Interview

H.R. "ROACH" Crystal Interview

Julie “XT” Ruffell, script editor of “Awakenings” interviews H.R. “Roach” Crystal, the producer/director/editor/co-writer of “Awakenings” about the film.

H.R. “Roach” Crystal: Honestly? Off hand comment by the writer, Trish Ellis, to one H.R. Crystal (Me) at the right time. It was a single one line comment over MSN Messenger to the general gist of "Sara and Lara so rock when they're together, why couldn't they have included their friendship in the series or in the movies?" and my simply reply was, "Write it, and I will shoot it". The rest is well, history. :) Though the ultimate beginnings was mostly my bad, I shared my Witchblade collection with Trish, and got her hooked, and uhm, she couldn't stop there, had to get the comics, found Lara Croft amongst them, got all the Tomb Raider comics, and again...the rest is history.

ROACH: Where there's a will, there's a way, and there's a Roach. There's something about working for peanuts, doing the same old thing day after day (talking heads in offices get REALLY old), and constantly fighting scheduling of kids, work, life, etc, that just comes to a head and it's Decision Time. My decision? "Go big, or go home and watch someone else’s success on DVD". And that's so not me. So when I made the comment to Trish that "You write it, I'll shoot it". I meant it. I FINALLY had something I could do that was not only interesting, fun, but had some action in it. I just found myself wanting to do something fun, that I had some creative control in, other than just making a framing adjustment, or lighting adjustment, etc etc.

ROACH: Process? You think there was a process?! Hah, this is a story for another day. But let's just say this much - this movie cast itself.

XT: Who are you most surprised about getting for the film (cast or crew) and who are you most excited to be working with?

ROACH: Huhm, toughie. Okay, surprised about getting? No one (for the cast). Overly pleased to have them available? I'd have to say Staci Bernstein. I've been working under her really hard for the past three months on a handful of projects, and she's amazing. Having her on my crew? Is, well, hard to describe. But let me try. Ever work with someone who knows what you're thinking, there's like three words exchanged and miracles happen? Someone there who has exactly what you need when you need it? (Staci and I refer to this as 'The cavalry'). There...that's it. Most excited person about working with? I can't decide; all these guys/gals are awesome in one way or another. Either their personality, or their friendship with me, their generosity and helpfulness behind the scenes (of other projects, not “Awakenings” just yet). This is already a tight knit cast/crew, and we haven't laid down any tape yet.

ROACH: A lot? Oh my, they don't make words that define the amount of work that goes into an independent film. But let me see if I can toss out some general ideas to give everyone a feel for it. Hollywood moderate budget movie? Ever watch those credits? Figure a crew of 70ish (some more, some less, but that's a nice round number). So 70 jobs. Everyone working to make it happen, and they have money to do so. Now cut that staff down to 5, and give them no money. And now you're wondering how this gets pulled off. Well, very, very creative people. If you don't have money to throw at it, you get creative, simply put. Producing? Many of you don't know what this involves, but here's the general gist. Gather your script, make sure it's all edited, and workable. Cast you characters, (No biggie on “Awakenings”). Contracts, insurance, deals, deals and more deals. Find locations (something of a bitch on no budget). Costumes, props, technical aspects such as lights, camera's, audio. And surely we would jest to leave out scheduling! Try working around 5 actors who all have other engagements, plays, projects, etc? NOT EASY! But doable, and we've done it. Add in a website, graphics and all that jazz. And now...we're just into the production which is pretty much endless hours of work for me, two crews, running almost consistently from 7:30am to say about 11:00PM all over the greater Seattle area. And I won't even touch Post Production.

ROACH: Well qualify it with a "Thing" and well, I guess "Destroyer of Nations" gets the credit for this one. -- and this the name of Roach's computer on the Realm's Network. Without it, I'd have not had a script (nor had met the writer) made most of the connections, nor had been able to do all the research. People wise? While I'd love to give Trish credit for being the base of my existence, (cause she is, but she's in Canada, I'm not) I'd have to say, in actually MAKING this film, the person I couldn't do without is Danielle [Reierson]. She's so supportive in ways, I can't really define, but when I'm having the worst moment one can think of, a phone call from here, or a quickie visit just makes it all better. I guess she kinda puts my mind back in the right zone to keep on plugging away at this.

ROACH: There are a few, but the one most fitting is "Oh, the bitch is just getting started" because it's not only relative to Pez and her moment in time when it's said, but it's relative to me, and what I'm doing with this Project. I'm just getting started as well. There are a few lines that have made me laugh (to the point of spewing beverage out my nose) and there are some that touch a little close to the heart. But overall, It's all about the bitch and her getting that attitude on. :)

ROACH: Different ones for different reasons. But the general list? The airplane, because of the range it's gonna require to pull off for Alyssa [Tomoff] and Danielle, and as a director, this will be a massive accomplishment to get it exactly how I envision it. The second – the girl talk on the way through the parking lot. But you know all that action in the beginning in croft manor, and at the end in the hangar, I don't know! Fun to watch but grave diggin' to shoot!

