'The Self-Isolated Artist' Series: Toronto profile of film maker Chris Di Staulo
Interview compiled by Joe Szekeres, Chief Toronto Critic
What is it about the word ‘adjudication’ which showcases conflicting emotions in some non-professional stage actors and crew?
Granted, I have been there both as an actor and director when an adjudicator saw productions in which I participated. I can only speak from personal experiences but, yes, I felt those butterflies in the stomach as did some of the actors and directors whom I saw and with whom I worked over the years.
Why did we feel like this? Because we were entered into a festival/competition and, for some unexplained reason, there is this expectation that a non-professional/community theatre production must be perfect. Whoa, whoa, whoa! The adjudication process is a chance to learn from someone who has had experience in the specific field, and we seem to have forgotten this fact.
During the last adjudication in which I was involved with now defunct Theatre Ontario it finally sunk into me that, sometimes, the adjudicator can also learn from the production.
And I owe this epiphany to Chris Di Staulo, who was a Theatre Ontario adjudicator in training with the last show I directed two years ago. I can recall with clarity that not only was he knowledgeable in his assessment of the production, but also he was highly complimentary in seeing how moving the production was given the fact that the physical resources of the playing space were limited when he walked the stage after.
Chris and I have kept up communication these last two years as I continue to learn a great deal from him about the media of theatre and film. Our interview was conducted both via telephone and email:
1. How has your immediate family been coping? How have you been doing?
It was certainly an adjustment, as I'm sure it was for all of us, to acclimate to the self-isolation and quarantine lifestyle. The lack of structure in my daily routine, paired with the limitation of goods and services has been difficult, but I am trying to remain optimistic during this strange time. I benefit from a more structured lifestyle, and I am more actively ensuring that I input my new structure into my calendar. My immediate family has been good, all things considered, despite getting a little squirrely from their now sedentary existence. My Father and sister have been working from their home.
2.. What have you been doing to keep yourself occupied and busy during this period?
I'm trying to spin this otherwise difficult situation (as all the production companies and studios are shut down) into an opportunity to create an arsenal of work so that once the quarantine has been lifted, I can hit the ground running with a collection of scripts to pitch, as well as the continuation of a feature-length rockumentary about the band "Moby Grape." Rolling Stone Magazine hailed them as "The next Beatles." I'm grateful that I have a close relationship with my agent, Alex Rozanec, of TrePalm Films and Entertainment (www.TrePalm.com). We've been collaborating on a few feature film scripts, and are in pre-production on the rockumentary.
3. Were you involved in any pre-production of film work or were you currently filming when all of us had to go into quarantine? What has become of that/those project(s)?
The rockumentary comes to mind as we are deep into pre-production. Although the project is moving forward, we aren't able to progress as expediently as we'd like with meetings with production companies/investors, in-person chats with crew we're interested in hiring, and the various minutiae of budgeting, contracts, and so forth. I also have a couple commercials and music videos I am slated to direct which have been delayed until safe to shoot.
4. What has been the most difficult for you during this crisis?
The factor that has been most difficult for me during this crisis has certainly been a lack of face-to-face communication. I am not of the generation that is satiated by texting, messaging, e-mailing, and so on. I am craving human interaction with family, friends and work colleagues, and that has certainly been the most difficult aspect for me.
5. Do you have any words of wisdom or sage advice to young actors/filmmakers who have been affected by this crisis and are undergoing any struggles or hardships?
Use this time to sharpen your acting/filmmaking skills. I believe Adobe Creative Suite is offering a large discount off of their programs, so filmmakers can use this time to learn editing, visual effects production, etc. This is also an excellent time to write your own short films. As for actors, I recommend watching and analyzing films; Netflix, Prime, and Crave, etc. are all great resources to watch content and figure out what makes a good performance. Think about your strengths: Are you a leading man/woman? A character actor? Additionally, Sir Michael Caine teaches an extraordinarily useful masterclass on acting in film that every young actor should watch. It's available online for free on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZPLVDwEr7Y And if you enjoyed it, consider purchasing his book "Acting in Film".
6. Do you see anything positive coming out of this crisis?
As far as the film industry goes, not really. As I previously mentioned, all productions have been shut down until further notice. I'll be curious to see how many TV shows will recover from the pandemic of COVID-19. To speak speculatively, budgets will naturally be of concern. With that said, the Toronto film industry was booming beforehand, and I'm sure that the television realm will recover; I'm just not sure when.
7. Will the face of the performing arts scene be changed or affected/effected at all on account of this pandemic?
Aside from my thoughts from the previous question and, considering that film and television is something that you can consume at home, I don't see there being much of a change as to how productions will be shot, nor do I see a change in how it will be viewed by audiences. In terms of live performance, I've seen a cool movement where live performances are being streamed online. Now, while I think this is a great temporary fix, I think many will agree that it simply does not replace the intimacy of sitting in the same theatre as the actors/dancers/etc. There is something palpable about it; the energy of the room, the closeness to the performers on stage packs more of a punch. Ultimately, I believe it's a strong fix for now.
8. What is it about film making that you specifically adore/admire/respect?
As someone who loves storytelling I adore the medium of film making because, not only is it a great way to tell stories, but it incorporates all forms of media into one: visual art, music, dance/physicality/blocking, performance, graphic design.... the list goes on. It's the amalgamation of all these elements in to one which I admire the most.
As a nod to ‘Inside the Actors Studio’ and the late James Lipton, here are the ten questions he used to ask his guests:
1. What is your favourite word? Trust.
2. What is your least favourite word? Rut.
3. What turns you on? Challenge.
4. What turns you off? Apathy.
5. What sound or noise do you love? Laughter.
6. What sound or noise bothers you? Vomiting.
7. What is your favourite curse word? Horse shit.
8. What profession, other than your own, would you have liked to attempt? Musical theatre performer.
9. What profession would you not like to do? Wet nurse.
10. If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates? “Good enough - come on in.”
For more information about Chris Di Staulo, visit www.chrisdistaulo.com.
Photo of Chris behind the camera by Jack Yan Chen. www.jackyanchen.com.