crime/Detective
Directed by Tom Konkle
Private Investigator Roland Drake falls for two sisters from the Montemar family. One woman is dead and the other wants to kill him.

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?

When I decided to give myself permission to make this film, I thought what genre and what limitations were a strength and it occurred to me that in the 1940s and 1950s what would've been considered a low budget independent film was quite frequently film noir because unlike a MGM musical, where they had all this money in sets and light, they had to make much with little and turned it into a strength.

In that when you were filming, you didn't need a lot of light just very stylized light, you didn't need a lot of bright sets, through angles, stylized lighting and performances you create a reality. You could have darkness in the image abd the characters and space and use that ambience as an asset. Not only is film noir an attitude, it is a way of storytelling, certain kinds of characters and an outlook on the world. It's very human. Clever witty characters banter in the dark underbelly of human nature

The genre is also a style that lends itself to indie filmmaking with the resources I had as a filmmaker and actor. in my case, when I'm making my first low budget indie feature, I wanted to assemble the great team of actors I knew from me years acting and crew I had from years of production to do something that I would enjoy seeing as a love letter to film noir. I wanted to try to make a fun distinctive film noir movie as a period piece .

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?

4 1/2 years to do. I had the plot and story ideas and shared ten with Brittney Powell my partner in this. We wrote it up performing all the characters out loud. I worked with my producing partner Michael Smith on organizing and planning how to shoot. Also great producing help from David Beeler who played Lew MacDonald. I directed it in a 17 day shoot spread out over time. Then tense post production for a year to finish it.

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

You're doomed.

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film? Money. Getting financing. Physical hard costs. And then the long long hours to make it.

5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?

I was so grateful and happy to see that the film connected with people and that they got it that they understood what I was trying to evoke as a character or is a intricate mystery story there's nothing better than enjoying it again through someone else's eyes.

6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?

on the ride home in the car is a boy I'm seeing Star Wars. I announce to my parents that I would be leaving and going to Hollywood. They were very sad because I was their only child but the day after I graduated, I did pack everything I owned, drove across the country and never moved back. I did move them out here eventually lol.

7. What film have you seen the most in your life?

Probably Raiders Of The Lost Ark. I was obsessed with that film.

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 think screenings and exposure in general having someone else to talk about your film and help promote. It is everything because they're going to reach people that you don't know.

I think also having a sense of community and meeting say a great Director of photography or another Screenwriter threw a festival experience can be very valuable, but the most important thing is helping with discovery of your film.

9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experiences been working on the festival platform site?

Filmfreeway is a fantastic portal. I love that you can track where projects are that. They're in consideration if they've won an award, it keeps a record of everything. I love that you have everything uploaded that needs to be submitted and that everything is standardized. I think it's a terrific service.

10. What is your favorite meal?

A chicken and cheese burrito enchilada style.

11. What is next for you? A new film?

I am currently looking for financing for my next feature films. A science fiction adventure , a thriller, and a horror comedy. I have the pitch decks and all the materials ready.