June 15, 2010

Richard Alvarez -- Filmmaker, Renaissance Man

Have you seen the new mini-documentary about what Victorian women wore under their dresses? Well, we get to meet the writer, director and producer of the film!

Richard Alvarez is a California based screenwriter and filmmaker with more than thirty years of professional experience in radio, television and film. When he's not on a set shooting, directing or stunt arranging, he's in front of the computer editing or writing screenplays.

I sat down with him yesterday and this is what he had to say ...

This is an amazing mini-documentary, Richard!  I noticed many of the shots were candid shots.  Are costumes a big part of your life?

I’ve been in media production for more than thirty years.  A lot of that was producing period shows for festivals and theme parks across the country. So basically I have a garage full of theatrical and antique garments from various eras. The shot of the Musketeers [in the video] was from a stunt show I produced – my wife made all the doublets from period patterns. A few of the shots in the video depict friends and family in actual Victorian Garments that we have collected over the years.

That's so neat. I'd love to have a garage full of costumes! You wrote, directed and produced the above mini-documentary.  What are some of the most unusual pieces you've done in the past?

I produced an award winning documentary about life on the road as a jouster, entitled American Jouster. www.americanjouster.com.  It aired on the PBS series “Video I” here in the San Francisco Bay area. Probably the most unusual interview I’ve shot, was with his Holiness, the 14th Dalai Lama. That was a real treat, and a moment I will cherish forever.

Wow. That is really special. I understand you also did the voiceover in the video.  With such a rich and versatile voice, this obviously is a huge asset.  Have you ever done commercials or theatre?

I started my professional career in television as a cameraman, but was asked to do some occasional voiceover work when the station talent wasn’t available. Later, I moved into radio as an announcer for the #1 station in Houston, Texas in the late 70’s early 80’s. I can't recall how many radio commercials I've done. I’ve performed in theater and festival settings as well. I formed my production company Pierrot Productions, in 1980 and have been freelancing at every aspect of the media since then. 

You have other talents as well and graciously choreographed the fight scene at the end of A Bride Most Begrudging between Drew and an Indian. It is still one of my most favorite scenes out of all my books. Tell us how it is you knew how to choreograph that scene?

I’ve always been interested in martial arts and stage combat. I trained as a fencer in college and went on to become a Classical Fencing Master. As an actor and fight choreographer, I've directed and performed everything from fist fights, to sword fights to gun fights and mounted combat. I approach a fight scene the way I approach writing dialogue. Because essentially – all fight scenes are basically a physical manifestation of internal dialogue. And just like any other scene, if it’s going to work well it has to advance the plot and illuminate character. 

So when I write or choreograph, I ask the writer or director “What sort of person is fighting?” – Are they experienced or a novice? Frightened or emboldened by righteous indignation? What’s their motivation? This illuminates character. Then I ask “What has to happen to advance the plot?” Is there some physical outcome that must be achieved? Does someone have to be injured in a particular way? Some piece of information revealed that moves the story forward?  Given this information I ‘look around’ in the setting, and I put myself in the mind of each of the characters, and imagine what they would do in that situation.

Oh my goodness! No wonder I love that scene. :)  So, what projects are you working on currently?

I’ve just finished my second screenplay this year. This was the first time writing with my son, which was a great experience, and we’re shopping it now to see if we can get some interest. I’m also going to be getting on horse once again in August and September to direct and perform medieval jousts for a company in Pennsylvania. So I'll be back in armor once more.

That is such a way-cool job! So, your staging and presentation talents, combined with your own artistic abilities as an actor and a writer, put you in a unique position to create videos like this.  If someone wanted to contact you for help with a project, how can they reach you? 

They can reach me by writing to PierrotFilms  at  Yahoo dot com. 

Thanks so much for stopping by, Richard!

***

Is that so crazy fun? If you'd like to ask Richard a question, he will try and pop in this week as his schedule allows. Don't miss this opportunity to visit with a real live filmmaker!!  :)

posted by Deeanne on 06/15/2010

Comments: 15

Gayle said...

THAT is COOL. Don't miss the link to American Jouster. It was amazing, too.

6/15/2010

Barb said...

I'd like to know what he always wanted to be when he grew up?!

6/18/2010

Donna De for said...

What a great post, Dee. I loved the video and can easily imagine you wearing the pretty blue gown.

