Tell us a little bit about yourself. How did you get started writing and directing action films, especially films with comic book heroines?

Andy: It all started a long time ago…I was at home watching a tv movie, thinking I could do better than that, and then thought, ‘that’s what everyone says’…so I decided to really try to put together a movie. I did a 22 min film called “Dark Angel” (which I pitched to the Fox network in 1992, btw!) and it morphed into “Darkfury”, one of the very first all digital films ever made. It was a psychological thriller about a woman named Alexis who descends into madness, taking on the persona of her dead sister for revenge. Her sister was a champion gymnast killed by a stalker, and Alexis ends up wearing a modified version of her sister’s competition leotard.

By 1998, I was getting email from Darkfury fans around the world, asking me if I was going to do another ‘superheroine’ movie…I was shocked people in Germany and Australia and Japan had seen it! Some websites were saying it was the best superhero film ever made, (even comparing it to the big budget films!) and suddenly I was in demand.

I created “RetroGirl” in 1999, coming up with what I thought was an original superheroine character and everything took off since. I’ve done five episodes of RetroGirl and Episode Six has been ready for at least 2 years.
Since 1999, we have sales in 35 countries.

What attracted you to the Paula Peril project?

Andy: Though we’ve had plenty of success both critically and financially from our live action superheroine comic books on DVD, I wanted to stretch myself as a writer and include an ‘emotional journey’ in a new script that had been missing from my work (other than Darkfury). Paula Peril is a character that is not that far removed from what we do well, and yet, allows us to make a stretch—give her a back-story and emotional motivations for what she does. Paula Peril, the comic book character, is a natural fit for us.

“Midnight is the Darkest Hour” is an original story, not adapted directly from the comic. What was your inspiration?

Andy: In early discussions with Paula’s creator James Watson, we had chatted about what makes Paula fun and the imagery and story had come to me during the discussions. I’m a very big believer in plot structure and I had it ready as I was building what I call the ‘emotional superstructure’ of the movie.

I really wanted to give Paula Peril a solid emotional back-story that would be a great launching pad for any future Paula films, whether I’m attached to the project or not…I was flattered James trusted me enough to create so much of it.

I wrote the first draft of it in about 3 days, a 75 minute film on paper, and it was well received by James and everyone else who had read it.. People seemed surprised to see this level of depth in my writing after producing material that keeps the action on the surface only. It was a pleasure writing “Midnight is the Darkest Hour”

This project is a feature-length adventure, much more ambitious than many of the short films you’ve done over the last ten years. Why the decision to go “big” with this particular project?

Andy: We can do the RetroGirl, Black Talon, PowerCat and ActionGirl live action comic book movies in our sleep.. I wanted a challenge. Paula Peril: Midnight is the Darkest Hour gives me that. (maybe too much of a challenge at times!)..I want to have a full body of work, expanding beyond our original fan base into drama, horror, romantic comedy and so on, while still being able to pay the bills. Paula Peril, the character, is a natural transition for us at New Phoenix Filmworks.

How hard was it to find the “perfect” Paula Peril? Have there been any other unique challenges to producing this film?

Andy: There were definitely unique challenges. As a producer, finding perfection is a fool’s errand…I’ve been in the business long enough to know that moviemaking doesn’t have time for perfectionists….all you can do is seek out like-minded people who believe completely in your vision and together you all put the movie together with your combined gifts and patience.

I believe it was the great writer/producer/director Rod Serling who once said ‘you don’t write a script, you give into it.” He was just as much talking about the craft of moviemaking.

After 12 years as a moviemaker, I know you don’t make the movie, the movie makes you. You have to be willing to submit to the process, which is far bigger than you. Valerie Perez told me that, hopefully, “the film gods will smile down on you”…I know what she means and she’s absolutely right.

The perfect Paula Peril? Our first selection, Leanne Saint John is a beautiful, passionate talent, but our visions didn’t mesh and that happens in this business.

Our new Paula, Valerie Perez, is a sexy, more physical Paula… One look at Valerie and you can sense just underneath the surface is a primal, feral force that will be fun to direct and for Paula Peril fans to watch. I will never find perfect, but Valerie is damn close.

In the movie you will also play the role of “Slim” Jackson, Paula’s gruff but loyal Editor. How does it feel to be in front of the camera, not just behind it?

Andy: God, I hope I just can remember the lines! I do have a couple ad libs planned I hope are funny. Keep your fingers crossed!

It’s a challenge directing yourself, since I am very comfortable behind the lens and knowing exactly what I want…I used to act, so hopefully I can pull a decent performance out of myself!

When can we expect the release of the film, and how will people be able to buy and/or view the film?

Andy: I am hopeful we will debut Paula Peril at either the New York Comic Con in April 2008 or in Los Angeles . Paula Peril: Midnight is the Darkest Hour will be sold in DVD format , assuming of course we don’t manage a limited theatrical run.

Paula Peril:Midnight is the Darkest Hour will be sold online at www.paulaperilmovie.net and hopefully video stores, downloads online and comic book shops in summer, 2008.