In the world of film, Rich Ronat has established himself as one of the most visionary and influential filmmakers of our time. With a career spanning over two decades. His ability to blend stories with emotional depth and visual brilliance has garnered him numerous accolades, as well as the admiration of colleagues and fans worldwide. In this interview, Rich offers us a rare glimpse behind the scenes of his work, what drives him, forming his production company Good Rebel Pictures (alongside his partner Laura Vale), the challenges of film production today, and his new film CULPRIT.
Can you tell us about your previous career and how you got into the film industry?
I always wanted to be in show business. I started out as an actor in New York when I was 18 years old. Then while I was struggling to make ends meet in my 20’s and 30’s, I worked as a bartender, waiter, personal trainer and even a bouncer at one point. I’ve always wanted to tell stories, so I always knew that showbiz was right for me.
What inspired you to become a film producer, and what challenges have you overcome in the process?
Putting myself in a position where I wasn’t dependent on others for a job is what inspired me to start producing my own films. Raising funds and finding the right people to work with is probably the most challenging. I’ve overcome any hesitation or fear when it comes to putting myself out there and being clear with what we need as a company.
Which projects have excited you the most in the past and why?
I get excited every time one of my screenplays gets made into a film. It’s always really fascinating to see how it ends up and how that connects or doesn’t connect to what was in my head when I wrote it. But I’m the most excited with what I’ll be directing next.
How do you choose the films or documentaries you want to work on? What are your criteria?
As a company we’ve chosen to focus on high quality thrillers in a similar tone to David Fincher. The two most important aspects for us are having a really strong story hook and excellent performances. We look for the perfect balance of multi-layered characters and a well-built plot.
Can you tell us more about your current project? What makes it special for you?
The film that’s coming out is called CULPRIT. It’s about a man that gets released from prison after 27 years. He originally went in for the murder of a nine-year-old girl. Her older sister never thought he was guilty, so she helped get him released. They decide to partner up and find out who the real killer was. But unfortunately, three days after he gets released, another
nine-year-old girl is murdered in the same fashion as the first. Making the audience question everything. This film is special because it’s my first time directing one of my scripts and the first film that is launching our production company, Good Rebel Pictures.
With which well-known actors or directors have you worked, and how was that experience?
I’ve worked as a screenwriter with Nicolas Cage, Kelsey Grammer, Alec Baldwin, Terrence Howard, Robert Patrick, Esai Morales and Tommy Flanagan. For me personally, every one of these actors were wonderful to work with. I learnt something from every one of them that I apply to my company.
What trends do you currently see in the film industry, and how do your projects fit into these trends?
I think the industry is going through a big change and doesn’t really know what it is at the moment. There are too many films and TV shows made that are all so different that it’s hard to see a current trend. I do know that our films will always fit into the current marketplace because they’re thrillers and there’s always an audience for that genre.
How do you see the future of film and entertainment in an increasingly digital world?
I think there will always be a need for a great story with great acting. I think people’s attention spans have definitely gotten shorter, so that’s always a challenge when it comes to building a story with depth. The digital world has made everything move so much faster.
Do you have any advice for aspiring producers or filmmakers looking to enter the industry?
I would say choose one job and get really good at what you do and the rest will take care of itself. And don’t take it personally when someone doesn’t get what you’re going for. There are a lot of people out there that want to see you fail and we can’t please everyone anyway.
What are your plans and goals for the coming years? Are there any future projects you can already talk about?
We plan to make one film a year in the thriller space. Our budgets will stay low and we’ll keep proving that we can make really high-quality films on a lower budget with excellent performances. And prove that when you put the story first, you can make a profit. We’ll eventually expand into doing two or three films a year and stay in the darker toned thrillers. We’re getting ready to start production on my new script that’s called SEVEN SUSPECTS. I’m
really excited about it. It’s in a similar tone to our first film but has even more mystery and suspense with a bit more action. It’s about an investigative journalist that goes back to her hometown to find out what happened to her younger sister. She has gone missing and there’s a burgeoning serial killer in town.
Our conversation with Rich Ronat has given us a fascinating insight into the world of film production and the thoughts of one of the most creative minds in the industry. His passion for storytelling and his relentless pursuit of artistic excellence are clearly evident. With a career that combines both commercial success and critical acclaim, Rich Ronat remains an inspiring figure in the film industry.
We sincerely thank Rich for his time and openness, and we look forward to seeing his upcoming projects on the big screen. His vision and dedication promise to continue delivering exciting and moving films that will captivate audiences worldwide.
Thank you for your time.
