EXCLUSIVE!! CHARLES CASILLO INTERVIEW ON JOAN & FETISH EXCLUSIVE!!

FRANCESCA FURGETS HER TROUBLES WITH THE HELP OF DARIUS!

FETISH POSTER

CHARLES COMES FACE TO FACE WITH AN OLD FRIEND AT THE LA SHORTS FEST

To coincide with the exciting news that Joan has won best actress for her role in "Fetish" at last nights awards gala at the New York City International Festival, here is another chance to read this exclusive interview with Charles Casillo, who as well as writing the screenplay for "Fetish", he is also Joan's co-star in the independent film, directed by Matthew.J.Pellowski. ,
Charles! I am really looking forward to seeing "Fetish", can you give us an idea of what to expect?

JOAN & CHARLES ON SET FILMING CHAT SHOW SCENE WITH DIRECTOR MATTHEW.J.PELLOWSKI

C.C." It is a dark comedy about a legendary actress on the skids, who is a constant target of bad press, always in the tabloids and is trying to redefine her image for a comeback. She appears on a late night talk show, where she becomes "cozy" with the host in a bid for a comeback. Joan herself described the screenplay as a cross between "Sunset Blvd meets "David Letterman" via "The Twilight Zone"!"
It sounds fabulous Charles, when you were writing the screenplay did you have Joan in mind for the role of Francesca Vonn?

CHARLES & JOAN ...

C.C.." I wasn't thinking of any actress in particular for the part, while I was writing the role. The character is really a composite of all those kooky actresses today, you read and hear about...addicted to drugs and alcohol and plagued by one scandal after another and who are known more for their personal lives, than their current movie careers. Once the script was finished, I knew it would take a special actress who could be very comical and over-the-top one moment and subtle, tragic and vulnerable the next..yet maintaining a glamorous charisma throughout. I immediately thought of Joan! There is really no actress today that equals her when it comes to combining classic Hollywood glamour and beauty with a contemporary hip and sexy personality."
Charles, yes I agree, there is very few actresses like Joan!
C.C .. "My producer Kelvin Dale and I put together a short list of five actresses, we thought would be right for the part, as knowing Hollywood as I do, we were not sure who would be available. But Joan was on top of the list and as soon as she expressed an interest, I immediately knew I need look no further! Now that the film is complete, we cant imagine anyone else in the part!"
Charles, you also are a best selling author with "The Fame Game" and "The Marilyn Diaries", had Joan read your books?

ON SET OF FETISH

C.C..." Before I met her in Los Angeles, I sent her a copy of "The Fame Game" along with the "Fetish" script. She was in the middle of reading "The Fame Game", when I met her for lunch to discuss her appearing in "Fetish". One of the first things she said to me as we slid into the booth at the restaurant is "I am enjoying your novel!" So when we met again the following week in New York, to meet with the director, I gave her a signed copy of "The Marilyn Diaries", which she read over the holidays, before we began shooting "Fetish"."

JOAN as FRANCESCA with CHARLES as DARIUS IN FETISH

Charles, I loved your novels and I wondered what you have in mind for your next project, be it another novel or a screenplay?
C.C..." Now that I've been bitten by the film bug, I really want the next part of my career to be all about making movies. I want to write and act. So for the time being, I have put my book career on the back burner. I am working on a script for Lindsay Lohan, which I hope will get her career back on track. I then plan to write a screenplay based on "The Fame Game", in fact Joan and I have talked about her taking a role in the film of "The Fame Game". Frankly Joan would be welcome to a part in all of my future films! She is a dream to work with and she adds value to any production.""
Charles, you are obviously a great admirer of Joan's, as I am, did you find it an awe inspiring experience working with such an icon?

CHARLES IS SHOULDER PAD TO SHOULDER PAD WITH JOAN!

C.C..." All the while we were in pre-production, I was on the phone with Joan quite a bit, talking about the character, the mood of the script, the wardrobe, the actual making of the movie. Then during rehearsals we were constantly exchanging ideas with the director, Matt Pellowski. So at first it was like working with any dedicated, passionate actress who is completely "into" the work. But I remember just before we shot our first scene together, we were rehearsing in her dressing room and I had a mini meltdown! I was like, "Oh My God! I am about to shoot a scene with THE JOAN COLLINS!"
I am a total movie buff, so it had a really deep emotional meaning for me. I said, "Gee, Joan! I'm a little nervous." I acted like an ass, actually! She immediately put me at ease. She said, "Nonsense." Once we began shooting the scene, which took place inside a limousine. I instantly got wrapped up in the intensity of working with her and it was marvelous!."
Charles, it can be nerve inducing just meeting your idols, let alone having to work with them. Now that the film has wrapped, what plans do you have for it?
C.C... "We are just in the beginning stages of entering it into the high profile film festivals all over the world.
Would love to see it at the London Film Festival! "

JOAN & CHARLES ON SET FETISH

Charles, I am sure with Joan as star, you will get plenty of publicity and much interest. I am so looking forward to seeing it, as is all the readers and we wish you as much success as possibly can be had with the film! Thank you Charles for sharing this interview with the blog!
The photo's shown are candid shots of Joan and Charles on set of "Fetish" and thanks to Charles for sharing these!
(c)   2010 ..   Mark McMorrow...