Michael Buffo, director for "I Love Me," talks to RAW about his many influences and how he got into film. Be sure to RSVP to see a live screening of his collaborative efforts with Ali Zagari at the next Los Angeles showcase on Thursday, July 8th at Elevate Lounge! 

How did you first get started in film? 
My love for framing came from making skate videos as the West Coast Team Heelys Team Captain; a PR approach that the makers of the wheeled footwear took to get the word out about Heelys. I was invited to skate in their commercials after producing my own for the shoes.  Eight skate films later, I developed a fan base for my story-based approach to skating ... er ... Heely-ing.

Any other films you've produced?
A short film trilogy called "The Poor Cinema Series" in which each film was shot in a single evening in one location with 6-8 actors who improvised their dialogue from character descriptions and scene breakdowns. Commedia del'cinema, if you will. The results are really enjoyable character-driven shorts filmed with no budget.

Tell us about "I Love Me."
"I Love Me" is the story of how an investment broker looses his top client to a top commercial bank due to pressure from the economic shift and his subsequent natural downturn into despair.  Produced, written by, and starring Ali Zagari. I was enlisted by him to come on as the director/editor only. Ali is the creator of the story, the bringer together of the production, and is responsible for the quality of the content. I merely authored the cut under his demands.

From where do you draw inspiration for your work?
Great actors inspire me. Virtually every one of my films have been inspired by the talent of my close friends. To give them material no one else can; that inspires me.

Do you engage in, or draw inspiration from, any other forms of art? 
I'm an active actor, dancer, and skater. My purest moments come when I'm engaged in motion, free of excess thought, being a leader and follower at the same time. From this quiet place, I find my inspiration and jog down the road of the creative process.

When you are not filming, how do you like to spend your time? 
Ignoring my editing commitments. When that finally gets to me, I usually get to work and go full-force for a period of time. Once I start a project, I follow through until it's perfect. I may go past my deadlines but I don't stop until I'm proud.

All time favorite film?
"Match Point" by Woody Allen

Are there any filmmakers, past or present, who strongly inform and influence your work? 
Tito da Costa, Portuguese director of the surf/skate thriller I'm acting in, "Road to Red", (due out next spring) has been the most directly influential filmmaker in my career. With unbounded generosity, Tito has been my connection with tangible filmmaking in today's world. His grasp on the latest independent-accessible cameras and editing equipment and shortcuts is remarkable. Learn a thing or two at his blog www.radraven.com

Are there any specific reoccurring themes or subjects that you explore and deal with most in your work? 
The energy system of acting developed by Laura Fine of the Lionheart Institute of Los Angeles has been a driving force of my direction as a writer/director for the past five years. Focusing on developing a vocabulary for the unseen anatomy of the body with the actors has proved to be very effective for many directors.  As our society develops, so do our bodies. Our senses are growing as actors and as people. What we do with this advanced insight is up to us.

Any previous films/collaborations that you are most proud of? 
What does a giant 10ft canvas, a Krump battle, "Stomp the Yard", and rotten tomatoes have in common? The Artfight.  On June 27th @ 11pm, I produced a one-time performance-squatting event in a secret parking lot in the center of Hollywood. Directed by Dash Pepin, the ten members of our new theatre company, "Artnasty", performed a free, 45-minute performance piece to an audience of 100+ friends and fans. The result is a new genre; Graffiti Theatre.

Why showcase with RAW? 
RAW is taking an avenue of the purest intentions; supporting the artists themselves for their talents to speak to each other. I hope to take my turn on the wheel of networking that they have built. May the world greet me this summer with a firm hand and stairs to new levels of production.

Any current rising stars within the genre that you would recommend we look out for?
Shakespeare Santa Monica is performing for ten days beginning on July 24th "Love Labor's Lost" directed by my dear friend and brilliant stage director, Vincent Cardinale. The show will be an electrifying interpretation of a classic shakepeare comedy by giving the audience exactly what they want; relevance, inclusion, and full-cast dance romps on a tournament style tennis court! SSM always produces quality Shakespeare plays and this summer will be no different.