Although this year’s Miami Gay & Lesbian Film Festival in Miami is winding down, the highlight is still to come. Going Down In LA-LA Land, directed by Casper Andreas, closes the festival on Sunday, May 1. Recognizing actors on the silver screen for their good looks and beaming personalities has become the norm, but let’s not forget the eyes, ears and overall brains of the film—the one who carries the torch across the finish line. The director tells the story and handles much if not all of the behind-the-scenes action, which is often overshadowed by the glitz and glamour of a the movie’s stars. Director Casper Andreas recently opened up to Mark’s List about his new film’s debut, working with actor Matthew Ludwinski and the cost of making it in Hollywood.

How does it feel to have Going Down in LA-LA Land as the final night feature at the MGLFF? Will you be making an appearance?

I'm thrilled! This is my third time having a feature playing the Miami Gay Film Festival, but it's the first for me to be the closing night film. I am coming down from New York for the festival and I'm super excited. The last time I attended was with the world premiere of my comedy, A Four Letter Word, in 2007, and that festival weekend was one of my favorite ones ever. 

How did you decide which elements and story lines to take from the novel by Andy Zeffer?  After reviewing the film, do you think you left anything out?

I left out a lot that was in the book. The script went through several stages and for every new draft I probably took more out to keep the story moving. I wasn't too concerned about it because the novel is a story in itself and it will still always be there. The film is based on the book but it's its own thing. What I found most interesting about Andy Zeffer's novel was all the different ways the characters justify the outrageous things they do in order to achieve fame and fortune. I really wanted to explore that journey. How does someone end up compromising themselves in so many different ways, as these characters do? I think it was especially interesting to me because of the crazy fame-fixated culture we live in today. 

What kind of reception are you expecting from the film?

I really like the film myself, and I think and hope that most people who come to the screening will enjoy it as well. The main characters, Adam and Candy, have so many flaws but yet they are very endearing, so I think everyone will feel for and care for them. And though the film gets pretty dark at times, it still has a lot of comedy, so I expect a lot of laughter—and hopefully a tear or two. 

How much did you consult author Andy Zeffer when developing the script?

Originally Andy wanted us to write the screenplay together. I, however, really wanted to do my take on the story so I wasn't really interested in a joint venture. Andy wrote the novel and that is his story. For me to be interested in making the film, I had to make it mine. The script is based on the novel, but it also had a lot of myself in it. Like Adam, I also pursued stardom in LA for a few years, and like Adam I also had a zany female roommate for a while who was constantly looking for men to take care of and support her. So I could really relate to a lot of things in the novel and I thought it was a great story. But I knew it would be a struggle to convince Andy about the changes I wanted to make and I thought if we wrote it together, it would lead to a lot of compromises that neither of us would be happy with. So I had to convince him to let me write the script on my own. I did let Andy read it, though, and give me feedback on it. And he had many great suggestions that I incorporated. I do believe that he will enjoy and be pleased with the finished film. 

  (Below) Casper with actors Matthew Ludwinski (Adam) & Allison Lane (Candy)

What do you feel is the most important aspect of the story? What are you hoping your audience takes away from the film?

Again, what interested me the most was how someone goes from being a sweet, innocent regular guy (with some big dreams) to selling sex and making porn. That was something I didn't really feel was explained very well in the novel. In the book “Adam” says right away, "Sure I'll shoot a solo video. What's the big deal?" In the film, I want to take the audience on that journey with him and my hope is that they will understand and see why he does the things he does even though most people probably wouldn't think of doing them in a million years. Ultimately though, the film is a love story and deals with what is most important in life—love and being true to who you are versus fame and success? I think those are questions most people have to answer for themselves at different times and in different situations, so hopefully the film will give them something to think about. 

Was Matthew Ludwinski your first choice to play “Adam”?

