Warner Bros agreed to develop the cinema project of the Romanian – born American Stephan Zlotescu, specialist in visual effects. It is True Skin – 6 minute short film about a future world where people complete their bodies with robotic parts or implants. The new project will be a feature film directed by Stephan Zlotescu and produced by Christopher Sewall and David Heyman (producer of Harry Potter).
Stephan Zlotescu made videos for Kanye West, Lady Gaga and Nikki Minaj.
Daniel Todoran-Rares: The Romanian press says that you are a Romanian-born American filmmaker, is this true?
Stephan Zlotescu: Yes, I came to the US when I was a year old.
Daniel Todoran-Rares: Do you know Romanian language?
Stephan Zlotescu: Pretty good at speaking! Not great at reading or writing.
Daniel Todoran-Rares: Tell me about your family. How did you get in America?
Stephan Zlotescu: My uncle fled the country and brought us over.
Daniel Todoran-Rares: How did your parents in the U.S.? What do they do?
Stephan Zlotescu: Dad is an architect and mom is Elena zlotescu. You can look her up.
Daniel Todoran-Rares: When did you start doing visual effects?
Stephan Zlotescu: 2nd year of undergrad College.
Daniel Todoran-Rares: I understand that you have made a video for Lady Gaga. Which one?
Stephan Zlotescu: I was a visual effects art director for „Video phone” which had Lady Gaga and Beyonce in it and directed by Hype Williams.
Daniel Todoran-Rares: What do you like more to do? Videos or movies?
Stephan Zlotescu: Movies.
Daniel Todoran-Rares: Your short film, True Skin, warned the American film industry. Will be this project transform into a movie?
Stephan Zlotescu: Yes, Warner brothers bought the rights to make it. I am attached as director.
Daniel Todoran-Rares: Who showed interest in Hollywood to produce it?
Stephan Zlotescu: Heyday films. Same production company from the Harry Potter films.
Daniel Todoran-Rares: What stage you are with this project?
Stephan Zlotescu: Script writing stage.
Daniel Todoran-Rares: What are you working now?
Stephan Zlotescu: A few features which are in various stages of development.
Daniel Todoran-Rares: Who will perform in the film True Skin?
Stephan Zlotescu: No actors have been selected yet.
Daniel Todoran-Rares: When are you start filming?
Stephan Zlotescu: Probably 2014.
Daniel Todoran-Rares: How much money is needed for this film? What is the budget allocated by the studio?
Stephan Zlotescu: First the script needs to be written before a budget will be created.
Daniel Todoran-Rares: Who will make the visual effects in the movie?
Stephan Zlotescu: Too early to tell. I would prefer to work with teams I have before.
Daniel Todoran-Rares: Will you work with a known visual effects studio?
Stephan Zlotescu: Warner Brothers calls the shots so we will see what they decide.
Daniel Todoran-Rares: Do you know anything about Romania and Romanian cinema?
Stephan Zlotescu: I have seen a few modern films, but I would like to see films that are more internationally marketable. Maybe an action film or a sci fi fantasy. Lets make movies creative and fun if you know what I mean. I know we have quite a few older ones from Ion Popescu, but lets get some new ones in the mix.
Daniel Todoran-Rares: Do You mean Romanian director Ion Popescu Gopo?
Stephan Zlotescu: I hope so. I would love to see some crazy shit come out of our new film makers Correct me if I’m wrong, maybe something has come out that I am not aware of. Until I see a crazy alien monster running down Bulevardul Magheru, I stand by my statement.
Daniel Todoran-Rares: What Romanian films have you seen?
Stephan Zlotescu: 12:08 East of Bucharest, 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days, The Death of Mr. Lazarescu….Some student shorts I don’t remember the names of.
Daniel Todoran-Rares: Returning to your projects, will you do other films and videos this year?
Stephan Zlotescu: It would be sad if I didn’t.
Daniel Todoran-Rares: Do you like animated movies?
Stephan Zlotescu: I do to a certain extent. My favorite is Akira.
Daniel Todoran-Rares: Do you see yourself working in productions of an animated film?
Stephan Zlotescu: Not likely, but you never know.
Daniel Todoran-Rares: What do you think about visual effects Academy Award nominees?
Stephan Zlotescu: I liked „Life of Pi”. I thought some of the visuals were quite impressive. I think that was nominated and if it wasn’t, they better take a second look.
