Schulman shares his inspiration for the film, rooted in his youth spent in pool halls and a particular game of Kino he observed. This experience, combined with a challenge from his wife to write a female-centric story, led to the creation of Double Down South during the second year of the pandemic [2:02-3:22]. Addressing the gap between his projects, Schulman explains the challenges of getting movies made, noting that even though he has been active since his last notable projects, the lengthy development times can give the impression of inactivity. He discusses the industry’s evolution, highlighting the difficulty of breaking into Hollywood and the shift towards mid-range indie films financed by angel investors. Schulman emphasizes the love for cinema that drives independent filmmaking despite the financial constraints and challenges faced by the industry [3:33-5:11]. The conversation also touches on Schulman’s return to directing with Double Down South, his previous directorial work, and his perspective on storytelling within the con film genre. He elaborates on the importance of power dynamics and character status in creating engaging narratives, particularly in films involving high-stakes scenarios like gambling [5:13-10:00]. Schulman offers advice to indie filmmakers, encouraging persistence and creativity in the face of an industry that seems more accessible yet challenging to navigate. He suggests that new technologies and platforms offer unprecedented opportunities for storytellers, even with limited budgets, pointing out the potential for innovative, low-cost productions to break through [10:16-11:47]. Finally, Schulman reminisces about the creation and unexpected success of Dead Poets Society, detailing the journey from script rejection to eventual production and acclaim. He reflects on the film’s enduring impact, attributing its success to the collaborative effort of the cast and crew, led by director Peter Weir and star Robin Williams [11:48-16:21]. Double Down South is available now on Video On Demand.
