G Spotlight: Chris Dickens

As a child, Chris Dickens loved to story-tell and act out his imagination. He had dreams of one day becoming an entertainer. But, like many of us, as we grow and get caught up in the hustle and bustle of life, he allowed his dreams and passions to subside while he raised a family. Check out what made him realize the importance of revitalizing and striving for his dreams, and how he is now making them a reality.

1) Tell us about “Vigilante Project.”

“Vigilante Project” is a new and exciting film written by yours truly and my writing partner, Phil Morgenthaler. Our company, Yvette Avenue Productions, is actively looking for any and everyone that can help to bring this project to the big screen.

2) What is the thought process behind the film?

Our thought process was simple: How does the average Joe become a vigilante?

We created this relationship between the main character and his sister, and then we have this tragedy which calls our hero to action. But, where does he start? What would you do?

We’ve all seen the superhero movies, and by that I mean the guys that have special powers, special training, or special resources to help them get the job done. However our main character is not a superhero. He’s a college student in New York City. So, with no superpowers, limited income, few resources, and no detective experience, Alvin Gentry seeks retribution. Those superhero type films typically have a short training montage. In the case of Vigilante Project, the film is the montage.

3) Are you living your dreams?

I fell in love with storytelling at a very young age. My dream has always been to entertain and to share my vision with the world. This project has allowed me to do that not only on paper, but also on film.

Taking the advice of a potential producer to put together a demo reel, we shot a trailer for the film to showcase the character’s costume, fighting style, weapons, and to introduce the basic premise of the film.

It was very low budget. We found our lead actor and crew on Craigslist. Everyone else involved were friends that jumped in to help.

Seeing the finished product was amazing. Phil and I were able to take our ideas, and put them on screen. I can’t wait to see it on the big screen, but for now you can check it out on YouTube. Here’s the link on our web site: www.vigilanteproject.com

4) Are your career goals in line with your personal goals?

As a Christian, my personal goal is to live a life that’s glorifying and pleasing to God. I know that the film industry and the Hollywood lifestyle can be a dangerous place, but temptation is not just in Hollywood, it’s everywhere. With God’s help, I believe that I can continue to be a good husband, father, and I can be an amazing filmmaker as well.

Vigilante Project is the first in a long line of films that I want to make. I am hoping that this launches my career, and grants me the necessary access to learn “the business.” I have a lot to learn, but my ultimate career goal is to someday direct feature films.

5) Has there been an event/person that has greatly influenced you to be the person you are today?

One of my best friends, Mike Urbano, died in a motorcycle accident in 2005. That event shook my world to the foundation. He was like a brother to me and when he died it was a huge wake up call. Not only did it bring me back to a relationship with the Lord, but it also inspired me to go after the things that I want. Life is short, and then you die. It’s what you do today, and where you’re going after, that’s important.

6) Three years ago, did you envision yourself being where you are today? If not, what’s different? What would you change?

Three years ago I was working as a commodities broker and was focused on technical analysis and trading. To be honest, making movies was the last thing on my mind. Every now and then I would get an idea. I’d jot it down and daydream a bit, but it wasn’t until the market changed in 2008 that I really started planning my escape from the cubicle.

The truth is we’ve had some of these ideas for years. When I was in the 8^th grade, Phil and I were playing a role-playing game (nerdy I know). We were deep into it and some cool stuff was happening and I remember telling him, “I wish you could see what I see in my head. We should make a movie.”

I guess I never lost the vision or the desire to be a filmmaker, but there definitely were times that it was more prominent than others.

7) How do you empower yourself? What keeps you motivated and staying on course to reach your goals?

I empower myself through visualization. I stay motivated because in my head it’s already happened, and I just have to take the steps to get there. In my mind, I have already sold the screenplay. In my mind, I have walked the red carpet at the premiere. I stay motivated by setting goals.

They say that the difference between a dream and a goal is writing it down. I take it one step further. I visualize the goal, write it down, and then work backward until I get to today. In that process I ask myself, “What can I do today to sell my screenplay? What can I do today to get to that red carpet? What can I do today to win that Oscar?”

Anybody can say that they have an idea for a movie. My question is, what did you do today to make that movie happen?

8 ) What types of obstacles did you have to overcome?

