This is the first incarnation of a feature we wanted to start on Stage6 where we interview/profile/expose film makers, video bloggers, and generally content creators of all natures. This site is built to be their platform, so it’s only due that they take the stage, front and center.

First up on the stage is Thomas L. Phillips
IMDB page

Where did you grow up?

I was born and raised in Knoxville, TN. The south is a world in and of itself. It is a great place to be from and visit. I am in no way saying it's a bad place to live, but it feels to operate on its own terms, within a box that it created for itself. And if you operate outside that box it is difficult to fit in, be understood and express yourself creatively. I left Knoxville in 1995 when I was 20 years old. I was walking home from my night job as a dishwasher when a gun was stuck to my head. That night I packed what little I owned and moved to Ludington, MI. There I stayed with my parents for three years and attended West Shore Community College. I then went onto Flagstaff Arizona to study theatre at Northern Arizona University. And from there I came to California to get my MFA in Film Production at Chapman University. All this after dropping out of High School, not once, but twice.

What got you interested in Film?

Growing up my Dad was always watching movies, every day, every night, all the time. He took the family to the theatre almost every weekend. He introduced me to the classics. I can't even begin to recall the numerous VHS players we went through growing up. There were always rented movies to watch. I was blessed because my parents let me watch anything I wanted to, they never censored my viewing selection. I am glad my parents were not these overly sensitive politically correct types that think the media is the cause for all the problems with our youth. I am sure that without my liberal and diverse upbringing, that I would not be the creative person that i am today.

I decided that I wanted to be a filmmaker in 1994. I had rented CLERKS by KEVIN SMITH, and after watching it over and over I knew I could do it and that there was nothing else I wanted to do. Kevin had the same reaction after he had viewed the movie SLACKER by RICHARD LINKLATER in 1991. They both made super-low-budget independent films on their terms. They told the stories that they wanted to tell and made the movies by whatever means neccasary. The early 90's were a significant time in independent cinema. It was a time when independent films were brought to the forefront, they were not just art house selections anymore, they were becoming mainstream, and the audience was there to watch.

Who are your influences?

Kevin Smith. Richard Linklater. Ed Burns. Robert Rodriquez. Hal Hartley. Jim Jarmusch. John Sayles. David Gordon Green.

These filmmakers all have one thing in common, they started from the bottom. They all started making low-to-no-budget independent films. They made their movies the way they wanted. The didn't have a lot of money but the still made it happen. They all wanted to be filmmakers and they were filmmakers, just because they said so and wanted it. They didn't need anyones approval or money to make it happen. They just did it.

What equipment do you shoot on, edit with etc?

I shoot on everything, DV, HD, 16mm and 35mm. I think they all have their own place in filmmaking and they all lend their own unique feel to the telling of a story. I edit everything in FINAL CUT PRO, and I wouldn't change it for the world. It is such a user friendly professional program. I would like to be a little more familiar with the expensive AVID that most studio films are still cut on.

What advice would you have for creative minds wanting to get into this space?

Just do it. Robert Rodriguez says if you wanna be a filmmaker, then just say you're a filmmaker. Nothing is holding anyone back, especially in the digital revolution. Study the greats, the classics and you will learn a tremendous amount about storytelling. Being a filmmaker is not just about cool effects and awesome shots. It's about telling a story and developing characters that an audience cares about. Anyone can point a camera and hit the record button. But why are you pointing the camera this way? What are you trying to convey to the audience? What story are you telling? Who's story are you telling?

Also, as a filmmaker, one should learn a little bit about everything that goes into making a movie. I am not saying you need to be a master in all aspects of filmmaking, but have an understanding of it. Learn about cinematography, editing, sound, budgeting, scheduling, etc. This will give you a better understanding about what each person brings to the collaborative effort of making a movie.

How do you see digital shaping the content space in the future?

Digital, for me as a filmmaker, is a double edged sword. On the positive side it allows us independent filmmakers the chance to make make movies affordably. It allows us the opportunity to actually be filmmakers, whereas twenty years ago we could not have afforded it. The digital revolution has opened so many doors for independent filmmakers and given us a voice and a chance to compete with the big boys with all the money. There are plenty of great films and filmmakers that we know of just because of the digital revolution. Plus we can do more takes because it's not so expensive, we now can make sure that we have exactly what we want without worrying if we are going to run out of expensive film.

The negative side of of the digital explosion also comes form the fact that it is so accessible and affordable. Everyone and their mother thinks they are filmmakers now. You have a little money lying around, you buy a camera and an editing program, get your friends together and make a movie. This, in and of itself, is not a bad thing. Because at least you are doing something creative and exploring the world of storytelling. The problem is that the independent film world is now so diluted with bad films, that it is even harder for a quality film to get any kind of recognition, especially on the film festival circuit, which is where independent filmmakers depend on getting their movie seen. These festival screeners sift through so many bad films that they hardly even care what they are watching by the time they get to a good one.

So, basically it has its negative and positive effects on the independent film world. But the again, I would not trade the advancement of the digital revolution for anything.

Tell us about your last project.

My last project was the independent feature film RATTLE BASKET. We shot the film in September of 2006 and finished post-production in January of 2007. Since then the movie has started to be sent out to festivals and will continue to do so throughout the year. The festival circuit is a long and grueling process. So far we have been accepted in 2 major festivals with many more coming throughout the year.

The movie is a character driven dramedy directed by myself and written by screenwriter Jared Tweedie. The film stars Amanda MacDonald, Gia Natale, Alex Walters, Barbara Jacques, Andy Allen, Matt Blashaw, Lynne Newton and Ray Fuller. The movie is a true independent film about real people that an audience can identify with. It has equal amounts of drama and comedy. To give the readers here a better comparison, I would say it falls close to movies like GARDEN STATE, SIDEWAYS or ME YOU AND EVERYONE WE KNOW.

To really get a feel for the film, everyone should check out the trailer here on the movies Stage 6 Channel, or at the films official website

That my friends was a shameless plug.

Here is the logline for the film:
Two sisters alienate the male friend who's always protected them from the fallout of their dysfunctional relationships.


Now this is the section we have our default 6 question questionnaire, hereby dubbed...
6 on the Stage

1. Describe yourself in exactly five words.
Creative. Independent. Passionate. Diligent. Anal.

2. What was your first camera?
The Cannon XL1- It was the shit at the time, I think you can get them on Ebay for $5 now.

3. Favorite movie quote?
"I gave her my heart, she gave me a pen." Lloyd Dobler (John Cusack) - SAY ANYTHING

4. Who were you in high school?
Nobody

5. What is the first video you remember watching online?
The MATRIX trailer.

6. Popcorn or Candy?
Candy all the way. Snowcaps!!!