He was my first choice in the sense that he was the first and only person I offered the role to. It took me a while to be certain that he was the right actor for the role. I had known Matthew for a couple of years, ever since I auditioned him for one of the leads in my drama Between Love & Goodbye. He ended up doing a small role in that film and we stayed in touch ever since. Matthew knew I was making this film so he kept checking in with me and he was the first person I read for the role. Once we started casting in earnest, however, I felt that I should see who else is out there and I auditioned quite a few actors in LA for the role. A lot of the really hot young actors in LA would have nothing to do with it though, since the character is not only gay, but the role also calls for both nudity and sex scenes. In the end I offered Matthew the role and we flew him out from New York City for the shoot. In retrospect I wish I had saved myself the trouble of auditioning others and just given him the role right away. He is so perfect for it in every way, and I couldn't be happier with what he brought to it. Plus, he is the sweetest guy even and so easy to work with. 

Do you think what happens in the film happens frequently when “newbies” go to Hollywood? Have you heard any scandalous stories about the "casting couch"?

There are so many sleazy characters everywhere who take advantage of young people's hopes and dreams. It certainly happens in LA and in New York, but also in smaller towns. Everyone with dreams of making it big are easy prey for anyone who says they can help get them started. I know people who did sell themselves out without getting any of the things they had hoped to get out of it.  I know people who had some success with it though. I also know people my age or older who now say they wish they would have gone for it when they had the chance. Who knows what it could have lead to, right? Then you hear about stars all the time who supposedly slept with the right people to get there.  I had an acting teacher who said that these days you can't sleep your way to the top in Hollywood. You can sleep your way to the middle, but to get to the top, you have to have real talent. There is too much money at stake for anyone to give a starring role in a Hollywood movie to somebody just because they happen to be sleeping with them. 

(Below) Casper as "Nick" in Going Down in LA-LA Land

As an independent film with a gay theme, was it difficult to make this movie?  When do you think Hollywood will come around to supporting more “gay” films?

Well this is my sixth independent film with a gay theme and since I've had some successes in the past it wasn't that hard for me to get the funding and get it going. But the budget is quite modest. So what was difficult for me this time was to stick to that budget as the film also is my most ambitious project, in terms of what I wanted to do with it. 

I think "Hollywood" will come around and support more gay films when everyone goes and sees them just like they would any other movie. Until that happens (and I don't think it ever really will), I think it's hard to expect anyone to put millions of dollars into a film that mostly will interest a niche market. If I had $50 million dollars to spend on a film, I don't see myself making a film catered to the gay audience. It's tough enough to make the money back on a $200,000 film as the support is just not there. 

Do you think “gay movies” carry a negative connotation and do not get the attention they deserve?

People often complain that gay films have such low production values. A lot of them do, of course, but one can't compare a film made for $200,000 to a $50 million dollar film and expect them to look equally good. That is precisely what people do though. I try to squeeze as much as possible out of every production dollar and I often have people tell me that they can't believe how low my budgets are, that the films looks so much more expensive, etc. Still they are not going to look like a big budget Hollywood movie. What I think people should look for though are great stories. And gay films do something that no mainstream films do—they tell stories about us: about our lives, our joys and our struggles. With my films I don't worry about what a "mainstream" audience may or may not think. The films I've made so far have told stories about gay people for gay people. If you are interested in seeing that then please check them out—and not by downloading them illegally off some site in Russia. 

What are some of your upcoming projects?

I'm super busy right now with finishing up this film and getting it out there, I'm also about to release my last feature film, the comedy "Violet Tendencies" (starring Mindy Cohn from The Facts of Life), about a straight woman and all of her gay friends, on DVD May 24. So in terms of upcoming projects, I'm not looking to produce anything else right now. I feel I need a break from producing. Instead I'm planning to take some time to write and also to pursue getting hired for acting and directing jobs. I am actually attached to direct a wonderful script called "Over the Rainbow," so assuming the producers get it off the ground, I will hopefully be directing that later this year. 

More about the film:

www.facebook.com/goingdowninlalaland