DMF Episode 223 Film Director Paul Todisco Part 3 "You Won't Believe What Happened Making Freak Talks About Sex"

Welcome to the DMF. Where I try to find out what motivates people behind the scenes in the world of acting and entertainment. Today on the podcast I am talking to Paul Todisco. He is a director and we are talking his film: Freak Talks About Sex. As always you can reach me on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook with my name Justin Younts. Thank you for listening and sit back and enjoy. Welcome to the DMF. I'm Justin Younts. This is part three. So, how does Freak Talks About Sex come about? It all started when I was searching for my first movie to make. I met Jim Daddabo, a good friend of mine now, who produced Freak Talks About Sex. We bonded over our shared hometown of Syracuse and his college roommate's unpublished novel, which inspired the film. The journey to finance the movie was challenging, taking two years and involving various investors. We shot it on 35mm Panavision cameras, a point of pride for us at the time. The film captures the essence of Syracuse living and the struggles of young adulthood, reminiscent of films like Kicking and Screaming and Clerks. I aimed for authenticity in the dialogue, ensuring it felt real and relatable. The film explores themes of apathy and the longing for escape, resonating with today's generation. Despite some challenges with the final cut and music choices, I believe the heart and soul of the film remain intact. The title, Freak Talks About Sex, was a fun and quirky choice, but it faced pushback from distributors who wanted to change it to something less provocative. This experience highlights the conservative attitudes towards such topics in the industry at the time. Overall, I hope the film speaks to viewers and encourages them to reflect on their own lives and choices. 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:00:10 - How Freak Talks About Sex Came About 00:01:45 - Challenges in Financing and Making the Movie 00:02:48 - Discussion on the Movie's Style and Dialogue 00:05:01 - The Setting of the Movie 00:05:53 - Discussion on the Character's Development 00:10:31 - The Authenticity of the Acting 00:11:50 - Thoughts on Possible Changes to the Film 00:15:05 - Discussion on the Title of the Movie 00:15:30 - Reflections on the Movie's Title 00:16:09 - The Misconceptions Around the Movie's Title 00:16:36 - The Challenges of Filming in Public Locations 00:17:17 - Humorous Thoughts on Filming in a Mall 00:17:53 - Closing Remarks and Call to Action