Frank Cappello

The Filmmaker

BIO

Frank came to Hollywood with a script under his arm and the proverbial dream to make movies.  That script sold in a matter of months and writing became his way into the film industry.  Frank has Written and rewritten many films including “Constantine” starring Keanu Reeves.

Itching to direct, Frank wrote and directed a short film “The Ivory Tower” that got accepted into Academy consideration and was shown before features in theaters around Los Angeles.  Producers saw the short and Frank landed his first directing job on “American Yakuza” starring up and coming actor Viggo Mortensen (Green Book).  Frank went on to direct another rising star, Russell Crowe in Tristar’s “No Way Back.”  Frank also wrote, directed and produced the indie film “He Was A Quiet Man” starring Christian Slater, William Macy and Elisha Cuthbert.  The film won several festival awards including Best Picture and Best Director.  It also found itself listed as “One of the Top 10 Indie Films of the 2000’s.”

DIRECTOR’S STATEMENT  / One Man – One Movie

As a filmmaker, I’m attracted to projects that aren’t just one thing. Be it a thriller, action flick, comedy, drama or a simple character study. I like to mix it up, and in a time when documentaries are starting to outnumber narratives, I believe that this kind of variety creates an unpredictability that many narratives lack.

I’ve always envied Documentary  filmmakers because most are “one man bands” and rarely have to schedule crew or actors in order to shoot their project.  Most can gather their footage over months or years and then shape the story in the editing room, much like a writer creates a first draft, then polishes it.  Problem is, I don’t want to make documentaries, but I’ve always wondered – could a narrative film be shot in the same relaxed, introspective manner? 

The challenge would be ONE Film Artist making One Feature Film with no crew – no post crew – just themselves and the actors.  The goal, as I see it, would be making a film that would have to be good enough for any mainstream audience to watch, accept – and enjoy – without ever knowing the limitations under which it was made.  Steele Wool would become my answer to that challenge.   

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