By
GustavoLeao /
08:58, 18 January 2012 /
General Genre/SciFi
TrekWeb talks to actress Chase Masterson and director James Kerwin about their upcoming science fiction project, the movie titled R.U.R. Interview : Gustavo Leao
1- James, please tell us the genesis of the R.U.R. movie project.
 JK:
Even before I started work on "Yesterday Was a Lie," my writing partner
Andrew R. Deutsch and I had started developing the classic Czech play
"R.U.R." into a feature screenplay. I had studied the play in a college
lit course, and was even in a production of it in Dallas years ago. The
story always stuck with me: a play which Karel Capek started writing in
1919 -- set 50 years from then -- which predicted advances in
biotechnology and served as an inspiration for masterpieces like "Blade
Runner" and "Metropolis." "R.U.R." contains an important sociopolitical
message -- one which is as valid today as it was back in the early 20th
century -- and I was surprised that it had never been turned into a
proper feature film.
2- Aren't you afraid that people will try to compare it with Yesterday was a Lie which was such a huge critical success ?
JK:
I think Chase and I both are even more excited about the potential for
"R.U.R." than we were about "Yesterday." The project is still in the
script/development phase, so it's far from a sure thing -- yet. But if
and when it happens, it'll be a much more "commercial" film than
"Yesterday Was a Lie." Don't get me wrong -- I'm very proud of what we
did with "Yesterday," but it is -- and was always intended to be -- an
art film that would appeal to a certain niche audience. "R.U.R." is
designed for a much broader demographic. It's not as "heady" or
intellectual as "Yesterday" -- it follows a much more traditional
narrative structure -- but it's still a sharp, smart story and I think a
lot of people will enjoy our spin on it.
3-
I understand that you are developing a short film -- R.U.R.: Genesis --
to be released on the Internet as an introduction to the stylized world
you’re creating. Tell us about it.
JK:
Our version of "R.U.R." is pretty high-concept. We have a unique take
on the story which I think people will respond to. In a way, we're
creating a very visual, sexy world which you've never really seen
before. While we're in negotiations with financiers to make the feature
film, in the meantime we hope to introduce audiences to this reality by
creating a short film focusing on some of the story's ancillary
characters -- including the mysterious character of Sulla, played by
Chase Masterson.
4-
Chase, you have been associated with high-concept science fiction
projects in the past - namely Star Trek Deep Space Nine, Robotech and of
course, Yesterday Was a Lie. How different for you is R.U.R. ?
CM:
Stylistically, "R.U.R." is by far the most fun of any project I've ever
done -- and that's something that really counts for an audience. Of
course, "Star Trek" is in a class all by itself, but "R.U.R." is
definitely the most commercial film I've been involved in.Â
But
what really sets "R.U.R." apart from the vast majority of projects out
there is the brilliant combination of story and theme. Not many
filmmakers' work embodies both of those elements thoroughly, and James
accomplished it brilliantly with "Yesterday Was a Lie." It's funny that
"R.U.R." is much the same as Kerwin's first film, but different; whereas
you found shades of black and white and gray in the noir of "Yesterday
Was a Lie," the colors in the world he's creating for "R.U.R." are going
to practically pop off the screen. It's really sexy stuff.Â
But
as much fun as the concept of "R.U.R." is, it will really resonate with
our audiences in that the message is powerful, socially relevant, and
timely. It's a strong message, like those of "DS9" and "Yesterday Was a
Lie," and the fact that it's presented in such an enticing style is
going to be loads of fun for the audience. And for us.
5- You
were a producer and lead actress on "Yesterday Was a Lie." What
production role you will be taking on "R.U.R."? What can you tell us
about your role ?
CM: I'm happy to say that, at this point, I'm
not officially taking a production role at all. "Yesterday Was a Lie"
was a unique circumstance; the project needed a producer in a pinch, so I
stepped in. I received (and earned) sole produced by credit, and it was
very empowering, but it was a huge split in my life focus, and it's one
I'm not in a hurry to repeat.
If everything goes according to
plan, we'll have a much bigger budget and more experienced producers on
board to make "R.U.R." happen. That said, I'm definitely helping round
up elements where necessary, so I may end up with a producer credit of
some kind, but that's not my plan or goal at this point -- I'm focusing
on on-camera work again.
And the role of Sulla, which I play in
"R.U.R.," is a gem. She's smart and resourceful and crafty and cunning
-- oozing sex appeal at all times -- and entirely taken for granted
because of her status as a working class person.Â
Whereas this
film is set to be a highly conceptual, eye-candy-style piece of art,
there is a real backbone to it; it's a piece about classism, prejudice,
the plight of working people. In different ways at different times, the
role of Sulla emphasizes a throughline of conscience in the film, and
that's my favorite part about it. But it's hard to know where Sulla
stands at some points. She's mercurial...you never know quite what's up
her sleeve. And that's a challenging, very exciting element to get to
play onscreen.
6-
Chase and James, I understand that you guys are raising the money for
R.U.R. through crowdfunding; and chose IndieGoGo. Tell us about it and
tell us how Star Trek and science fiction fans can help this special
project.
CM: Thanks for asking! I've never before reached out to
my fan base to support a project in this way, but this project really
deserves to be made, and the fans will love it, so it's a win/win
situation for anyone who comes onboard to support.
And we have
various levels of support, including levels that receive producer
credits and even roles as extras in the piece, so you can be onset while
it all happens. It's going to be a great experience, and we're
committed to keeping our supporters posted on our progress. Especially
if you've never followed the making of a film from an insider's
standpoint, come onboard this team. It's a fascinating process, as well
as a great opportunity to help create a very quality piece of work with
filmmakers you'll want to say you knew "back when."
JK:Â We
chose IndieGoGo because our production company is a non-profit arts
foundation, and IndieGoGo allows contributors to take tax deductions if
they donate to the campaign through PayPal. That's an additional
incentive for people to donate. It's all outlined on the project's
IndieGoGo page: http://www.indiegogo.com/rur
7- Finally, what is you message to the fans about this project ?
CM:
I'm really looking forward to this as a collaborative effort. It's set
to be a piece that fans will be proud to be a part of: science fiction
with style and conscience. What could be better?
