Past Filmmakers

John Fitch III, Lisa Inserra, Chad Cogdill
Maxyme 10:58

1. How did you come up with the idea for the film?

Lisa: The screenplay is based on the poem “Ma Chere Petite Maxyme,” written by New York poet, Garren Small. The story is about a woman Garren met when he was travelling in France. When he talked about the woman after he returned from Europe, I could see he was still under her spell. I thought it would be a great story to have the audience experience Maxyme the way I experienced her…through Garren's eyes.

2. How long did the production process take?

 Lisa: I first heard the poem in 1999. It took five years to find the right crew and the financial opportunity to do the film. The screenplay adaptation of the poem literally flew out of my head and onto the storyboards, but the actual shooting script went through two revisions. Pre-production took 3-4 months and Maxyme went into production in 2004. 

3. What challenges did you experience in the creation of the film?

Lisa: Shooting took only four days, but postproduction was very difficult because the offline edit was done on Final Cut, but the online edit was done on an Avid Symphony. Transferring the EDL from Final Cut to Avid was a real challenge.

John: Postproduction for sound took two months. We used the ProTools 002 on a Mac G4. It took several weeks to find an accordion player in Charlotte who would do some French-style playing. Plus, we had to ADR the entire film as our field sound was unusable. We did some of the ADR at Reel Time Audio in Savannah, GA. The mixing and mastering was completed in our home studio in Charlotte.

4. What is your favorite memory from creating the film?

Lisa: We had a fabulous, professional actor who added a lot to every scene. He was amazing.

John: I enjoyed the collaborative creative process. Lisa, Chad and I work and play well together. 

5. When someone has finished watching the film, what do you hope they take away from the experience?

Lisa: I hope people feel the same way the poet feels when he remembers Maxyme. That's what I was going for.

John: I hope the film sticks in their head like a good, catchy song. 

6.  What type of reaction has your film received from viewers?

Chad: The film has shown in Savannah, GA, Macon, GA, New York City and response has been tremendously positive.

John: The film has generated interesting discussions every time it's screened. People seem to enjoy interpreting the themes in their own personal way.

7. What advice would you give to aspiring young filmmakers?

Lisa: Make small experimental films first. Don't expect to be a pro right off the bat. Learning how to make a film will continue until the day you die.

John: Read, watch, think and talk about film as much as possible. When you're sick and tired of other people's films, go out and make your own. Lisa's right, this process will take years. I haven't seen an excellent film done by anyone under 30 years old. 

8. Please tell us about the next film you plan to work on?

Lisa: I like the poetry film genre. I'm currently shooting a short piece with Tampa poet Bernard Thomas.

John: I'm planning to direct a short film next summer – the script is still in development. 

9. What are your thoughts on the film industry in NC?

John: NC is a great place to make films: excellent weather, great production resources, beautiful locations, qualified crew…the list goes on and on. I wish that more major motion pictures studios would bring their projects here. I'm very encouraged by the quality of NC films.