Interview with Sean Michael Beyer (Coldwater)

Helen and I were delighted when director, Sean Michael Beyer kindly agreed to do an interview for the Perlman Pages on his forthcoming film 'COLDWATER,' which will also be Sean's feature-film directorial debut.

Based loosely on real-life events, 'Coldwater' will reveal the humiliation and torture that hundreds of young people are subjected to in Juvenile Boot Camps and Behavior Modification schools around the world. Lucas Black and Ron Perlman will star in this compelling drama which begins production in June, 2004.

PP: What drew you to this particular subject matter in the first place, and inspired you to expose these institutions by making a movie about them?

SMB: I first read Vincent Grashaw's script in the fall of 2000 and was instantly drawn to it. I felt the characters were very real, and the story very compelling. Not a typical coming-of-age or angry teenager drama, but a layered story of overcoming odds, while growing up a little along the way. But not done in a traditional sense, a really unique and clever presentation. Sort of an edgy and young "Shawshank Redemption".

During our development process we began researching the behaviour modification institutions and were amazed, often disgusted at what really goes on in those places. Certainly there are teens that need more help than what their parents or regular schools can provide, but no one, I don't care what crimes they have committed, deserves to be beaten or tortured in the name of "treatment."

SMB: When Valerie [McCaffrey, our casting director] suggested Ron, the first words out of my mouth were something to the affect of "Oh my god, he would be perfect! But will he do an indie film?" She said she'd take it from there. Once Ron read the script, we met and talked about it and he just really "got it" - which was exciting. There is nothing more exhilarating than to hear an actor talk about a character in a film as if it were a real person.

PP: Is Colonel Timberland based on anybody specific, and what do you hope Ron will bring to the role?

SMB: The Colonel is purely a fictional character, although we have incorporated some of his character traits from our research of the real places.

I don't hope, I KNOW Ron will bring a fantastic screen presence and substance to the role, that only an actor of his calibre and experience can do. With a simple intense look, he's gonna scare the you-know-what out of the those boys!

PP: Apart from making a good movie and exposing the cruelty that goes on in many of these institutions, do you hope this film will help to achieve some sort of change in legislation in the way these places are run? Or do you feel that boot camps like these should be closed down completely and replaced by a different method of rehabilitation?

SMB: In a perfect world there would be no need for those sorts of places, but alas that isn't the case. More often than not, a kid winds up in those places, not because he or she is truly a bad kid, but because of lazy parenting. So often parents put their kids in front of the TV or on the Internet so they don't have to deal with them. Kids need attention, and when they don't get it, they act out, or find other ways to get it.

First and foremost 'Coldwater' is entertainment, plain and simple. We hope to make an intense realistic drama that will move people emotionally -- make them think, make them look into themselves, whether it's because they've experienced something like this, or perhaps someone they know has, or perhaps open their eyes to something going on in their own community that they weren't aware of.

And in the process, if we can prevent even just one parent from sending their child to a behaviour modification camp and eventual abuse, torture or even death, we've accomplished something pretty amazing with a movie.

We plan to dedicate 'Coldwater' to all of the kids that have died in these camps. And have already begun production on a real-life documentary about the kids and families affected by these places. It'll be included as a special feature for our DVD release.

PP: Budgeting is always tough in Hollywood - has it been difficult to find backing for the film, considering its subject matter?

SMB: Can you say three and half years?!! Yes, the subject matter has been an issue. Not to mention I'm a first-time feature director, so all of those elements are taken into consideration.

'Coldwater' doesn't fit neatly into a specific category. And in Hollywood, they don't like that. They want it to be just like "Such and Such" movie. No one likes to be the first to do something a little different. Well, I'm not a conformist. Of course I want the film to be commercially successful - I mean what's the point of making a movie if no one sees it? But at the same time, I'm not going to compromise my artistic integrity either. We've been asked if we'd "tame it down a bit" or make it more "family-oriented" - that would be a disservice to the subject matter and might as well air on Network TV as an after school special.

PP: This is your feature film directorial debut, although you have spent a lot of your career both behind and in front of the camera. How do you think this experience has prepared you for directing COLDWATER?

SMB: Can you say three and half years! Haha… the time spent developing the film (raising money, preliminary casting, etc) has given me a great deal of time to really get inside the characters and know the story backwards and forwards. So much of what I'm going to do as a director isn't on the page (in the script) per se. It's kind of hard to explain, but this won't be a cookie cutter movie. I have a cinematic style planned that you all will just have to wait and see on the silver screen!

I'm of course surrounding myself with seasoned and experienced professionals in all areas. Collaboration is something that's very important to me, and I enjoy that process very much. Not only does an actor bring something to the character they play, but the cinematographer, the production designer, the make up artist, wardrobe designer, the composer, the producers, etc, etc - all of those people bring something to the film, that one person could never do. I'm only as good as my team, and what a team I've got - I'm very lucky, indeed.

PP: You mentioned that you are about to begin pre-production, so does this mean that you have a full cast on board now?

PP: What are your plans for the film? Festivals, DVD release? Any idea when the film will be released?

SMB: Yes, we most definitely plan to submit to various film festivals. Because this is a small independent film, a theatrical release won't be announced until after the film is completed. As for DVD, absolutely - it'll include the real-life as well as a behind-the-scenes "making of" documentary and who knows what else!

'Coldwater' has been something I've lived and breathed for the past three and a half years and I'm very excited to finally see it happen!

PP: And we'll be very excited to see the finished result!

We'd like to thank Sean for giving us his time, and to wish him every success with 'Coldwater.'