report

1st, the Q & A with Renee, a strikingly handsome lady from L.A. who has lived here in Japan.

When asked how did it come about that she made a film about Katy?

A: Well, it seems she was walking around a track 1 day for exercise and for therapeutic value (she was actually complaining about what a tough & miserable life she had) when a figure in 2 false legs whizzed by her in an effortless & graceful way. She immediately was taken in her by this figure who turned out to be Katy Sullivan.

When asked what she was most careful of or mindful of when she was filming this story?

A: One thing was she wanted to accurately portray Katy not only as a person but also as an athlete. So she made sure she showed Katy's preparations for running "step by step" from the very start. By the way, actual time taken to film Katy's running scenes was 3 hours!

Renee told us one of the aims of making this movie is to raise funds for Katy so she can got to the Summer Para-Olympics in Beijing, China! Go Katy & way to go Renee.

Next up Nathalie Suageon for "Son of Avenger", a boy & his super-hero father.

When asked how she got her idea?

A: Nathalie writes for the stage in France & one day a 10 year girl actress asked her to write a "1 woman" play for her. When talking to her, the girl would proudly talk of her father. Nathalie realized that young kids will always put their parents on a pedestal & defend them even if the parents are not all that great. After finishing the play, Nathalie realized that this would work well for a boy & as a movie.

How did she film the father "flying" through the streets?

A: Well, of course she didn't have much of a budget so she simply had the actor ride on top of a truck & she cleverly used angles to make the image of a person flying. (This actually works well with the storyline as well!)

These were 2 very sure-handed women who's directing careers are off & running with a great start!

DJ John