This marks the first edition of what I hope to be a periodical feature on the Greasy Pig Studios blog, in which I interview past/present clients to talk about our projects, their projects, and their advice for those involved in similar businesses.

As mentioned in our last post, Tony Randel is the director for Painted Bird Films, for whom we’d done three projects so far: The Painted Birds Motion Logo, The Painted Bird Website, and collaborating on the CREOBA.TV website.

Greasy Pig Studios: So how did you find out about myself and Greasy Pig Studios, and what we’ve worked together?

Tony Randel: I became acquainted with Arvin and Greasy Pig Studios while working as a consult on the feature My Suicide.  I was impress with Arvin’s work ethic as well as his enormous talent as an artist and designer.  When I needed a company logo designed for a product reel I was hired to create, I employed Arvin.  He did a stellar job creating a dynamic and modern animated logo.  I have been working with Arvin ever since.

Greasy Pig Studios: Any interesting trivia/anecdotes about the two of us working together?

Tony Randel: Arvin and I have a VERY streamlined working method.  All of our business together in conducted online through IM and file transfers.  I find this technique very efficient as it allows for easy multitasking which is definitely a requirement in today’s economic climate.

Greasy Pig Studios: We saw each other way more before I was working for you.

Tony Randel: yeah – you worked in an office – it was a bummer and unnecessary.

Greasy Pig Studios: If there was an office that wasn’t a 75 mile roundtrip commute for me I wouldn’t necessarily mind working in it, if there were cool people (like you) working there

As both a business and a client, Please describe what, to you, makes for a good client/freelancer relationship. How can the freelancer make sure to satisfy the client, and how can the client get the most bang for their buck?

Tony Randel: Any creative venture’s success is dependent upon  communication.  There is a simple reality that people sometimes do not connect on a creative plain.  (Is it plane?)   This mis-connect is easy to recognize as the work becomes difficult, and progress is slow or nonexistent.  When one is faced with this scenario, a quick exit from the situation is best for both parties as fighting it through rarely yields good results.  When a creative harmony is found, communication and mutual respect will foster a positive, productive, and and potential long term working relationship.

Greasy Pig Studios: I think it’s plane, but I’m not gonna save you on that.

Not only would a creative harmony foster all that, but the work suddenly goes a whole lot faster and way more fun.

What are your tips for someone in your field, just starting out?

Tony Randel: Anybody entering media/entertainment should be prepared to be flexible and it helps to have more than one skill.  Fortunately I am a trained film editor as well as director and my executive skills come in handy no matter what the situation.  Also, it is very important to keep up with the technology – which changes very rapidly.  That is an absolute must.

Greasy Pig Studios: That last part is something I think you’re very good at

What are your preferred methods of communication when it comes to your work? How actively do you market and advertise your services, and via what methods?

Tony Randel: I have been very fortune lately as work seems to be coming my way without much effort.  One can never count on that but when work comes it’s great.  So, for me, word of mouth is the absolutely best to generate more work.

Greasy Pig Studios: Yeah, recently I’ve found the amount of work to be about the same but the percentage of word of mouth jobs have been increasing a lot, which of course saves you a lot of time looking for work and the hassle of dealing with someone you may not like

Okay, so you just recently released The Double Born, which you wrote and directed. First tell us what the movie is about

Tony Randel: The Double Born is a drama/thriller starring Sammi Davis and Jon Lindstrom.  The film concerns the quest of a woman to replace a child in her life that was lost several years ago.

Greasy Pig Studios: when did you first start working on that?

Tony Randel: I wrote the script in 2007 and after many months of trying to secure financing, I decided to fund the project myself.  It was film in 2008.  Securing distribution is tricky in today’s world so it took some time to get it out into the market place.

For the DVD release I made a 45 minute documentary: Juggling Fire: Making and Independent Film on Flashlights and Batteries.  Since the film was super-low budget we often use flashlights to light scenes – thus the title.  The documentary give a fairly detailed description of how the film was made.

Greasy Pig Studios: Can you recall one particularly memorable day in the production of The Double Born, from any aspect of its making to its release?

Tony Randel: Day two of the filming we shot at a rather “interesting” location – The Pink Motel is Sun Valley California.  It’s best described by watching part 2 of the documentary.  It’s online at www.paintedbird.us.

Greasy Pig Studios: What is one thing the Double Born taught you to always do or don’t do?

Tony Randel: While making The Double Born I learned to only shoot films where to concept of the script is solid, where the goal of the characters is clear, and the story draws to a logical conclusion.

Greasy Pig Studios: okay, final question: what’re you working on next, other than basking in the glow of having gotten your movie released?

Tony Randel: I was just hired to direct a small movie in the Indiana which films in the spring.  In-between I’ve been hired to edit a horror film.  So, doing my best to stay busy!

Tomorrow at 11:30 PST I am a guest on Leo Laporte’s nationally syndicated radio program – The Week in Tech.  It’s a VERY popular show and I’m really looking forward to it.  I’ve been a Leo fan for years!