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

KILROY WAS HERE was really the culmination of a number of ideas and themes I had long wanted to explore early on as a filmmaker.  I have a great affinity for World War II and became excited by the idea of telling a story that was not necessarily about the war, but rather utilized the war as a backdrop.  I was compelled by the idea of introducing the audience to a group of French kids who had lost their parents because of the war and were forced to band together to survive for themselves.  I wanted to explore the idea of innocence and the tragedy of it being taken away as these kids are forced into feral and drastic means in order to stay alive.  Telling the story entirely from the perspective of an American fighter pilot allowed me to immerse the audience in a kind of otherworldly experience, and it provided the greatest motivation to unfold the story visually rather than through the use of dialogue.  When I think about this film, I like to think of it as a silent film with sound.

2.  How long did the production process take?

We shot for five days, then spent nearly six months in post production.  The post work on this film was extensive because we built the entire soundtrack from scratch.  We didn't use any production audio -- every sound was recorded through foley and every line of French dialogue was looped. 

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

There were many.  One particular challenge that stands out was our learning on the first day of production that the owner of our location was not, in fact, the actual owner, but rather a tenant.  The actual owner decided, on our first day of shooting, to drop by his property and to his utter shock, he discovered a full production crew and production equipment sprawled across his land, complete with two full-size military parachutes hanging from two separate trees.  We were forced off of the property and feared that we would have to shut the movie down.  Thanks to the tireless efforts of a number of NCSA Film faculty members, we were able to convince the actual owner to allow us to continue using his location for our remaining shooting days.

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

Working with seven child actors, most of whom had never acted on film before, was a highly rewarding experience and an unequivocal blast. 

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

I can only hope that they enjoy it.

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

I have been very fortunate with the response the film has received.

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

Never spend your own money on your films.

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

It is scary.

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

The film industry in North Carolina is one of the most thriving in the United States.  Between Charlotte, Wilmington and Winston-Salem, there is a vast net of resources that any filmmaker would want to be able to fall into.