Director/Producer Kevin M. Slee Talks About New Project "Jonathan Sky"

Laguna Niguel indie director Kevin M. Slee is a very productive man.

Slee, in behalf of film production company Artistic Analogies Film Co. (which Slee co-founded) has been busy promoting Matthew Anderson's "Franky, Frankly" a short film starring Mikandrew Perdaris, Bella Dayne and Allan Hyde. Slee recently wrapped up filming his new short "The Secret Life of Jonathan Sky" and yours truly was fortunate enough to caught up with this hardworking writer/director/producer.


One-on-one with Kevin M. Slee:

"The Secret Life of Jonathan Sky" is the newest project of Artistic Analogies Film Co. What is it about?
"The Secret Life of Jonathan Sky" is about a man, Mr. Jonathan Sky (Amir Malaklou), who has been obsessing over the rejection he felt in high school when the girl of his dreams, Natalie Jacobson (Lexi Sakowitz), lied to him about going to the prom together. Four years later, Jonathan has thought of nothing else, and decides he wants to see Natalie one last time. The story is about those final moments and about how such immense hurt and rejection can change someone – forever.


You wrote the screenplay and you will be directing it. Who else is going to be part of this film?
Yes, I wrote the script a while back and decided I would like to direct it as my next film to come from Artistic Analogies Film Co. We had an amazing crew and cast involved, including many people from past Artistic Analogies productions. I have wonderful producers, all of whom worked very hard to get this film made. We have Courtney Renee, David Johnson, and James Cox (My Friend Johnny Keller). My Sound Designer is Eric Hoehn (Election Day, The King of the Jews) and we are back with Composer John W. Snyder (Grey Matter).

As far as the cast goes, I was very lucky to secure Lexi Sakowitz as “Natalie Jacobson” early on in the process. Lexi is a wonderfully talented actor, very diverse, honest, and specific. She had to put up with a lot in both rehearsals and during production, emotionally and physically, and I couldn’t have done it with anyone else. I was thrilled to have her for The Secret Life of Jonathan Sky and the fact that I had worked with her as a producer on Artistic Analogies Film Co.’s Election Day (Dir. Zach Wechter) made it even better. I very much look forward to seeing the finished product, and hope to work with her again very soon in whatever capacity I can. I really do expect to see great things from her in the future.

“Jonathan Sky” was much harder to cast. In fact, at a few different times during the pre-production and casting stages I thought I had my “Jonathan”, but then decided that it wasn’t quite right… Luckily, when meeting with Lexi one afternoon she suggested Amir Malaklou and I called him right away. He and Lexi read for me and I was sold – had to have him. Amir is a very intense and intuitive actor, always very specific but always giving something new and exciting. It was a thrill to work with him, and I hope he will come back to Artistic Analogies Film Co. in the future.


How far along in the production is "The Secret Life of Jonathan Sky"?
We wrapped production this past Sunday and are now into the post-production stages. Our Editor, Andrew Hellesen, now has all the footage and we will begin a 1st cut as well as the early scoring stages.



Can you tell us something that sets "The Secret Life of Jonathan Sky" apart from the previous films Artistic Analogies Film Co. has produced and released?
While The Secret Life of Jonathan Sky may be similar to some Artistic Analogies Film Co. productions, I think the issue presented makes it unique. We took an emotion and an event that everyone can relate to in one capacity or another and applied it to a very specific genre. As far as what sets it apart, I am not sure. My goal is to make whatever films I am passionate about and driven to produce or direct so considering differences with past productions doesn’t factor in too much…


One similarity the past Artistic Analogies Film Co.'s productions have is the brilliant music/soundtrack used in each film. Can we expect new compositions for this film as well?
We have John Snyder on board to compose with featured musician Vijay Venkatesh. Snyder has composed many Artistic Analogies Film Co. productions, including Election Day, Franky, Frankly, and Grey Matter (in association with). John is magically diverse in his choices, and always elevates the film in a very delicate way. He never detracts and always finds a way to add just enough. I believe much of this skill comes in his humble, honest, and giving personality. He loves film, music, and working with filmmakers – when you make it about that and not yourself, that’s where it all comes together.


Anything else you would like to add?
I hope you are all able to see the film, and if you would like to keep updates on the production and other Artistic Analogies Film Co. production you can follow us, and the film, on Facebook and Twitter.

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Thank you very much to Kevin for this wonderful opportunity and insight on his new film.

Be sure to tune in tonight, 9:00 PST, on BlogTalkRadio to catch Kevin M. Slee live as he talk about the short "Franky, Frankly." Later on, ArtistsOnDemand will have a chance to speak with "Franky, Frankly" writer/director Matthew Anderson and star Mikandrew Perdaris.

SOURCE: Artistic Analogies Film Co.