An Interview with Will Budnikov, Filmmaker of the Short Documentary Film: Greek Delight!, which is part of The Video Diaries Project

This year I created The Video Diaries Project: A Series of Short Films About the Artists in the Riant Theatre's Strawberry One-Act Festival.  Here is an interview I had with Will Budnikov, who is an actor in IT'S GREEK TO ME, and the filmmaker for the Short Documentary Film GREEK DELIGHT!

VF:  What inspired you to work on The Video Diaries Project?

Will:  Actually, I fell into the project accidentally.  Our playwright hired a videographer, who dropped out right before we began rehearsals.  During our first read-through, I mentioned that I love filmmaking, and could help out with the project, and so here we are.

VF:  So tell me a little about yourself.  I know you're an actor, but how did you get into film making?  Where did you study and where do you get your inspiration to make films?

Will:  I love movies.  Through my years of film-watching, certain films and directors have influenced my views on this particular form of art.  Unfortunately, I've never taken any major film courses, and have basically educated myself through books, and once again, watching films.  

If I had to pick two biggest inspiration/influences on me, they would be:  Clint Eastwood (I love his energy, and true love of film), and the great Ridley Scott (a master storyteller, and a visual genius).

It is a cliche to list films that have inspired you, but here are some that have made a life-long impression on me, and set me on this path:  Jaws, Kingdom Of Heaven, Blade Runner, Schindler's List, Gran Torino.

VF:  Is this your first documentary?  I love your sense of humor.  What was the process like in working on this project?

Will: I've directed several documentaries in High School and College.  My favorite one was on Violence in Films.  I knew that it was such a lackluster project that me and my co-director decided to "just do it," and actually ended up with a pretty decent, informative and pretty funny piece of film.  We've thrown everything into that film, except the kitchen sink.  That was many moons ago, but nonetheless the memory of making that film stuck with me.

The process of working on this project...  Hmm...  It was interesting.  Once I found out that some of the excerpts were needed to be posted on the website, my director, playwright had to scramble and get together for a quick taping (about an hour long), which was edited down to about seven minutes, so that something...anything could be submitted. Once we had our first, nearly-full cast rehearsal I was able to do more interviews and tape some of the rehearsal.  To be perfectly honest, this project has been re-edited about five times, last one being the day it was handed in.  Even after that, working on it has been such a fun ride that I didn't want it to end.

VF:  How was it directing a short film with your fellow actors, playwright and director?

Will:  Cast and Crew have been very receptive to the idea of participating in this project.  Everyone had a lot to say, and I've captured quite a few memorable moments, a lot of which ended up on the cutting room floor.  I had to stay within the 12-minute limit, and still wish some of them could have made it into the film.  I think, when making a documentary, one should definitely create and stay within a certain structure, but remember to allow people to be real and tell stories and anecdotes that would contribute to the film's effect.  This was an interesting, and sometimes a challenging shoot, but I am very grateful that I've had this experience and was able to participate in the Video Diaries Project.

VF:  What do you expect the audience to walk away with after seeing your film?

Will:  I think the audiences will get the sense of how much fun it is to be an artist, and to participate in projects like "It's Greek To Me."  I think GREEK DELIGHT is energetic and fun, and hopefully will intrigue, excite and entice audiences to come and see the play performed on-stage.

VF:  Is there anything else you would like to share with our readers?  Are you a native New Yorker?

Will:  The beauty of film as an art form, I think is the ability to combine all of the random pieces to create a coherent whole, and make it watchable and entertaining in the process.  Film is a way to free oneself, and to allow people experience your vision and your ideas.  

I am originally from Russia.  I've arrived to the US in September of 1991, and have resided in New Jersey ever since.

Click here to buy tickets to see IT'S GREEK TO ME by Shelly Bromberg

Series F in the Strawberry One-Act Festival, July 30th at 5pm

At the Hudson Guild Theatre, 441 West 26th Street, NYC.


Watch the Short Film:  Greek Delight!