Tells Story Of Prominent Actress
The Lost Interview with Carlina La Salle, a short film by a Ridgewood-based filmmaker made its debut at the New Filmmakers New York Film Festival last Saturday, Oct. 4.
This is the latest project from Robertson Tirado, a Grover Cleveland High School graduate. It explores the fictional life of a prominent German-born actress in the early 20th century.
The 18-minute docudrama takes the form of an extended interview with La Salle, similar to the feature-length film, Frost/Nixon, Tirado said. In the short, La Salle discusses her life, and coming to America to begin a career as an actress in the talkies.
Tirado wrote, produced and directed the film which stars Amanda Long as La Salle. He made it in his spare hours while working full-time managing a home improvement business, he said.
Always interested in filmmaking, Tirado stated he made his first movie when he was 17.
To create the black and white piece, Tirado built his own sets, found vintage costumes and paid for the production out of his own pocket
He viewed the project as another step in pursuit of a passion for creating film and art, Tirado told the Times Newsweekly. This passion for filmmaking has beckoned Tirado to “learn every aspect of the craft,” he said.
“I forced myself to write a script,” he said. “From there the juices started flowing and I just started writing like crazy.”
His inspirations range from Steven Spielberg to John Sayles, but his foundation “will always be Indiana Jones,” he said.
“As those who have bene following my film career can attest, I have a long list of people who have inspired my canvas,” he said. “This time I’m giving a nod to many others, such as Louis Malles, whose interview-based film “My Dinner Wirth Andre,” was so engaging; Ron Howard, who helmed “Frost/Nixon,” which was also highly regarded; and Bob Fosse, whose “Lenny,” used ultra realistic on-camera interviews so effectively. It’s a fascinating method of visual storytelling, and I’m glad I’ve had the opportunity to try it out on my own.”
