DAVE HANSEN, DIRECTOR AND PRODUCER OF THE NICHOLAS LEA FILM 'SHOT IN THE FACE', WAS KIND ENOUGH TO ANSWER A FEW QUESTIONS REGARDING NICK AND THE FILM FOR THIS WEBSITE, HERE IT IS....
11TH JANUARY 2003.
Q: Hello Mr. Hansen, please could you tell us a bit about your career before Shot In The Face.
A: I directed many music videos and documentaies before I got a chance to direct Shot in the Face.
Q: For Shot In The Face, you directed and produced, did this bring any challenges to you that you hadn't faced before?
A: I was primarily concerned about directing because that was something as far as drama goes that I hadn't done before so I left much of the producing to my co-producer Stephen Onda who did a terrific job.
Q: Your brother Jaymie wrote the screenplay for the film, did you have any input on that?
A: He wrote the first few drafts but when you get into a shooting situation I think many people begin to have input in it including myself and the talented actors that came on board.
Q: You filmed Shot In The Face in your hometown of Regina, was this out of love or convenience? Also do you think the location brought anything to the film?
A: It was out of Love and convenience.
Q: Shot In The Face boasts a great cast, can you tell me anything about how this came together? I know Nick Lea, John Cassini, Frank Cassini and Ben Ratner are friends, so was it your idea to cast them or did one of them suggest the other?
A: The casting process actually had alot to do with our lead: Bruce Ramsay who I cast first as Jerry. He sent the script to some of his friends including Nick and happily they wanted to be in the film.
Q: Being a Nicholas Lea fanatic, I'd love to know what you thought of Nick and his performance? What qualities do you think he brought to the film? What was it like working with him? Also, would you work with Nick again given the chance?
A: I didn't know Nick personally before the shoot but in only a few short weeks I consider him a really good friend. I think his performance is amazing in this film and many of his fans are going to be blown away by it. Nick was professional on the set and really was helpful in all capacities. Actually to be honest one of my favorite shots in the film came out of a suggestion he had, so of course I would work with him again. I look forward to it.
Q: Where do you see the film going now? Direct to cable/video/dvd? Has a release date been set? Also if the film goes to DVD, what would you like to be added as extras? (I know it's unlikely, but hey...I can dream).
A: Right now the Film will be on Cable in Canada and we are in negotiations with distributors to bring it everywhere else. As far as extras there would be tonnes.
Q: Will the film be touring the Film Festivals?
A: Hopefully.
Q: Do you have any other projects coming up and if so, please tell us a bit about it.
A: I am currently working on a series being shot in Taiwan called English Teachers and am in pre-production on another feature about the internet porn industry.
Q: Finally, I have to ask, who came up with the title Shot In The Face? (I think it's a master-stroke! :)
A: My brother!!!
Thanks once again!