This is part of an ongoing series of interviews with the people behind In-World War. Filmmaking is a team sport; it takes a village to make a movie.
Orlando Mendoza plays the role of Dallas.
How would you describe In-World War (the film itself) in no more than seven words?
A great experience in DIY filmmaking.
What was your role on IWW and what did you do?
Dallas, a bounty hunter type of fellow. My partner and I are looking for the lead character.
Why did you get involved with it? How did you hear about it? What interested you about this film in particular?
I read the script and liked what I read. I believe it was either through SF casting or Craigslist that I heard about it.I especially liked how the lead character would change from person to person throughout the film.
Did you enjoy working on the film? What was the best part for you?
Yes, I did. The best part was being on the set and learning from the crew and actors. The experience I gained.
DIY filmmaking can be rough. What was the worst moment? If you have one, share a painful memory from making the film, to give a taste of how tough it got.
The worst, like every film is the waiting. I was even sent home after 8 hours of waiting for the scene I was in because it got too late to shoot. But at least I ate throughout the wait.
How long have you been working in film/involved with film?
Film and movies since 2007. Acting since 1997.
What is your goal in filmmaking generally (director, writer, director of photography, key grip, etc.) and why?
All of the above. I like the art of filmmaking, from in front of the camera to the back of the camera. My main goal now is to produce and direct. And of course, act.
In your view, why is filmmaking and making art important to society as a whole?
Its important because, it not only helps personal growth, discovery and experience. But, it also helps society's growth, discovery and experience.
Did helping make an indie film leave you with a positive or negative outlook on this type of ultra-low budget filmmaking (and why)?
It was a positive outlook. Nothing in life is easy and also in filmmaking.
How do you feel about the genre of science fiction? Is sci-fi just for fun or can we tell serious stories that are culturally relevant? (Okay, that’s a loaded question....but still, what do you think?)
I like science fiction. Both.
Before you started with IWW, what did you expect it to be like working on the film?
Like all projects I involve myself in, I expected it to be fun and professional.
How was it actually, compared to that? What was exactly as you expected it? What was very different?
IWW, was both, fun and professional. It was more than I expected. I learned much more than I thought it would be.
What did your experience of working on IWW tell you about humanity and people in general?
That we need to work on ourselves first, before we try to work on others.
What have you been doing since you worked on the film? What other film projects have you done?
I have continued to act in films and I have also produced, shot and edited two of my own short films. And will continue to continue.
Why should people get involved with, donate money and/or help out on IWW?
So it gives indie films such as IWW and opportunity to be seen worldwide.
What else would you like to say about your experience on IWW? Any funny anecdotes or behind the scenes stories?
It was a blast never to be forgotten. It was fun shooting a scene in a moving car with people in the trunk, with the camera all over the back seat, with the back seat taken out. Good times in filmmaking. Can’t wait to see the finished product.
To learn more about Orlando Mendoza's's other film work:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_ftss5Ogzg
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