Arastao Maree   White Sheets & The Wet Squirrel

I saw the short White Sheets Don't Stain at a short film showcase. In a sea of serious films, his was seriously funny and actually had more of a message and an impact than some of the more dramatic pieces. So when I decided to add this feature to my site, he was the first person I thought of interviewing. Arastao Maree has a very eclectic and diverse background. He's done just a little bit of everything from training with the Joffrey ballet to working as a stand-up comic to working as a cinematographer for Harpo Productions (that's Oprah's company). I knew he'd be an interesting interview and he certainly didn't dissappoint. 1. How did you come up with the concept for White Sheets Don't Stain? Well, after a long night of drinking, I woke up and found... Oh the movie!!...sorry...The concept for White Sheets came from a conversation with one of my buddies about racism/hate and how it's still prevalent in todays society, but unlike the past, people are a little more incognito about being upfront about it. I was telling him how one of my best friend's girlfriend's grandfather, talk about six degrees of seperation, was the imperial wizard of a state, which I dare not mention, and we just started riffing on how interesting and humorous it would be if the most world-renowned hate group had a revelation as to the source of their hate. The Ku Klux Klan was basically a metaphor for hate and their actions within the film were to portray that if they can grow and learn from their insecurities and mistakes, why can't we? 2. What is the benefit of doing a short film? Has the success of White Sheets (it won the Best Comedy Short Award at the New York Independent International Film & Video Festival) opened any doors for you? I look at shorts as excercises. They give filmmakers the opportunity to work precisely, and to communicate simple or complex thoughts within a limited period of time. With that skill you really learn how to chew off the fat, and get to the point while keeping the integrity of your theme or message. The major door that has been opened is the domestic distribution we've acquired since the winning of the 'Best Comedy Short' Award. Currently, the film is available at Blockbuster Online, Neflix, and at your local Borders Bookstore. If it isn't there just ask them to order a copy and it should arrive within two weeks. Oh, the title of the product is White Sheets Don't Stain & Food, White Sheets was partnered with the very funny 'featurette Food which was produced by Part Of. How do you like that plug? Other than that I've been fortunate to work on a few commercial campaigns including the one I'm working on now for Sony Playstation. 3. Tell me about your next project, The Wet Squirrel? Ha, Ha, The Wet Squirrel. I'm sure the imagination is going wild as to what the hell that's about. I can't really say too much about it except it's a film that deals with lust... in a Strip Club... it's funny, and I'm in the final stages of story development. The next step is to obtain funding and for this one I would enjoy having a few named actors in it. I actually wrote in cameo's for celebrities, you know, like Billy Bob Thornton and Steve Buscemi or whoever would like to jump onto this fun ride in a titty bar. 4. You tackle some seriously thought-provoking themes in your films and you do it with humor. Do you think that a light approach makes it easier to tackle such heavy subject matter? Of course, people have a hard time dealing with their mistakes and faults so by sprinkling humor into a picture it allows you to talk about subjects that are taboo, while attracting audiences that you wouldn't normally get due to the subject matter. That's actually, how and why I created the genre I call a 'split-comedy'. When you watch my pictures, they can either come off as being serious/dramatic or funny. It depends on what you are ready to handle/deal with at the time. It always cracks me up when I watch audiences view my work. We can all be looking at the same moment, but there are extreme variances in the emotional reaction. I could be laughing hysterically about it, while one row down someone is crying, and way in the back of the theatre next to the two teenagers necking someone could be utterly disgusted by the moment. The moment in the movie and/or I guess the teenagers necking. Either way, I think my ultimate goal is tear audiences apart during a story and see if I can bring them to the same destination. I think that would be the ultimate film. 5. Sometimes it seems as if everyone (at least in L.A.) is a filmmaker. They are either writing, directing or producing something. What separates those who actually walk the walk and complete projects from those who just talk the talk and never seem to get out of the starting gate? The one's who complete projects want to complete projects. The one's that don't, they're here for, god knows what, but it's not filmmaking. I also believe you gotta be in the filmmaking business for the long haul, or else your gonna fizzle your ass outta the business and end up right back in Idaho. Sorry, for my people in Idaho. They are always the catalyst in examples like these. Let's change that, fizzle your ass outta the business and end up right back in Puerto Rico. 6. What is the best thing about black film today in 2006? Color Correction is so much easier. Now let me explain, by segregating artists and art by color, sex, culture, and religion we are no better than anyone else who practices seperatism. I think the best thing about film today in 2006 is its accessiblity to almost anyone. People go to see a Spielberg film because he made it, not because he's Jewish and white and has bunch a children that he adopted from different cultures. Film is about the idea not about the background of the person who made it.Its time to stop feeling opressed and realize that all people are equals and that we will make a change and have a better world. And that's everyone's responsibility. 7. What is the worst thing about black film in 2006? I think I sort of answered that within the last question. 8. Since remakes are all the rage, is there a movie you'd like to remake and if so, what would you do differently? This is a 180 from the last few questions. If I were to do a remake? Undoubtedly, without question, it would be Flash Gordon. That was by far my favorite sci-fi flick from my childhood. I love the campy style of the dialogue and the almost stage-like feel of the production design and acting. Yeah, it was corny, but what greater accomplishment could a man have than to save his home, planet Earth. The major difference in my version would be in the special effects. I've been working a lot with video games and CG and developing a strong eye for the work. The advancements in motion capture have allowed the imagination to explode into a new dimension of characters, which Peter Jackson has so masterfully proven. As far as the story, I would focus more on Flash's struggle to find the hero within. Quite honestly, this would be the only remake I would want to do. Yeah, Flash deserves an upgrade. 9. Let's flash forward to the Academy Awards in the year 2050. You are there to receive a lifetime achievement award. What would you like your body of work to say about you? Considering I'll be about seventy-six and full of life with an army of wives. I'd like my work to say, he's a much better man than he was fifty years ago, and I hope there's filmmaking in the afterlife 'cuz the learning has just begun. 10. Any parting thoughts? No.... Just Kidding. I just want to thank all the people who have helped me get to where I am. I know its just the beginning of my career, but I'm grateful for the things that I've achieved thus far. I'd especially like to thank Part Of who helped me produce my first film and have been very influential in my growth as a film maker. You guys should check out some of things they're doing. They're website is www.partof.com. If anyone would like to get a hold of me, talk business, and maybe work together they can contact me by email at: moshun777@aol.com. And finally, Thank you Karyn for this wonderful opportunity. This was very enjoyable and I look forward to seeing the growth of your career and DivaSoulSista.