HELLO AMERICA!—It’s good to know that our new breed of film writers and directors take time to explore cities and countries they plan to set their dramatic scenario on. Steven K. Proctor is one of those who plans a major film feature about Greece and its people. He is currently there living among the people who reside in the cities and countryside of that historical place.
MSJ: When did you decide that it was necessary to actually visit Greece that the script you’re writing is set in?
SP: Actually, I was discussing it with several friends of mine at UCLA and I realize that even though I knew much about Greece and its elaborate and fanciful history, I needed to go further than that; I needed to get close to the actual fiber of the country, taste the food, observe how the simple, working class people react to their daily problems and responsibilities. I needed to get closer to the young kids, those that linger in the street, those that depend on visitors of other countries. I had a hunger to know what the politics were actually like at this time in their history.
MSJ: Basically, what is your film about?
SP: It’s about three young guys who are about to go out on their own and how the reality of that transition forces them to look not only at themselves differently but their country as well and how they might fit in. The end result is quite dramatic, humorous and in some strange sense, sad.
MSJ: You’ve been over there for several weeks now, have you discovered many similarities to Americans?
SP: Yes, of course. You forget that America consists of every culture on the globe. The only difference is that the Greeks because of their history and traditions display a different kind of joy or love of family. They enjoy family dinners, celebrating almost anything and they enjoy spending hours dancing and relating insanely funny stories about themselves as well as their friends.
Whereas, we are similar back home but our daily lifestyle has forced us to be more concerned about a good job in order to afford a night out or investing in a family get-together as it was during the old days of our country. For the most part, I found especially those who reside in the country side of Greece are just basic folks who accept what they have and try to make the best of it. Frankly, it’s really like the early Americans who populated the villages of the east coast as well as that of our Midwest.
MSJ: I know you’re going to take advantage of the music there?
SP: You bet! When I first viewed “Never On Sunday” at U.C.L.A., I was even more convinced that I had to visit this country to capture the magic it definitely has. I also will have an international cast to give the balance it will need. I know this will be quite a journey, a challenge no matter how you look at it but it’s something I’ve dreamed of doing for quite some time. Now that I have the backing, I’m going to run with it and make it something we all can be proud of as film lovers.
MSJ: When do plan to complete the script?
SP: Oh, I’d say around November — we won’t go into production until spring of next year. So stay in touch because there will be a few surprises for everybody as far as casting. Hey, it’s going to be a lot of fun!
Steven K. Proctor Scouting Greece was originally published on San Francisco News
