Tallgrass filmmaker questionnaire: Greg Norman, ‘The Boatman’

Greg Norman, director-writer-producer-editor, “The Boatman”

Currently residing in: Los Angeles

Genre(s): Suspense/drama

When is it screening? 12:15 p.m. Friday and 12:30 p.m. Sunday, both at the Scottish Rite

Tell us about your film in 10 words or less: As a Coyote (human smuggler) sneaks immigrants across the U.S. border, strange occurrences attempt to reveal his own truth.

Why were you drawn to tell this story? I thought it would be cool to see a bad man change to good from the final words of dying people he came across.

How long did you work on the film? Three years writing the script, eight months prepping, a four-week shoot, three months in post.

Who are directors you look up to/are inspired by: Terrence Malick, Steven Soderbergh, Krzysztof Kieslowski.

What’s your favorite film? “The Graduate.”

Do you prefer jumping off a cliff or taking the long, winding way down? Depends on the day I’m having.

Been to Wichita before? No, but I love the song “Seven Nation Army” by the White Stripes.

Be honest. Ever mutter the phrase, “Toto, I don’t think we’re in Kansas anymore”? Yes. Many times.

Any advice for aspiring filmmakers? You have to write your own stuff. If someone loves it enough, just say you won’t part with it unless you direct. Also, if you are going to raise the money yourself, write for the low budget: i.e., no car crashes, three locations at most, few characters.

Anything else you’d like to add? I was bummed I didn’t win the Stubbornly Independent Award at Tallgrass. I’ve been making low-budget films for 20 years, directed four distributed features, produced Jeremy Renner’s first film. Have taught many other aspiring filmmakers how to do it on the cheap. I am the extreme of Stubbornly Independent and proud of it!

This story was originally published October 14, 2015 at 2:31 PM with the headline "Tallgrass filmmaker questionnaire: Greg Norman, ‘The Boatman’."