Marc Jovani - Composer for Jersey Shore Shark Attack

Thank you Marc for sitting down with us.


JSSA: When did you become the incredible composer/musician you are today?

Marc Jovani: Well, I don't think I'm an incredible composer... just yet! lol A lucky one, maybe, but other than that just a composer. But, if there's something that changed my life, in terms of getting me started in this world was going through the USC's Film Scoring Program. You learn a lot about the industry and how everything works here in LA, in that program. Then I knew Andres Boulton, who's a great composer and music editor, and we've been working together in several projects since then. This is one of them.

JSSA: What inspired your music for Jersey Shore Shark Attack?

Marc Jovani: When all this started, I was in Spain, so I took my Spanish Guitar and then.... no, just kidding! haha  Before any note was written, I had a long meeting over Skype with Andres. We just finished a project together, where he was the music editor, and things went very well, so we were motivated to start with this one. We established some concepts that had to be musically achieved... Action, Horror, Fun, Love... and I wrote a 3min suite that would contain those emotions. I sent it over and seemed to work for the directors and producers. That was a good starting point, because it had the main themes that would be developed in movie afterwards. Once we had that, everything else was much easier. It was about fitting those themes over the different scenes. We met a couple of times when I was back in LA, to discuss some rewrites, but the whole process went very smooth.

JSSA: Was it easy to steer clear of the "usual" JAWS type of theme? Or did that pop in your head a lot? (LOL)

Marc Jovani: Haha, good one! It was made clear that the JAWS kind of feel was something we had to totally avoid. JAWS theme is very specific and known. The director didn't want that, so basically we came up with the idea of using Brass (instead the Strings of the JAWS theme), every time a shark was coming (or every time we wanted to make feel danger). I think it doesn't sound close, but tweet me tomorrow if you think it does :)

JSSA: Is there any clear main theme that you develop during the movie?

Marc Jovani: Oh yeah! There are three themes for this movie, but there is one clear main theme that gets developed. And that's a conversation Andres and I were having constantly. How big the theme has to sound, and when does it have to reach the climax, in the movie. It was very important to have a theme that would develop with the Jersey Shore boys/girls. At the beginning of the movie no one believes them, but you can feel they'll end doing something important, and I think the music played an important roll making them seem more heroes-like as the movie moves forward. If you want to check it out before the movie, here's the main theme, almost fully developed, coming around minute 1 in the JSSA Suite http://snd.sc/JX16E8 Right after that comes the love theme.

JSSA: Do you have a favorite section of the soundtrack?

Marc Jovani: There is this moment when Tony Siroco, who plays Capitan Salie's character, tells the Jersey Shore boys the story about the "Jersey Shore Shark Attack of 1916". It's a crucial scene because some of the reasons why the sharks are attacking the shore get revealed. It is a mysterious/intriguing yet comical moment. So the music has to point those funny moments, yet stay a bit in the dark/mysterious said... and it's got to work all together! I think it does, and it was a lot of fun working that one!

JSSA: Do you have any advice for other start up composers? Some advice that may help them through their journey of learning?

Marc Jovani: Passion, Work, Focus, Push, Ideas, Improve, Serve, Persist... and Patience

Thank you for your time, Marc.

Ben Giroux Interview - Jersey Shore Shark Attack

JSSA: Hello there Ben. 

Ben Giroux: Hello!

JSSA: How are you doing today?

Ben Giroux: It's a good day: I'm on the front of SyFy's website getting my head eaten by a super-sized albino shark.  So, you know, a typical Thursday.

JSSA: How was your experience playing the role of "Joey Pelligrino" in Jersey Shore Shark Attack?

Ben Giroux: I had an absolute blast working with such a talented, funny group of people.  It's always such a pleasure working on sets where both the cast and crew are genuinely having a great time.  John (the director) has a wonderful, positive demeanor -- and a wicked sense of humor.  Jeremy, Joey, Booko, Grant, and Dylan were all super rad.  I have a whole new appreciation for abdominal muscles and spray tans.

JSSA: What was your process for getting the role?

Ben Giroux: I've had some pretty crazy auditions in my life: I've hung from a man-sized baby bjorn, I've jumped around a casting office as a monkey-creature, and I've played a human bowling pin.  But my audition for "Jersey Shore Shark Attack" takes the cake: I had to mimic being eaten by a shark.  Easy in theory, hard in practice.  I like to really embody the roles I audition for -- but dismembering my limbs seemed like an excessive choice.  So, I listened to the JAWS theme song, screamed really loud, and BAM -- booked the part.  Take that, method acting.

JSSA: What were some of your favorite moments on set?

Ben Giroux: My character MC'ed a wet T-shirt content.  I will die a happy man.

JSSA: Was there one scene you think stands out for you?

