Ivan Rogers
Q & A with Actor, Producer, Director Ivan Rogers
Le Montrose Suite Hotel / West Hollywood, CA., U.S.A.
June 24, 2000

Question: When and where was "Forgive Me Father" shot?
Answer: "It was shot on location in Indianapolis, Indiana and North Hollywood, California. As far as when the shoot occurred, we started in Indianapolis in August of 1997 and did not complete the film until February of 2000."
 
Question: That's almost three years. Why did it take so long?
Answer: "Pick something!. Anything that could possibly go wrong did!"
 
Question: Would you expound on that and give us examples?
Answer: "There were weather problems. We had crew members who did not get along, which resulted in lots of hiring and firing. There were actors that decided to quit in the middle of the shoot, which ultimately led to recasting and reshooting the scenes. Then we had actors that just quit and could not be replaced because their scenes were 99% shot. That required rewriting the script a few times."
 
Question: I don't understand. Why were your actors quitting?
Answer: "Because they were selfish and inconsiderate of the needs of the project. They were only in it for themselves. You see, a film is a collaborative effort. It's like a chain. It's only as strong as it's weakest link. Those individuals were the weak links."
 
Question: Aside from those problems, were there any other special demands with the production?
Answer: "Yes. This picture has an enormous number of cast members as well as several locations that were more difficult to secure than I had originally thought. I also had to cast five children and a dog. Two of the children had to look like they could be me and Alexander Hill, the actor that played my brother, as little kids. That was pretty tough."
 
Question: What was the budget on the film?
Answer: "Which one...the one we started with, the one we thought we'd end up with or the one we did end up with?"
 
Question: Well, where did the budget end up?
Answer: "Let's just say it was...much more than we had intended on spending. And please keep in mind, had it not been for the strong support of my executive producers, this whole production could have stopped at any time. It took several meetings over the course of the production and post production to encourage them to continue with the project. Luckily they agreed."
 
Question: The film is over. Did you get what you wanted on screen?
Answer: "Yes, and I am very pleased. "Forgive Me Father" is a powerful and unique film. But I paid for it and I wouldn't make a film this way again. What we all went through has changed us. We're not the same anymore."
 
Question: Last question. Changed you how? What would you do differently?
Answer: ...there is silence...
End of Interview

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