Veronica Taylor Small
Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, where the love bug of filmmaking kissed me over twenty years ago, when a longtime friend dragged me to one of her auditions and asked me to audition with her as a reader I have been acting, writing, and producing ever since.
Since leaving Brooklyn to pursue filmmaking in Los Angeles and screenwriting through Writer’s Boot Camp, and studying ongoing with Jacob Krueger Studios in New York City one-on-one. I have worked on several projects that have included commercials and industrials (in both Los Angeles and Boston).
As an award-winning screenwriter and producer (Studio City International Film & TV Festival, Kismet Virtual Short Films Festival, Gothamite Monthly Film Awards, Gold Movie Awards, Best Shorts Competition, Krimson Horyzon International Film Festival, The IndieFEST Film Awards, Global Shorts) for my short film, Siphon, a sci-fi thriller, I am actively gearing up for its adaptation as a feature film.
Your project has entered in our festival. What is your project about?
My project "Siphon" is about aliens from a dying planet who realize how much earthlings don't appreciate their life energy, so they've come to siphon their body energy to save the lives of their people.
What are your ambitions with your project?
My ambition for "Siphon" is to have other producers come aboard to help finance my project as an episodic.
Tell us something about your shooting? What pleasantly surprised you?
Due to flights we didn't have much time to explore the scenes the way I wanted to, but I believe we got good performances and was pleasantly surprised at how fast all of the actors found chemistry with each other.
For what group of spectators is your film targeted?
Siphon is targeted for all ages and ethnicities. The goal is for the audience to understand how precious life is and that it should be cherished and not taken for granted.
Why should distributors buy your film?
Distributors, I feel, should buy my film because it is an asset for everyone in this world to realize we all need each other to live a joyful life.
How would you specify your work? What characterizes your film?
I specify my work as giving people something positive to think about on how they can live life easier for themselves and others. I characterize the film in a sci-fi/mystery genre because I find that to be more interesting and compelling, and it aligns with the special effects.
Why did you decided to become a filmmaker?
I love storytelling. I also have two books I've written and self published for Children/YA.
Since leaving Brooklyn to pursue filmmaking in Los Angeles and screenwriting through Writer’s Boot Camp, and studying ongoing with Jacob Krueger Studios in New York City one-on-one. I have worked on several projects that have included commercials and industrials (in both Los Angeles and Boston).
As an award-winning screenwriter and producer (Studio City International Film & TV Festival, Kismet Virtual Short Films Festival, Gothamite Monthly Film Awards, Gold Movie Awards, Best Shorts Competition, Krimson Horyzon International Film Festival, The IndieFEST Film Awards, Global Shorts) for my short film, Siphon, a sci-fi thriller, I am actively gearing up for its adaptation as a feature film.
Your project has entered in our festival. What is your project about?
My project "Siphon" is about aliens from a dying planet who realize how much earthlings don't appreciate their life energy, so they've come to siphon their body energy to save the lives of their people.
What are your ambitions with your project?
My ambition for "Siphon" is to have other producers come aboard to help finance my project as an episodic.
Tell us something about your shooting? What pleasantly surprised you?
Due to flights we didn't have much time to explore the scenes the way I wanted to, but I believe we got good performances and was pleasantly surprised at how fast all of the actors found chemistry with each other.
For what group of spectators is your film targeted?
Siphon is targeted for all ages and ethnicities. The goal is for the audience to understand how precious life is and that it should be cherished and not taken for granted.
Why should distributors buy your film?
Distributors, I feel, should buy my film because it is an asset for everyone in this world to realize we all need each other to live a joyful life.
How would you specify your work? What characterizes your film?
I specify my work as giving people something positive to think about on how they can live life easier for themselves and others. I characterize the film in a sci-fi/mystery genre because I find that to be more interesting and compelling, and it aligns with the special effects.
Why did you decided to become a filmmaker?
I love storytelling. I also have two books I've written and self published for Children/YA.