Ben Giroux: The obvious scene that stands out is... SPOILER ALERT... where I get eaten by a shark.  There's a sentence you don't see everyday, right?  Here's the real horror story: we shot this movie in November at Redondo Beach Pier.  That's winter time, for those of you keeping score at home.  JP's costume couldn't accommodate a wet-suit, and I had to repeatedly dive into 46-degree water at 6:30 AM.  I could only be in the water for three minutes at a time before I started to lose feeling in my limbs.  It was definitely one of the most physically exhausting (and COLD!) experiences of my acting career -- but it was a total blast.  As George Costanza would say... "there was significant shrinkage."

JSSA: Do you feel there are positive and negative stereotypes because of the TV show Jersey Shore?

Ben Giroux: There is much to be analyzed from "Jersey Shore Shark Attack."  Stereotypes.  Socio-economic strife.  Geological implications.  World peace.  The entire film is actually a subtle commentary on existentialism.  And if you play the movie backwards, you can hear Joey Fatone whispering philosophical musings from Henry David Thoreau.  It's actually quite profound.

JSSA: What reactions are you expecting from your audience watching Jersey Shore Shark Attack?

Ben Giroux: Tears, screams, psychotic laughter -- total, utter chaos.  I'd expect nothing less.

JSSA: When and where can your fans watch Jersey Shore Shark Attack?

Ben Giroux: This Saturday night, June 9th, on SyFy!  It will also undoubtedly be available on DVD in the near future -- so buy it too!

JSSA: Do you have new projects on the burner to tell your fans about?

Ben Giroux: I've always got my hand in a myriad of projects.  My company, Small Red Cape, is producing a variety of comedy web and TV content.  Check out BenAndBurman.com and AwkwardUniverse.com for our latest work.  We're also moving into production on a new web project called "Sh*tty Dates" -- which is exactly what it sounds like.

In addition, I just filmed another movie with the JSSA crew (directed by Peter Sullivan), dubbed "Twister Warning!"  I'm apparently a masochist... I went from sharks to tornadoes.

JSSA: Where is the best place for Ben Giroux fans to find out the most information about those upcoming projects?

Ben Giroux: To stay up-to-date with all my projects, please check out BenGiroux.com and subscribe to me on Twitter @BenGiroux -- thanks!

JSSA: Thanks a bunch for taking the time out of your day to sit back and chat with us. We look so forward to seeing you as "Joey Pelligrino "on Jersey Shore Shark Attack.

My pleasure -- enjoy the movie!

-- Ben
Ben Giroux
Actor | Producer

Stay tuned for interviews from ...

Ben Giroux, Daniel Booko, and Marc Jovani.

John Shepphird - Director - Jersey Shore Shark Attack

JSSA: Hi John Shepphird. Thank you for taking time out to answer some questions for your fans and the crew.

Absolutely.

JSSA: How long have you been directing films?


John Shepphird: As director my first feature was in 1992 titled Teenage Bonnie & Klepto Clyde featuring Scott Wolf, Maureen Flannigan, and the great Tom Bower.   I’ve had the opportunity to direct a number of films and television movies since then and collaborate with many extremely talented people.  Jersey Shore Shark Attack is my ninth film.  

JSSA: What have been some of your most inspirational moments in the business?

John Shepphird: I was very proud that a Christmas film I co-wrote and directed I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus, which was also produced by Jeff Schenk from this film, became the highest-rated telefilm on the PAX Network and then went on to be scheduled annually in ABC Family’s 25 Days of Christmas series for over a decade.  It has a lot of humor and heart, and everything about creating that film was a great experience.

JSSA: What is your general philosophy about directing?

John Shepphird: Hire people you trust, both in-front of and behind the camera, and encourage all to bring their own unique contribution to the project.  It’s like a party, a big pot luck, everyone contributes something.  As a director my job is to bring all the departments together to shape the narrative, actors, camera, wardrobe, lighting, sound and post production with the time and resources we have at our disposal.  Directing is the art of collaboration.  


JSSA: What was some of your greatest challenges in Jersey Shore Shark Attack?


John Shepphird: It will probably sound cliché but working in and around water is very time consuming, in boats, actors in water, sharks, etc.  Coordination and planning were key and I was extremely fortunate that I had first assistant director John Stecenko on my team.  John Stecenko is the best first AD I’ve ever worked with.  His ideas were great, and his pre-production planning and scheduling were exceptional.  He never stopped for a second in his tireless efforts to maximize our resources and make it the best movie it could be.      

JSSA: What moments stick out for you as a pivotal point in this film?


John Shepphird: I really like the scene with Jack Scalia and Jeremy Luc in the police station as father and son try to come to terms.  Genre films, such as this, are great fun.  However I strongly feel between the action and escalation there needs to be moments of real “truth” in every genre film.  Everyone on earth can relate to conflict between family members, that’s a universal truth.  Jack and Jeremy did a great job in that scene.  It’s layered, and in between all the action, laughs, and fun we experience an exchange that makes us care about this estranged father and son.
   

JSSA: What do you want fans to get from this film?


John Shepphird: To have fun, and hopefully a few laughs

JSSA: What advice do you have for future directors?