ROACH: Bit of both. I'm Pez until my temper is unleashed, then I'm Croft all the way. I can play the lady, but prefer being a tomboy.

ROACH: Prior Filming experience -- now there's a loaded question. Film? Nadda. Video? Quite a resume. Under my belt I have two feature films, 5 shorts, 3 PSA's (Public Service announcements, 3 music videos (like the kind ya see on MTV), a handful (guessing at 4-5) behind the camera entanglements for SCAN TV. Theatre archives? Gee, I can't even guess to the number, but it's probably somewhere in the upper 30's on those. Any of the above is me behind the camera, lots of lighting, but basically "Camera Jockey".

ROACH: Well, one can have an identity online, but mine kinda stretched from my personal life, into my online life, and back into my business life. Roach's Realm Productions is my production company. Until awakenings I was mostly centered around distribution of short films, and shooting video as a business. With that came my website, roachsrealm.com which does cater to a wide variety of people....from Fans of “Xena,” “Witchblade,” “Mutant X,” “Andromeda,” to video traders, encoders, techies, to people who enjoy music videos etc. RoachsRealm.com is basically that, it's "Roach's" REALM (my world, my playground) online. I do as I please, because I also run my own webserver. :)

ROACH: What am I most well known for....gee, depends on who you ask. :) I'd have to say in the general "Xenaverse" I'm known for making fan based music videos. You know, take a song take some clips of a TV show, put them together and have fun. Outside of the Xenaverse I'm probably best known for my "Archives"/"Collection" of TV and movie media. I create/trade/share, across all fandoms. Next, probably the "Techie" me, which is the master of encoding video. If it's a moving picture? I know how to manipulate it from one format to another. (this is Roach's Strength, and where she plays the most).

ROACH: Well, kind of a long story. But basically, it's short for my middle name -- Rochelle. (what the H stands for is well, only for those really cool people to know). Gotta keep some mystery right? Anyway, when I was in the 6th grade, my teacher at the time could never say my name right. One day it got shortened to "Roach", it stuck. My classmates started calling me that, friends, even family. I thought I had shaken it when I went to college but a single phone call from my bestest best buddy that my roommate answered, and it was back. So I figured why fight it, run with it. And in cause you're curious, even my mother calls me Roach (though not often) my husband does, and I'm pretty sure my kids will too here shortly.

ROACH: Huhm, I'll probably piss off a lot of fans here with this answer. There honestly is no SAFE response to this one, so I'll take my lickin's where they're due. Kick ass female character -- Has to be Sara Pezzini – “Witchblade.” Why? She's human, deals with human issues, but manages to find a strength outside of her "special weapon" that makes her all that more attractive and someone who should be idolized. While Lara Croft is strong, and fun to watch, (or read about) there's not a lot of depth and gee, (and this is sarcastic) all those guns? What are we really thinking here? Not reality. But she's about entertainment. Simliar situation with “Xena.” She's got her moments, both in action, and that human side, but touches into non-reality a bit too much. I'd even to venture to say Syndey Bristow (“Alias”) and Shalimar Fox (“Mutant X”) Aeryn Sun (“Farscape”) and Samantha Carter (“Stargate SG-1”) are in the top running, but alas, I'd have to say, It's Pez all the way.

ROACH: Ask me when I've finished shooting the first one. :) Honestly, as a fan YES, I'm game for a trilogy. As a producer/director/editor? Just make it quick and painless and have someone run me over with a bus. After "Awakenings" yes I'm sure people will be screaming for a sequel, but you see, my bank account is going to need a recovery period, as is my brain, body, and my psyche. There is honestly no way I'd do two let alone three, no budget feature length films back to back. It's suicide. So I guess if you wanna see a trilogy, find the money to make it worth while for me to kill myself. I could be out flipping burgers for $6.25 an hour, versus spending a minimum of $20.00 an hour for a production? (though many of those working with me, are on that favor basis right now). But if I were in it for the money? I'd be working at a fast food restaurant. But that's not where my heart is. But a trilogy? It's possible, but remember, TIME is YOUR FRIEND!

ROACH: Ah you just wanted to add some pressure. Well, let see. We shoot it in April. I take a short vacation to reacquaint myself with a normal life schedule, get to know my kids again, etc....We're in mid may now. Editing. Rough edit? At least a month (so now we're into June) lay in special effects (got some help there, so can be working on something else at the same time) lay in foley, audio adjustments, color correction, etc etc? Figure about August of 2006 IF WE'RE LUCKY!