August 5, 2004

Lights! Camera! Action!

Local filmmaker shoots movie in Almaden

By Jeanne C. Lewis
Staff Writer

“Somewhere deep in the woods lies the secret answer to man’s demons. Somewhere in the heart of the city sits an unsuspecting prey. The man meets the myth in this comic nightmare.” —Raging Cyclists

For local Almaden filmmaker Sean McCarthy, acting, directing, writing and cinematography, was the only vocation he ever considered, even as a young child.

“There was nothing else I was born to do other than make movies,” the 23-year-old McCarthy said about his passion for cinema.

Though it may sound presumptuous to make the statement at such a young age, McCarthy is very serious. His obsession with filmmaking began at the age of 3, sitting on his father Dermott’s lap, his heart pounding wildly, watching “Ghostbusters.” That’s when the dream began. For two and a half years he had nightmares of Sigourney Weaver’s red dress from the blockbuster and the chant “who you gonna call?” McCarthy imagined catching ghosts or being a boxer like Rocky or a cop in “Die Hard.”

At 7, McCarthy understood that the parts he fantasized about were actors and they could be anyone they desired in the parts played. At ages 11 and 12, his study of the craft took him to roles by character actors Dustin Hoffman and Robert DeNiro and watching films like “Carlito’s Way,” “Pulp Fiction,” “Clockwork Orange,” and “Casino.”

He studied movies, magazines and books, anything to do with acting. Landing a part-time job at ABC Video [now Almaden Roasting Company], he watched his way through thousands of titles of movies studying style and content while developing a special affinity to directors Scorcese, Kubric and Malek. Attending Leland High School film class, he worked with camera equipment and by the time he was 19, created over 50 short and feature films of spec commercials, comedies akin to “Saturday Night Live” skits, experimental movies and music videos.

Along the way McCarthy accumulated an ensemble group of actors and filmmaking enthusiasts: Ephraim Joseph, William Gharapetian, Ameen Moslehi, Ameen Moslehi and McCarthy’s sister Syra whom he calls “a natural actor.”

And “Guerrilla Wanderers Films—” a military-type style of Movie Company that does it all—was born. McCarthy wrote, directed, produced, edited and shot cinematography on his current endeavor, “Raging Cyclists.”

The team effort included Joseph as lead actor and graphic designer and sister Syra as actress and makeup artist. Moslehi acted, edited, wrote and is selling tickets. And they all helped moved equipment to the many local locations.

“It’s a lot of hard work,” said Ephraim Joseph, lead actor in “Raging Cyclists.” “Sometimes there would only be four or five of us working on a scene, but Sean is a great leader, keeping everything organized. And it’s a good movie, mixing fun with fantasy.”

“I was there in the beginning,” says William Gharapetian who plays the devil in “Raging Cyclists.” “We worked on videos and other short films but with the new film, Sean has taken it to the next level. It’s very authentic and professional.”

“Sean’s very dedicated to the craft of filmmaking,” agrees Ameen Moslehi. “At times he’s very demanding because the work is so important to him. He takes it very seriously. It’s what he wants to do in life.”

Made on a shoestring budget of $12,000, “Raging Cyclists” was filmed in San Jose with many locations in Almaden—Quicksilver and Jeffrey Fontana Parks, the back alley of the Malibu Grill, even the Albertson’s parking lot at Meridian and Redmond.

McCarthy financed the film with odd jobs; deli maker at Albertson’s, security guard, acting jobs, directing a music video with San Jose rapper Jay the Butcher, coaching for Kids Love Soccer, selling credit cards and with “a little help from my father at the end.” He considers his various jobs as expanding his mind for future scripts and acting parts.

“I wouldn’t change a thing,” McCarthy said about the 18-hour days and scraping together funds for equipment. “There’s nothing else I want to do but write, direct and act.”

McCarthy’s laughs about the four times the San Jose Police Department showed up at the film crew’s locations, alerted by nervous residents, witnessing guns and blood [actually a mix of karo and Hershey chocolate syrup]. In one incident, the SWAT team arrived with weapons pointed, handcuffed the crew and confiscated the camera equipment. Now, McCarthy alerts the police before filming.

“Raging Cyclists” is McCarthy’s third feature. It is a blend of mystery, action, dark fantasy and absurd humor along the lines of filmmakers like the Cohen brothers and Sam Rhamy. Premiering at Camera 7 in the Pruneyard Aug. 12 and 17 at 7 p.m., the director and cast will attend to meet their public.

While still promoting “Raging Cyclists,” McCarthy is already planning his next film project. His goal is to show the independent movie at Cinequest, Sundance, Telluride and foreign film festivals. And wherever his promising career takes him, he plans to live and operate Guerilla Wanderers Films in San Jose.

Raging Cyclists
Not Rated
Cast: Ephraim Joseph, William Gharapetian,
Richard Ajlouny and Syra McCarthy
Writer-Director: Sean McCarthy
Running time: 30 minutes
Premier: Camera 7 at the Pruneyard in Campbell
Aug.12 & 17 at 7 p.m.
For info: Call (408) 422-1549
or e-mail info@guerillawanderersfilms.com