"Maggie the Shih Tzu Detective (Volume I Faith)"
"Maggie the Shih Tzu Detective (Volume II Courage)"
"Maggie the Shih Tzu Detective (Volume II Courage)"
Who is your role model?
My role model is/was my dad. He was a single parent of 9 children. My mom passed away when I was nine. My siblings would always make fun of me because I'd alway say "one day I'm gonna be an actress and make movies". My dad would always tell me that I can make it in this business if I stay with it and do my best.
Which movies are your favorites? Why?
I have two favorite movies... of course they are sci-fi. First, is the original "The Day the Earth Stood Still". Because I've always imagined The Yah doing something like that to get people's attention. Second, is "The Attack of the Fifty Foot Woman". Because I was always teased growing up having to have to be in the back of the line at school for being the tallest girl in all my classes. I was also teased by my siblings, and they would always call me her... I'd always say at least she's pretty, because my girlfriends in school would tell me you're tall for a girl but you're pretty. So, when I first saw the "Golden Girls" with Bea Arthur I instantly fell in love with her! I also like Nichole Kidman. I always wanted to do some modeling (and still do, maybe make-up ads or something like that) LOL.
Where do you look for inspiration for your films?
I pull my inspiration from viewing the world on how it is, and how it could be with certain changes.
Which topics interest you the most?
I love watching/learning how special effects are done in tv and movies.
What do you consider your greatest achievement in your career?
My greatest achievement is finding great actors, film crew, and the director that work on "Siphon"... they are all wonderful! It is because of them the movie is such a success.
What do you consider most important about filming?
Being present in mind/body/spirit when making films. But always try your best to have fun and enjoy the process.
Which film technique of shooting do you consider the best?
I don't believe there is a BEST, but all of them can be used in different ways for your project.
How would you rate/What is your opinion about current filmmaking?
I rate current filmmaking as very challenging because one must stick with it and try your best to stay positive especially when things look the most grim. Because there are so many different ways to make films nowadays. But when/if you don't have a big budget and you want your film to be its best on a nickel budget one must stay focused and learn how to work with what you got and make it the best it can be.
What can disappoint you in a movie?
I'm very disappointed when watching megabucks spent on movies and I catch errors in the movie. Like, seeing windows blown out in one scene during a car chase and a few seconds later the same scene is showing the car with windows in tac. What an oversight on the job during post production.
Who supports you in your film career?
My support in this business comes from my two daughters. Because my dad is no longer with us, and all the people I grew up with never thought it would haven for me after so much rejection I've received in the past. They'd always ask me "why do I stick with it?" Then I remember my dad and just smile at them and walk away.
What are the reactions to your film? (opinion of spectators, film critics, friends and family)
The reactions I get from everyone who sees "Siphon" cannot believe I've written a film that's gotten over 20+ awards/accolades. Everyone who's seen it loves it. When many of them would tell me "I'd like to 'Siphon'" many people I've met over the years" I just laugh.
Have you already visited any of the prestigious film festivals?
I've gone to the Southeast Regional (SER) Film Festival in Jacksonville Florida. I must say, it was so exciting to see my film on that big screen.
What are your future plans in filmmaking carriere?
My plans for filmmaking are to keep at it and do as many as I can. I'd also like to make films from some of the books I've read as well. For now, after the strike is over, the director Curtis Wyatt, III, and I plan to start shooting episode one of "Siphon", which is a three-part series.
Director's Bio:
My name is Curtis L. Wyatt III and I am an American actor, director and writer. I have
appeared in movies, television and theatrical plays. My most notable recent appearance
was on Manhunt: Unabomber and the soon to be released movie, Dirty South House
Arrest. I am an athlete; I played football for the University of Georgia and was an All
American basketball player and award winning track participant in high school. I most
recently played Mark in the movie Chi Nu Legacy, an indie film that is currently circling the
film festival circuit. My last feature, Swipe Club which I wrote, directed and acted in, has already won 4 audience awards and best director in the feature film category.