Ask Mr. Pirro
AN ULTRA LOW BUDGET FILM PRODUCTION COMPANY
Feature films, music videos, trailers, commercials, etc.
AN ULTRA LOW BUDGET FILM PRODUCTION COMPANY
Feature films, music videos, trailers, commercials, etc.
Hi Mr.Pyro this is Taylor and Jasira film majors at purchase college and we have recently discovered your body of work, currently working our way through the movies, so far we have rectuma, the god complex, the curse of queer wolf, rage of innocence we have a few questions for you. What were your original aspirations as a young film maker, and how did that change throughout the course of the films you produced and directed and are your proud of the body work you have made? Our second question is how has your Relationship with your recurring actors developed… Read more »
Hi! I was just wondering if you had any thoughts on the chance of My Mom’s a Werewolf getting any kind of HD restoration or special edition? I realize somebody else wound up directing that film, but you still wrote it, and I’d love to see a high quality scan of it with a commentary by you one day.
PIRRO REPLY: I have nothing to do with that film, so I couldn’t tell you.
SAG vs Financial Core- Here is yet another question regarding this issue.I want to be a stunt performer in the film industry. I am currently a member of SAG but seriously considering declaring Financial Core status so I can build my resume on various projects. Is there anything that says that I have to be a SAG member to work in stunts? Or is Fi- Core considered to be equal in that venue? Thanks for any info you can provide!<
I’m from Argentina and I’m dying to see your movies but I can’t find them anywhere.what should I do?
Is it worth it to shoot on a Panasonic DVX100B? Will no one release the movie unless it’s HD?
And is it suicide to go Ultra Low Budget Sag to cast one union actress on a movie with less than $5000 bucks?
I just found about SAG FI-Core!?? I am in SAG and wanted some more info. I just paid a substantial amount of money to join the SAG union and would not want to destroy a career before it gets started. Is there any info that I could get from SAG regarding the issue? I really want to know the ends in outs before I make a move. Are there any draw backs, will it affect my union status in anyway, besides some people giving me a hard time. I am interested becuase of the number 1 reason.work.jobs were not knocking… Read more »
Hi Mark: I was reading all your fi core information. I’m was planning on sending a letter to SAG soon to go Fi core but was looking for a name to send it to. Do you know of a specific person at in SAG’s legal department that handles this? I want to make sure my certified letter gets to the right person, and really don’t want to call SAG and get into some type of energy draining argument about why Fi Core is not the way to go. A source a while back said to send it to: Asst. Mngr.… Read more »
Deathrow Gameshow was one of my favorite movies. I caught it on HBO back in 1988, or somewhere in that era, and was just wondering what Beano is up to. Do you still keep in contact with him? If so, will he ever be in another movie? What about John Mccafferty, plan on using him . Thought he did a great job as Chuck Toedan, and would like to see him in some upcoming movies if possible.
Mr. Pirro, I’m a big fan, who, like you have worked on many Super 8 films. My question to you is this: After your shot at working within the studio system (Deathrow Gameshow), were you ever offered to direct any other 35mm movies? If so, have you turned any offers down?
Hi, Congrats on your body of work! I have tons of production experience (directing, lighting, shooting, editing, mixing, etc.) and am itching to make my first no budget film. How much should I make my movie for to keep it profitable if I’m planning on self-distributing? Thanks!
Talking muhammad? You`ve got balls!! I `m a huge fan!
Hey Mark. It’s Anthony from the stage production of Nudist Colony. Just found out about you’re new film The God Complex and can’t wait to see the final product!
Hope all is well and we have another reunion someday!
Please put me down on your list of prospective orders for your Talking Mohammad. (I was on your list for Submissive Jesus, and I’m delighted with it!)
contact me at jobar2 at earthlink dot net
Hi Mark,
It’s a shame you don’t have a 1-900 line to answer questions about Financial Core. It could be a retirement income.
So, I wanted to ask you if since spoke to Eddie Deezen or if he’s ever complained about profit sharing in your films. I think he’s a typical actor d*ck that never made it anywhere but had a huge ego.
PS. Your films are inspiring and funny as hell.
