From IMDB: Cajun filmmaker and screenwriter Seth Savoy is catapulting himself into the entertainment industry, quickly becoming known for his flashy filmmaking style with heavy hitting A-list talent.
I had the pleasure of interviewing Seth about his recent film, Echo Boomers. Based on a true story, five college graduates decide the best way to get back at the unfair economy and live the life they’ve always wanted is to steal from Chicago’s richest and give to themselves. It stars Patrick Schwarzenegger as well as Alex Pettyfer and Michael Shannon. But what’s next for this up-and-coming director? Read on to find out.
Tell us a little bit about Echo Boomers, what can viewers expect?
Echo Boomers is a completely independent film starring Michael Shannon, Patrick Schwarzenegger, Alex Pettyfer and Hayley Law and Iʼd explain it as fun political commentary. Itʼs a heist movie that is completely original.
How did the project come about?
Iʼd met some people here in Chicago that were doing something extremely similar to what these characters in the movie do. I took some creative licenses and ran with it. First we took it to Sundance where it won a competition and a lot of studios wanted to buy it but they wouldnʼt let me direct… I told them that I wasnʼt going to sell if I couldnʼt direct. Then I found two producers — Sean Kaplan and Byron Wetzel — who could make it without the studio system and we did.
What was it like working with Patrick, Michael and Alex?
This was Patrickʼs first big lead in an independent film this size and he was fantastic. Patrick really transformed himself into a realistic nerdy character — not something over the top, but something that felt relatable. Heʼs a pretty good looking guy so that was really important to the story. In the third act his performance speaks for itself.
Shannon looks at himself as a “tool of the director”. What more could you ask for? He never turns in a bad performance and he had the patience with me as a first timer to let me make mistakes. That level of support means everything. He would always be willing to do one more, even if it was 4am and weʼd been there 14 hours. That helps me sleep better at night knowing that my actors are always willing to do one more take.
For Alex, itʼs only a matter of time until he makes a comeback. His communication skills and decisions as an actor almost take your breath away. The camera loves him in a way Iʼve never seen it love any actor.
If you could describe Echo Boomers in one word, what would it be? And why?
Explosive. — This film has a very particular style that audiences love & itʼs really infectious. Donʼt take it too seriously and itʼll be your favorite film that came out during quarantine.
One we ask everyone at Movie Met, what’s your favourite film?
Either Damien Chazelleʼs Whiplash or Spike Jonzeʼs Her, they are both masterpieces.
And another, what’s your favourite cinema snack?
I actually consider myself a popcorn connoisseur. Orville Rendbacher, if you are reading this, we should do a collaboration.
If you could direct any big blockbuster movie, which would it be and why?
That is a great question — Iʼd love to do a Star Wars movie that felt like a high level indie. Something much grittier than weʼve seen so far. There is a side to the Star Wars brand that they havenʼt tapped into yet. Iʼd love to make a Star Wars piece with an actor like Shannon, where he works for the Galactic Empire as a run of the mill every day worker on a poor planet. Start to humanize both sides a little more.
Who do you look up to in the directing world? Do you have any inspirations?
You know it changes periodically but right now — Todd Phillips is who I really look up to as a director. His movies have a comedy to them that are still taken seriously which I think is masterful.
For anyone looking to get into film directing, what advice could you give them?
My number one piece of advice is get a digital video camera and shoot as much as possible. Family vacation? Take your camera and shoot as much as possible. The more you shoot, the more you find your voice. The more you find what type of shots you like and donʼt like. Taking the time focus on your craft, even in a small way, is everything. Scorsese has become Scorsese because heʼs put in the most hours.
How can people watch Echo Boomers around the world?
If you are in the US, Echo boomers is the front page of Roku for the next year. In South America itʼs on Google Play & Youtube Rentals. In Europe weʼre on Amazon, iTunes, Sky and Google Play.
Do you have any projects lined up, and can you tell us anything about them?
Iʼm going to do a limited series next called The Merc. Itʼs about Chicago traders in the 80s and how they cheated the system for years. The series will be like if The Sopranos and the The Big Short had a baby — thatʼs what is on the horizon.
I’d like to thank Seth for taking the time out of his busy schedule to chat with us at Movie Met. If you like what we do, be sure to check out our Patreon, we appreciate any and all support, and the rest of our interview collection.
Impressive