Ep 271: Inside the Neighborhood: Seth Zvi Rosenfeld’s Guerrilla Filmmaking & NYC Stories
Filmmaking Conversations Podcast with Damien SwabyShow Notes
Episode Snapshot
Playwright-turned-filmmaker Seth Zvi Rosenfeld joins Damien Swaby to talk about his journey from the New York theatre scene to Hollywood, Sundance, and independent filmmaking. He shares how his latest film—shot guerrilla-style in a real restaurant over six days—became a heartfelt portrait of community and resilience in post-lockdown New York. The conversation dives deep into working with non-actors, directing for truth, and navigating today’s streaming and indie distribution landscape.
Chapters & Timestamps 00:00 – Welcome & intro 00:01 – Origin story: theatre → screenwriting (New Line Cinema) 00:03 – Lessons from early Hollywood experiences 00:04 – First short film, Sundance Lab & early features 00:05 – Brother’s Kiss and King of the Jungle 00:06 – Transition into television work 00:07 – Pandemic short rekindles love for filmmaking 00:08 – The birth of a new film at El Posto A Canto restaurant 00:09 – Shooting with real patrons and blending fiction with reality 00:10 – Guerrilla filmmaking on the Williamsburg Bridge 00:12 – Creating a film about community and connection 00:16 – Directing non-actors and improvisation 00:19 – The heart of the film: post-pandemic togetherness 00:22 – Collaborating with longtime friends and actors 00:24 – New York City as a living character 00:27 – Danny Hoch’s creative influence and personal experiences 00:29 – Tone, truth, and emotional authenticity in filmmaking 00:33 – Influences: Sidney Lumet, Woody Allen, and Scorsese 00:36 – Lessons from theatre: the art of working with actors 00:38 – Television vs. indie film: control and collaboration 00:41 – Distribution realities & using FilmHub 00:44 – Next project: Legit — a comedy set in New York’s cannabis world 00:46 – Why we tell stories and how film preserves human experience 00:47 – Closing thoughts and reflections People, Places & Projects Mentioned Films by Seth Zvi Rosenfeld: Brother’s Kiss, King of the Jungle Restaurant: El Posto A Canto (New York City) Collaborators: Christopher James, Rebecca James, Danny Hoch, Julio & Beatrice, Victor (Sixto) Influences & References: Goodfellas (Scorsese), Dog Day Afternoon, Serpico, Network (Sidney Lumet), Manhattan (Woody Allen), Saturday Night Fever TV: How to Make It in America Distribution Platform: FilmHub Notable Quotes “When you’re shooting a movie in six days, the cameras need to be going all the time.” “Create an environment where no one can do anything wrong — then roll.” “If theatre should play with your eyes closed, film should work with the sound off.” “I’m always chasing what feels true — that’s where the emotion and the comedy live.” “There will always be a need for people with a good story to tell it.” Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seth_Zvi_Rosenfeld
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