I ‘ve become aware of your films only recently. I own Nudist colony of the Dead and Polish Vampire. They’re both really funny and smart. I’ve seen so many big budget films that are total crap, because they have neither of these features. Money is wasted without a story, and with a story, even humble productions are worth rewatching. I’m glad to hear you are working on a new film. I see you are still going the frugal DIY way. Have you ever been offered a bigger buget production, or do prefer your own style of guerilla film making? Best… Read more »
I was doing some random Google searches and I came across your site. I became excited because I thought I might be able to finally get one of my all time favorite flicks Deathrow Game Show on DVD. But all I found was the poster. Will this movie ever be available on DVD or should I treasure my VHS copy?
Hello Mark! I played the Weenie Wagger in RetarDEAD, and your character describing what I was doing while oogling that girl had me in stitches! Would love to be in one of your films someday! Cheers!
I pray for you.
Mark! It’s finally great to see that you got Nudist Colony of the Dead on DVD! Since I was one of the stars of the film, does that mean I get a free copy or do I have to buy one like everybody else?
I’m eligible to join SAG but am considering SAG Core. At this point in my career I need to be working both union and non union. If in the future I am successful enough to want to be totally union, what is the process of switching from SAG Core to SAG? I head they may not let you at all.
Mark,
I’m doing a film set in a nudist resort. My distributor referred me to you. I have SAG actors who were wondering what the penalties would be if they worked on a non-union film. I told them our films are so below the radar, they’ll never find out. Or will they?
Do you remember one of your first 8mm films in which I starred as an evil professor? We shot it in your garage, bedroom and yard in Ithaca.
Wow, what is going on in your lives? What drives a person to spend his time and efforts doing a work like this. I hope you find the truth in all your searching.
hello guys, ive been in one of your films, i wrote my name down, Its Daniel Meza, i signed a contract to be in your film. it was filmed in palmdale. so i saw one of your videos, it is really great, good editing. everything came out perfect. check out my videos on youtube when in this website seach tagdata12 in the search bar. watch the following videos, FIGHT NIGHT, THE LITTLE ROCK MASSARCRE, WATCH YOUR BACK, DANIEL GOT HIT BY A CAR, GRREEN SCREEN TEST. The rest of the videos arent really movies. but i edit and Directed all… Read more »
Mark-
Just curious about what cameras you’re using these days. Have you gone from 8/16mm film to mini DV? If so, what are you using Canon GL2, Sony? Please advise.
Hey-remember me from the good old Universal Days. I live!!! I might be visiting L.A, this summer. How can I contact you without all my fans knocking at my door
Do you have any new footage from “The God Complex”?
I love what you have at your site so far, and am wildly aroused to see where this classic tale is heading.
When will you be making your next addition?
Keep up the great work!
Since I wrote last I got a letter from SAG saying I have to write another letter and turn in my SAG card. And then I would be a dues paying non member. It seems scary.but I can do union and nonunion work right?
I wrote to the SAG ranch In LA requestingto “to go Fi-core”
I have been SAG more than 10 years. Its beeen a week and no response. How will they respond and how long?
Hi Mark.I am truly considering CORE after 20 years in SAG as I am so tired of not working and seeing all the non-union auditions out there. So ONE: can a SAG production refuse to audition a CORE actor just beccause they are CORE?(I’ve heard they do), and TWO: can you still serve on SAG commitees if you are CORE, as I am on one that will meet in the fall, but I would like to go CORE now!
I’m Just wondering, if you look up a movie like “Pauly Shore is Dead” in the SAG Signatory database (can’t post URLs here, but it’s available on SAG’s website) and the production doesn’t appear there, then is it safe to assume that this production is a non-union film? Alright, now if you plug “Pauly Shore is Dead” into IMDB’s database, you’ll get a list of actors who appeared in that film. (There are some pretty big names.) So, if this project isn’t a SAG signatory, yet these celebrities have appeared in other SAG films, then would it be correct to… Read more »
you say all health and other benefits are not affected by going sag financial core.i have 13 pension years in sag and would like to know if these would be affected if i go financial core, and if i would be able to continue to earn pension years while financial core.and while i greatly appreciate your lead in making available information on this important issue, would you be able to refer me to your source material for statements on health and pension benefits being retained (or not) under sag financial core.thanks much, i know personally that many fellow actors in… Read more »
thanks for the advice two years ago
you said work on my punctuation and communication skills i was using joke slang
as many do i have since made two films that have sold on dvd and broadband i have made the money i need to open a £300,000 animation studio and have four projects i am working on inc one i hope to sell via cable/and sky.not bad for a stupid git from england
HI Mark,
I’m still not sure what Fi-core is. I have been non union on films in Philadelphia. I’ve done two SAG exempt movies so far. I would like to get in on another movie starting in April. The casting director put this Fi-core designation on people submitting for roles. Can you explain further?