6/18/2010

RadiantShari said...

Very neat video. I never understood all that went into those gowns! It'll be a lot of fun dressing up and wearing one. :)

6/18/2010

Mocha with Linda said...

I love the name with the play on "waisted"! It's always amazed me how much stuff they wore. And how tight they laced those corsets. Between that and the Southern heat, it's no wonder they swooned all the time! Of course, what I really want to know is how they managed to go to the bathroom in all that "get-up" (as my dad would call it!). And they had privys - there isn't a whole lot of room in an outhouse! LOL

6/18/2010

Richard said...

Barbara asked "What I always wanted to be" - when I grew up. For the most part, I wanted to be an astronaut. They were my heroes as a child. I put pictures and clippings of the astronauts on my wall. I joined the Civil Air Patrol when I was 13, and spent my teen years focusing on getting into the Air Force so I could BECOME an astronaut.(This was before the shuttle program and civilian astronauts). The Viet Nam war changed my mind, and my 'hobbies' of photography and theater started to become my main interests. The rest is in the resume'. (Though I did learn to fly, and enjoyed flying sailplanes)

6/19/2010

Barbara said...

Wow, that is quite the career change! What is one project (or type of project) you'd like to do that you haven't yet?

6/19/2010

Richard said...

While I've written and produced many short films, commercials and documentaries, getting one of my feature screenplays produced is my next goal. I've won awards and optioned two scripts - but seeing them through to completion is a real task. I tell people writing a screenplay is like being an architect. It's not enough to design a wonderful structure, you have to convince someone to spend a LARGE amount of money on building it.

6/20/2010

Deeanne Gist said...

Great questions, Barb!

An astronaut! Wow. I had no idea!

Linda with Mocha--I'm pretty sure these ladies didn't go to the outhouse. They used a chamber pot. It would have been much more manageable and they wouldn't have risked getting their gowns dirty in that nasty outhouse. :)

6/20/2010

Barb said...

So that will be, like, the pinnacle of your career when that happens? Though you've had a pretty fascinating one already! You mentioned your wife. Does she work with you all the time?

6/21/2010

Richard said...

I don't think of seeing one of my screenplays produced as 'the pinnacle'. I see it as 'the next step'. After that, another one. After that, DIRECTING one of my scripts. I see myself as a storyteller, whether its on the page, the stage or the screen. So hopefully I'll go on doing that for the rest of my life. My wife and I have worked together on numerous projects over the years. We also enjoy pursuing our own interests. It makes for an interesting mix of creativity.

6/21/2010

Katybug said...

Fascinating, Dee & Richard! Great interview, and I enjoyed the video. Very eyeopening!!! WOW...I can't imagine going to your Biltmore get-away without a buddy to help dress! Will you be wearing the wig as well?

6/21/2010

Deeanne Gist said...

I won't be wearing the wig at the Getaway because I'll be wearing a Day Dress--which will require a hat. I just don't think I can handle both a hat AND a wig!

I'll be wearing the ball gown (that you see in the video) and the wig at RomCon in Denver next month. http://www.romconinc.com

6/21/2010

Julia said...

Thanks for the great video, Deeanne! It sure brought back memories (good, bad, and interesting!). Many (many) years ago, I was privileged to know Richard as a fellow worker at the TX Renaissance Festival (ever hear from Scotty?). Rick, do you still get down to TX RenFest? Deeanne, here's a tip for those "privy moments". First, you have to have a friend with you (I think this is why women first began "going" in groups!). When you get there, look for a handicapped stall--you'll need the extra space. Reach down your sides and grab the lowest hoop you can, then "walk" your fingers down, gathering the hoops, while rotating them down in front, up in back. This is where drawers/bloomers lose their practicality, because you have to manage to get them down--or be VERY close friends with your helper! Anyway, your friend opens the door for you, stands guard, and may have to help you get said drawers back up. Remember to sit straight down! If you try to bend at the waist...well, it doesn't work. Be sure to practice as much as possible, because sitting in hoops is an art unto itself! Oh, and have a wonderful, wonderful time.

6/23/2010

Richard said...

I visited TRF last October, as a matter of fact! It was great to see a lot of old friends. Although shocking how much we've all aged! I keep in touch with Scotty on FB as well. The internet is the world's longest running High School Reunion.

6/23/2010

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