The biggest obstacle was my inexperience. I’ve always been a gifted writer, but writing a screenplay is a different world. Thankfully I had Phil giving me his input and sharing his ideas, but he’s a rookie too! And don’t get me started on filming. I thank God for Sam Tabari and Tanner Grimshaw, our crew. Their experience as film students really helped a lot, and I was blown away by the editing and music that they did. I hope to work with them again someday.

9) What have you learned about yourself through this journey?

I have learned how much I love film. Originally I saw myself as just a writer, but this thing has snowballed into so much more. I love everything about the process, from the storyboards and scouting locations, to casting, directing, editing, music- the whole 9 yards. Writing is my primary focus, but then again I have A.D.D.

10) Who/what keeps you grounded?

My faith keeps me grounded. Without the Lord in my life, I’d be a completely different person. Every morning starts with prayer and spending some quality time with my Bible and/or my devotionals. I am not a morning person and oftentimes I am running late, but I need that to remind me of what I am truly trying to accomplish that day. Thank God for smart phones. Need scripture? There’s an app for that.

11) Has your personal life changed as a result of your career achievements?

I think that I am more grateful. Putting myself into the character’s shoes really made me appreciate what I have.

12) How do you embody guts, glamour and grace? (Must answer)

I am fearless. I am secure in myself, my beliefs, my talent, and my vision. I used to be afraid of failure until I realized that without failure there can be no success.

13) What’s one defining moment in your career?

To be honest, I don’t think it has happened yet. I had a huge victory when we finished the script, and then another when we premiered the trailer on YouTube. We got almost 1000 hits in 24 hours! However, I think that the defining moment is coming.

14) Who/what are your favorites (pick 5):

a) Charity – American Cancer Society. My Grandmother died of cancer and every year I participate in the Relay for Life event.

b) City(ies) – Seal Beach. It has everything.

c) Color – Purple. Strange for a guy, I know. But it’s the color of royalty, and someday I will be king.

d) TV Show – Too many to choose. HBO is a big one with True Blood, Hung, and Entourage. I also love the Boondocks on Cartoon Network. I watch Law and Order SVU, and CSI (Vegas and New York), and I love some of the more clever shows on cable like Burn Notice, Dark Blue, White Collar, and Leverage.

e) Animal – I love big cats. I have to say the Jaguar, but the Lion, Panda, and Killer Whale are all in there somewhere.

15) With your success, do you think money can buy you happiness?

I don’t believe that money can buy happiness, but it can take away some of the things that make you unhappy. I imagine that after we sell Vigilante Project I will have a lot less financial stress, and less stress makes me happy.

16) What advice can you give to other people on the rise?

The book of Proverbs is the best piece of advice ever given. It’s like a strategy guide for life. Proverbs talks about everything from choosing your spouse, to getting a loan, to being a parent. There are 31 chapters so go to BibleGateway.com and read one chapter a day. You’ll thank me later. Be sure to read the New Living Translation or the NIV. The old school King James will only frustrate you. In fact, e-mail me (Chris@VigilanteProject.com) and I’ll read it with you. We’ll compare notes.

Other than Proverbs, the advice I would give would be to enjoy the journey. If you’re like me, you have a goal in mind and you’re busting your butt to reach it, but every once in a while, stop and smell the roses. Be true to yourself, enjoy the journey, and don’t be afraid to look stupid.

17) What’s up next? Projects, trips, next big splurge…

The sequel of course! Seriously, we do have a sequel that we’re working on as well as a few other films that we’re developing. We’re also looking at the possibility of making a graphic novel. We’ve always loved comics and I think a Vigilante Project comic or graphic novel would be awesome! We’re going to be at the Long Beach Comic Con in October promoting the film, so come out and meet us, shake our hands, and ask some questions. We might even have a comic to sell.

Other than that, right now we have a few different people reading the script. I won’t name drop but we have a pretty well known actor that is interested in the role of Alvin, and some other Hollywood talent that is interested in directing and/or producing. I was lucky enough to find a wonderful script coach/script broker and she is helping us get our project into the right hands.

18) Anything else you’d like to share???

I just want to say thank you to my wife Jenny for always having my back, and thank you to the rest of my family as well. I know that Phil wants to thank his wife Lisa, his brother Steve, and the rest of his family too.

Check out www.VigilanteProject.com! Watch the demo trailer at http://www.youtube.com/VigilanteProject, become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/VigilanteProject, and follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/VigilanteProjec.

See you on opening night!