I saw that you have a remastered copy of Nudist Colony of the Dead on DVD, I just wanted to know what is the DVD region for this product?
Cheers!
Dear Mr. Pirro,
A few years ago you wrote a couple of pieces on A Polish Vampire In Burbank and Curse Of The Queerwolf for our book on independent 80’s films. The book is now finished and we’d like to send you a copy. If you could email your mailing address to succubuspress@hotmail.com, we’ll get the book right out to you. Thanks!
On the “rectuma” preview, what is that music that plays in the background at the very beginning, as it says something to the effect of “sometimes an audience looks for a film with elegance and taste.” and shows the couple by the beach in the moonlight?
Thanks for your fast response. I was asking, because I will be auditioning for a new animation studio soon, and I believe they will be non-union. It is also good to know that you intend to take care of your crew. Kudos
Hey Mark, I went fi-core 2 and a half years a go, but recently made a poor decision. I let sag scare me back into being a full sag member with their letters this past fall. Here is my situation: I sent them a letter in December, but have not heard anything definite yet, but they said as long as it got in before 2008 then I was good. I would have to pay $400 to re join that I haven’t paid yet. Now, I am being asked to do some good non-union jobs that I want to do. Could… Read more »
So, reading what I have read, you pay no residuals whatsoever, even if it becomes a blockbuster and makes million$. Is this correct? What is the average non-union payment for an actor in a film?
Good afternoon, Browsing the internet, I came across your website (most impressive I might add). As a hobby-of-sorts, I collect memorabilia from “B”-grade monster flicks, mainly from the 50’s-60’s timeframe. I would like to inquire whether you are able to obtain/sell any 8 x 10 images (stills) from a movie entitled “Beach Girls and the Monster” (aka “Monster from the Surf”), in particular of a certain actress (Sue Casey)? I do own the DVD (which has an excellent film gallery) but would like to obtain 8 x 10 movie stills (including “behind-the-scenes”, etc.); unfortunately, I do not have a home… Read more »
Hi Mark and crew! I am an actor who has not been able to get an acting gig for a quite some time. A friend of mine just told me about Financial Core. I put it in Google and your page popped up on a couple of links. Thanks for the great info! I am filing for it ASAP! How many hundreds of non-union projects have I missed out on because I am SAG and did not submit!??!!! I am sending you my picture and resume in hopes that you will consider me for future projects. I look forward to… Read more »
I used to have a copy of Deathrow Gameshow in the VCR format. Loved it! Been looking for a DVD copy for some time.
Did you pick out the drag outfit you wore at the end of Queerwolf? And is there anyone who’s been working with you on your movies since roughly the beginning? (I’m not referring to the things you did as a kid)
I have not seen any of your work but I applaud you and your company for helping actors act and giving them opportunity and information.
How and where do you sell your films? How do you find distributors?
I went fi core last July and now I received a letter from SAG that states that I have until Dec 31 of this year to reapply or I won’t be eligible to reapply. I know they are wonderful with their scare tactics and with their legal double talk, do you know if I should take this seriously or should I ignore them.
Hi Mark.I am fi core and have not yet qualified for health and pension.If i do qualify next year,am i entitled to these benefits
Thank you for your Fi-core info. I have until Friday to change my mind with SAG/AFTRA. How do I list my resume? SAF – Fi Core? Also they have asked me to return my cards.
Just wondering if you know what the form to be sent into WGA for Financial Core looks like as I am seriously considering it.
Can Sag ever for any reason kick you out permanently if you go financial core. Do you have to take a leave of absence then reapply to get member status?<
Keep up this great resource.