John Shepphird: To learn as much as they can about all aspects of film production and how actors apply their craft.  Don’t be afraid to ask and learn from every department.  Take an acting class or two so you’re familiar with, and not afraid of, actors.  Pitch in wherever you see an opportunity and be willing to work for free.  Although I earned a MFA from Columbia University in writing & directing I was incredibly fortunate to volunteer as a crew member at the Sundance Institute June Laboratory for many, many years.  Watching other directors, cinematographers, and actors work was extremely valuable.  Then later, working as an editor, I began to understand what’s needed to make a scene work.  All of that was very helpful.  With the exception of wardrobe, hair, and make-up I’ve worked almost every job on a movie set and came away with a kernel of knowledge each time.  Now, as director, I understand the needs and challenges of every department and can make decisions based on realistic expectations.  Try to become familiar with the craft and tell stories the best you can.            

JSSA: Thank you again John.


Onward!

Steven M. Blasini - Visual Effects - Jersey Shore Shark Attack

Hi Steve! Thank you for your time.
*************************************
JSSA: How did you get started in special effects?

Steven Blasini: I have dreamed of a career in Visual Effects since the age of 7. My older brother Tony seeded and fed my yearning by taking me to see most of the effects laden films of the time. Determined to bring my dream to life using any and all tools at my disposal, I would shoot Super 8 movies with "visual effects" created using cardboard, Styrofoam and any other piece of cool looking "junk" I could find. Back then there were no Computer Generated effects and living in New York there was no access to the field. So through trial and error (and a bit of fate sprinkled in) I set myself up in the computer industry where I started my own successful computer consulting firm. Jurassic Park then came along and bridged the worlds of Computers and Visual Effects creating the "backdoor" I needed.

In 1998, after the unexpected demise of my 17 year marriage, I sold my computer business, packed my minivan with everything I owned and drove cross country to establish a new life in the Dream City of Los Angeles. Two months later I landed a job as an animator in a small independent film studio where I advanced in short time to Visual Effects Supervisor and Department Head.

In 2000 I met the woman of my dreams, married her in 2001 and together we founded a rapidly growing Visual Effects and Graphics Design company, BFX Imageworks. So the dream I had at the age of 7 came true some 30 years later. Never give up. Hold on tight to your dreams and never let them go. They DO come true!


JSSA: What was a poignant moment for you as you were learning the skills of special effects?

Steven Blasini: I suppose it was when I created a short film where a T-Rex chases a poor sap and ends up grabbing him
by the leg and carrying him off. That poor sap was ME! So not only did I create the animation, I had to create
a digital double of myself....everyone loved it!

JSSA: Do you have a favorite effect that you've done over the years?

Steven Blasini: There are many, but if I had to choose one, it would be one particular scene from our 2007 Sy-Fy Channel movie "Ice Spiders".
In it, there's one shot where a spider is "chomping" on a dead human carcass.. which I had also created completely in CGI and when the director came by to review it.. he asked me where I had gotten an extra to perform that scene... he was completely unaware that the entire shot was CG. That's the best compliment ever!

JSSA: What was your inspiration in Jersey Shore Shark Attack?

Steven Blasini: Well, Jersey Shore Shark Attack marks our THIRD shark movie that we've done.. so we're becoming somewhat of a Shark Shop when it comes to VFX. For all our movies we have to do TONS of research on whatever creature we're generating and animating so you can imagine how EXPERT we've become on this Shark Subject!

JSSA: Was there a shot in the film that was more tricky than the other?

Steven Blasini: There's a sequence where the yacht that the "preppies" are on is sinking because of a hole made by a ramming shark... they couldn't sink the real boat, nor did we have the time or budget to recreate it in CG.. so I had to come up with a clever way to take the actual real boat, extract it from the scene.. and place it lower and lower into the ocean and add the CGI shark fins all the while keeping a realistic water line. That was a HARD one to figure out.. especially since not only was the boat the camera was on moving and bobbing, but the camera was handheld...

JSSA: How much was creative and how much was technical?

Steven Blasini: I would say in general MOST of our work is 75% creative and 25% technical. Once you setup systems and pipelines to handle most things you encounter.. you are free to be creative.

JSSA: Do you work more independantly off script when doing films?

Steven Blasini: We enjoy a great reputation of pretty much handling most if not all of our effects shots from conception. There are the occasional producer or director notes.. but we are given a lot of autonomy because after having done over 60 films, we really get it. Plus we usually enjoy very good relationships with everyone we work with.

JSSA: What is a great avenue for fans of yours, your effects and Jersey Shore Shark Attack to find information about you?

Steve Blasini: 
Our website at:

http://bfximageworks.com

and our Facebook company page at:

https://www.facebook.com/BFXImageworks

JSSA: What words of wisdom do you have for future Special Effects artists?

Steve Blasini: I think I can re-quote myself from question one above... Never give up. Hold on tight to your dreams, never let them go and don't EVER EVER let ANYONE dissuade you. You can most DEFINITELY make them come true! My wife and I are proof of that!
;-)

Thank you so much, Steve!