5Q's w/Erik Kochenberger "Rosie" Director

#1: Can you describe your movie and why somebody should see it in less than 140 characters?

A woman desperately seeks an end to her suffering but is stopped at the last moment by a passing stranger. They form a deep bond with one another through the experience and struggle with their inability to save and be saved.

#2: What do you want the Borrego Springs Film Festival audience to know about your film that isn’t obvious from its title?

The Borrego Springs Film Festival audience should know that "Rosie" isn't much of a rosy film at all. It is based on the actual events that happened in my life at the 86th St. 6-train stop in NYC. The subject matter is heavy, but it's secretly a love story. My intent in making this film was to give an ode to Rosie. So people will know her name, her story, and how beautiful and touching my time spent with her was.

#3: What is your movie making background? Tell us about yourself.

My movie-making career began when my cousins and I shot our own Abbot and Costello spoof in the basement at around age 7. Throughout my childhood, I continued to shoot parodies and sketches with friends. When I graduated high school I shipped off to NYC to attend NYU's Tisch School of the Arts Acting program. My path led me to Acting, but creating my own work was still in the back of my mind. Rosie is my writing and directorial debut.

#4: What was the biggest lesson learned in getting your film made?

The biggest lesson I learned during the making of this film is to get comfortable working on the fly when everything inevitably goes to shit. One example, we had an early morning shoot starting at 5:00 am, and when we showed up at the location we discovered we would no longer be able to shoot there due to unforeseen circumstances. Rescheduling was not an option as there was no budget to pay for an extra day of shooting. It was demoralizing, but thankfully I surrounded myself with an excellent team. We rearranged the whole day in a matter of minutes, and a single producer set off into Brooklyn promising that she would do the impossible and find an alternative location with no notice. We pressed forward trusting that it had to work out or the whole film could fall apart. We kept our cool, and we had faith. She came through and we got everything we needed. It wasn't ideal, but we all kept our heads. In the end, we made a film that we are proud of.

#5: What does the future hold for your film and you?

The future is bright! We will continue submitting Rosie to festivals, but it lives online as well for any and all to see. My career as an actor has been going well. I recently booked my first Guest Supporting role on CBS's FBI: Most Wanted. I also continue to write, and as soon as I finish something I think is right I will be looking to return to behind the camera.