5Q's w/Luann Nicosia "We Can't Die" Director
#1. Can you describe your movie and why somebody should see it in less than 140 characters
We Can’t Die is about a down and out screenwriter who, after losing hope, makes a decision to give up on his dreams.
2. What do you want the audience to know about your film that isn’t obvious from the title?
The concept of this story came to me as I was driving to LA one night. I was pretty much feeling like the screenwriter in this story. I was thinking of giving up on my stories and began to ponder all the screenplays and characters swirling around in my mind. Momentarily I visualized them all as real people and became sentimental that they would never come to life on the big screen. I had a realization that night that giving up on them was the same as letting them die….thus the birth of this film We Can’t Die. A bit of trivia lastly is about my character “ Rupert Remeard” whose last name is DREAMER spelled backwards, because after all you have to be a dreamer to be a filmmaker!
3. What is your movie making background? Tell us about yourself.
I’ve been writing for the past 7 years. I decided I wanted to try my hand at directing a short I had written. My daughter and I had done acting over the past 10 years. While on set I would watch, listen, and learn for many hours. From what I could see being a director was a combination of multitasking, making stressful fast paced decisions, and being a peacemaker for many personalities! For 10 years prior I was a police 911 dispatcher which definitely helped me to sharpen those skills. My 26 yr old daughter has taken film and project management, so as a team we were able together start a small production company and create this film. I’m grateful also to have found a wonderfully talented cast and crew who helped us more than words can express.
4. What was the biggest lesson learned in getting your film made?
I learned so many things making this film it is hard to narrow it down to one….but if I had to choose I would say surround yourself with talented, intelligent, good hearted, passionate team players and if you do this there is really no circumstance or problem that you can’t solve together during this adventure of making a film. I was so blessed to have had this and I can’t thank my cast, crew, and my daughter who was also my line producer for all their hard work on this film! They really became my “We Can’t Die” family and will all have a special place in my heart always.
5. What does the future hold for your film and you?
Every story I write and direct I want to have a purpose. My hope is that our films inspire. I want to believe that each viewer takes a little something home in their heart from it. We Can’t Die is encouragement to never give up on the dreams and purposes that God has put in your heart. So far we have had really good feedback on our story and a recurring request is that they want to see more of the characters and were sad to see it end so quickly. With this in mind maybe a feature full length version of We Can’t Die might be in the future if financing becomes available. We also have a feature in development called “ Just to Remember” that is somewhat of a supernatural war movie and is meant to bring hope and purpose to soldiers struggling with PTSD. We are excited for what the future holds and plan to keep on dreaming until they come true!
