Vincent D'Onofrio was one of the 2010 Sarasota Film Festival's several celebrities during the event’s closing weekend April 16 – 18 in Sarasota, Fla. He appeared at the screening of his directorial debut, a slasher musical movie called Dont Go in the Woods Friday and Saturday nights. Steve Persall of the St. Petersburg Times posed questions to D'Onofrio during the "In Conversation Series" at Florida Studio Theatre on Sunday. Over the course of the weekend, D'Onofrio answered questions ranging from his new film project called “Johnny and Me” to guest appearances on “Law and Order: Criminal Intent” and advice to aspiring filmmakers.
Vincent D’Onofrio Discussed New Project, Johnny and Me
After reading an article in Brain, Child magazine about an 8-year-old girl with autism who learned to communicate through the world of Cinderella, Vincent D'Onofrio was inspired to write Johnny and Me with Joe Vinciguerra and Sam Bisbee. He will direct the film about a fifty-something-year-old man with Asperger's syndrome who communicates through the history and music of Johnny Cash. The lead character's 18-year-old daughter enters his life and the two bond as father and daughter while traveling through the Southern United States and connect through Johnny Cash.
According to D'Onofrio Johnny and Me is a $3 to $5 million movie and although he has the financial backing, he has not found the right actor to cast the lead character. He told the audience he wrote the part for himself but does not have the time to handle the financing, direct and act. The Johnny Cash Estate granted permission for D'Onofrio to use Cash's history and music in the film.
Vincent D’Onofrio Offered Advice to Aspiring Filmmakers
Aspiring filmmakers asked D’Onofrio for advice. He suggested they "keep the budget low as possible, don't take 'no' from anybody" and "remind your crew and people around you when asked if something can be done the answer is always 'yes.'"
Vincent D’Onofrio encouraged aspiring screenwriters to "write" and "stop talking about it and do it. It's not what people say it's what people do," he continued. "The only true artists that I have ever met in my life do not procrastinate, ever. They do instead of say."
He then suggested having friends and family read the story to ensure people can understand what is being said. Once a script is complete, D’Onofrio said to write another one. As for selling it, he recommended attending a film festival with a complete script and find a way to connect with producers and have them read it. According to the actor, "It doesn’t matter who you are, producers like material. It doesn't matter who wrote it they don't care as long as it's good and it’ll make a good movie."
Does Vincent D'Onofrio Think He’s Sexy?
Dressed in a black dress shirt, black slacks and black flip-flops during Sunday's conversation, D'Onofrio was asked whether he considered himself sexy. No, he does not but considers himself "talented."
Will Vincent D’Onofrio Make a Guest Appearance on Law & Order: Criminal Intent?
When asked Saturday night if he will be making guest appearances as Det. Bobby Goren on the television show Law & Order: Criminal Intent, D’Onofrio responded, "I hope not," which garnered laughter from the audience.
"It was 8 years and I thank you if you are a fan of Criminal Intent, I appreciate you sticking with me all those years," he said, "I couldn't think of any reason to stay there any longer other than the money and that's just not good enough for me."
D’Onofrio apologized to fans for leaving the NBC show but said, "I'll be around."
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