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Phil Rice, aka Overman, has received a lot of critical acclaim for his film Male Restroom Etiquitte, and once you see it, it's easy to see why! The first comedy movie to win our award, it showed that a simple idea can be funny, and not all bathroom humor is for kids.
Sims99: What was your reaction to finding out that your film was chosen above all of the others as 'the best' for that month?
Phil: I was quite excited, knowing how competitive the award can be, and knowing that a good many voters on Sims99 are themselves filmmakers... it was quite an honor.
Sims99: Where did you draw inspiration from for this movie?
Phil: First and foremost from my cited source material, of course. As to styles, inspiration came from Douglas Adams (The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy), Monty Python, Saturday Night Live, and the Bob & Tom radio program.
Sims99: What was the most difficult shot or moment in your winning movie?
Phil: The most difficult shot, by far, was the one outdoor shot, involving police and a shooting. I had a very specific timing and feel I wanted, and it took quite a few takes to get that timing just right.
Sims99: How long was production time on this movie from start to finish?
Phil: Four months of screenplay & planning, two months of actual production. Six months total.
Sims99: What is your favorite scene in this movie?
Phil: My favorite scene is when Ralph and Chuck walk over to confront Sammy, and stare at him in shock and horror.
Sims99: Do you have a funny production story about this movie?
Phil: There were several points when a particular sim just started crying for no understandable reason. I captured a couple of these as outtakes and actually made a short follow-up film centered around them.
Sims99: Is there anything you would change about this movie, or were you 100% satisfied with the outcome?
Phil: I wish I had filmed with higher-resolution source video, to broaden my quality options in post-production. But as for the film itself, apart from tiny glitches here and there (which 99% of viewers won't even notice), I'm very very happy with the film.
Sims99: What future movie projects can we expect to see from you in 2007?
Phil: I'm currently at work on a music video, and have a mini-series planned for immediately after that. I'll probably complete at least one more project of significance in 2007, haven't yet decided which one to do (lots of ideas in the pot).
Sims99: Do you have some advice for new filmmakers?
Phil: Yes; find an active machinima-related forum, and get involved. Your best resource on the web is other filmmakers, many of whom are more than happy to share their knowledge with you. Secondly, my advice would be: Be prepared to work hard if you want a quality product; machinima is easy... good / successful machinima is generally a lot of hard work (but very rewarding).
Sims99: What was your favorite movie(s) featured on sims99 in 2006?
Phil: Tough choice, that, but I'll have to go with "Helena" by jaydee. Simply astounding editing.
Sims99: Of your OWN movies, which is your favorite and why?
Phil: I haven't yet made my favorite. :) Seriously. If forced to choose, I definitely like "Male Restroom Etiquette."
Sims99: Of your OWN movies, is there one you dislike or would have done differently and why?
Phil: No, I don't regret any of them at all.
Sims99: What do you like to see in a machinima movie?
Phil: I like machinima movies that make me forget (at least for a moment) about how they were made.
Sims99: What are your thoughts on the future of machinima in general?
Phil: Machinima has a future full of both promise and challenge. It is very open-ended, and depends largely on the choices filmmakers make today about what films to make.
Sims99: How did you get started making machinima?
Phil: I started by making game-centered films to entertain the audience immediately around me (fellow gamer friends), and grew from there.
Sims99: Do you see machinima as having big-screen potential in the future?
Phil: No, not really. But I don't find that disappointing either. I don't think the biggest potential in the future of entertainment lies on the big screen, but right here on the internet.
Sims99: What are your other hobbies besides making machinima?
Phil: I love to make music, and love to write and read. My biggest hobby right now is my young son; he's the best.
Sims99: Tell us something about yourself that’s plausible, but untrue, and something that’s unbelievable, but true.
Phil: I am not a compulsive liar. I have a sealed juvenile criminal record.
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