Meet the 2013 SXSW Filmmakers #29: Elise Saloman Films A Labor of Love in Indie Label Doc ‘Los Wild Ones’
Premiering in the Documentary Competition at this year’s festival, Elise Salomon’s “Los Wild Ones” aims to present a picture of artists giving everything to their work, in this case the performance of 50s Rock classic by Hispanic musicians at LA’s Wild Records. It’s quite the change from the director who premiered “Paper Heart” 4 years ago at Sundance, giving early signs of a director to watch.
What it’s about: Wild Records is an indie label reminiscent of the early days of Sun
Records. The label is based in LA and run by Reb Kennedy aka Mr. Wild
Records and is comprised of young Hispanic musicians who write and
perform 50s Rock n Roll.
Tell Us About Yourself: Her first feature film, “Paper Heart”, which stars Charlyne Yi, Michael
Cera and Jake M. Johnson, premiered at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival
in the U.S. Dramatic Competition and won the prestigious Waldo Salt
Screenwriting Award. “Paper Heart” received a theatrical release with
Overture Films in the Summer 2009.
Her second feature film, which she Co-Produced, “Smashed”, stars Mary
Elizabeth Winstead, Aaron Paul, Nick Offerman, Octavia Spencer, Kyle
Gallner and Mary Kay Place. “Smashed” premiered at the 2012 Sundance
Film Festival in the U.S. Dramatic Competition and was awarded the
Special Jury Prize for producing. The film was released theatrically by
Sony Pictures Classics in 2012.
Elise’s directorial debut, “Los Wild Ones”, is a feature documentary on
the indie record label, Wild Records run by Irishman, Reb Kennedy. “Los
Wild Ones” was one of eight films selected to premiere in the
Documentary Competition category at the 2013 SXSW Film Festival. Wild
Records is largely comprised of young, Hispanic musicians who write and
perform 1950’s Rock n’ Roll. The film will have its World Premiere in
March 2013.
What else do you want audiences to know about your film?
I want people to know how hard the artists on this label work and that
they do it for the love of it. These people are the most talented, hard
working, honest, humble people I’ve come across in a long time and I
can’t wait for their music to be heard by everyone. I can’t wait for
people to get to know them.
What was your biggest challenge in developing this project? The biggest challenge in developing this project was shooting a
documentary with a complete story and whole character arcs in five
months. I knew it was possible but it was “challenging” to say the
least. We had an amazingly dedicated crew who worked 5, sometimes 6
days a week for five months. Most low budget, indies shoot 3 weeks, 4
if you’re lucky. So, this was low budget indie for almost half a year.
The crew were tireless, dedicated and I would not have been able to do
this without them.
What would you like SXSW audiences to come away with after seeing your film? To know that families truly do come in all shapes and sizes. To
recognize that sometimes the most unconventional families are the ones
with the strongest bonds and the most loving relationships.
Did any specific films inspire you? I’ve been obsessed with movies since I was a kid. Movies have always
been the language I understand the most and I think every movie that has
ever affected me has inspired me. Certain films that influenced me a
great deal are Suburbia, Stand By Me, Grand Canyon, Magnolia and This is
England.
What do you have in the works? I have a television docu series in development as well as a
narrative feature that I’m writing. It’s a period piece – a dark,
violent drama with a strong female lead.
Indiewire invited SXSW directors to tell us about their films,
including what inspired them, the challenges they faced and what they’re
doing next. We’ll be publishing their responses leading up to the 2013
festival.
Keep checking HERE every day up to the launch of the festival on March 8 for the latest profiles.
