Andre Brassil

He is the director and producer of Eve Was Star Dollar Baby film.
SKSM: Tell us about yourself, who is Andre Brassil and what do you do or have you done?
Andre Brassil: I’m a filmmaker in Texas. I’ve been making short films for a few years now. I love making movies and writing. I’m currently in pre-production on a feature film and I’m finishing work on my first novel.
SKSM: When was the point that you thought I wanted to make movies?
Andre Brassil: Since I was a kid, I knew I loved telling stories. When I was a teenager, I started making little short films with my parent’s VHS, 8mm and MiniDV cameras. I didn’t know how feasible it would be to have a career in film but after I graduated college I made my first short film that I crowdfunded the budget for.
SKSM: When did you make Eve Was Star? Can you tell me a little about the production? How much did it cost? How long did it take to film it?
Andre Brassil: The film was shot a few years ago. Production took place primarily in the summer because I was working as a high school teacher at the time. The first version of the short film was very long. I think it was about 50 minutes. We shot the final scene, which was the Halloween party in September and then we did a little bit of reshoots the following year.
SKSM: Why did you choose Nona and not, for example, another story?
Andre Brassil: I looked at the options that Stephen King had for Dollar Baby stories and “Nona” was the only story that I felt I could tell. For me, it wasn’t just about just adapting a story but about finding a story that I could relate to and add to in some way. I needed to have a connection to the material. With “Nona” I knew that I could tell a story that felt personal to me.


SKSM: Why do you think people like this story so much?
Andre Brassil: King is a masterful storyteller. Whether you like it or not, he will put you inside the world that he creates. King’s expertise is taking something relatable and putting it in an extreme circumstance. I think “Nona” ultimately tells a story about regret and falling into your baser desires when you’re in a vulnerable place, and those are things that most people can relate to.
SKSM: You are the director, writer, producer, actor, DP and the editor, how did you experience that?
Andre Brassil: Well, as an actor I only had a small cameo. Producing, directing and writing are all similar enough jobs in the sense that you’re trying to bring a vision to screen. They are difficult in different ways in terms of their daily challenges, but the result is the same. The hardest part of juggling those responsibilities is just knowing what hat you’re wearing and when. This was the first film I worked on where I was also the cinematographer. I knew the shots that I wanted and thought it would be an interesting process to save time explaining them to someone and instead go through the time of trying to get them myself. I think of myself as more naturally a writer than anything else but it’s all about the final vision, what’s on the screen. Everything must serve that vision, but it can absolutely be a challenge to try and switch between what those different roles require.
SKSM: How did you know about the Dollar Baby program? Was it a wild guess?
Andre Brassil: I’ve been a fan of Stephen King since I was a kid. I’ve also loved a lot of filmmakers who have adapted Stephen King. I’m not entirely sure how I initially learned about the Dollar Baby program, but it may have been when reading about Frank Darabont’s career and how he made his Dollar Baby short.


SKSM: Are there any easter eggs hidden in the film?
Andre Brassil: Absolutely. There’s one about Castle Rock and the main character’s fake name being Nona while they are in the car. Obviously, there’s a Shining reference there with the mirror reveal as well.
SKSM: Can you tell us something about the filming process? What is easy or difficult? What did you have in mind?
Andre Brassil: Films are always difficult. Shooting days were often long. When you’re working independently, you have to work around people’s schedules a lot. The majority of the shoot took place while I was on summer vacation from teaching but we filmed mostly during weekends due to people’s schedules.
SKSM: Was there a funny and/or special moment during production that you would like to share with us?
Andre Brassil: We had a scene that ended up being cut from the final film where Norm who picks up the hitchhiking Eve and Peter is killed. We had set up a moment where his throat is slashed and begins to spew blood. Because of how tightly packed we were and the limited crew, the actress who plays Eve had to be the one pumping the blood. It turned out well and it was a great reminder of the fantastic cast and crew I had. Everyone was game and willing to get their hands dirty.


SKSM: What do you think about the existence of a Dollar Baby community? Were you aware of this before?
Andre Brassil: I did to a certain extent, but I’ve learned more about it recently. I think it’s fantastic! Filmmakers are very varied. Some are more introverted than others. I think it’s very special when they can talk to each other and relate.
SKSM: Production is over. Are there thoughts that make you think now, we could have done this differently?
Andre Brassil: Filmmaking is a lot like yearbook photos. One year on and it’s all embarrassing, five years on and it’s pure joy. There’s a lot I would have done differently now but I’m very happy with the film and the work everyone put into it. The film exists in a time and a place and that’s where it should be. I’m very proud of the work that was done on “Eve Was Star” and looking back, I’m happy with it.
SKSM: Were any movie fragments cut out that you now miss?
Andre Brassil: I still have the longer version of the film saved. I think a lot of those scenes work by themselves, but they didn’t work in the short film as a whole. It was important for me that the film was as concise as possible. One scene that I liked a lot was between Eve and Peter after their first kill. It was a slower scene that had a bit of dialogue between them that helped to expand and clarify their characters a bit. Unfortunately, there were some issues with the sound on that scene and it couldn’t be fixed. That’s a scene that I miss, but ultimately the film has a better pace now that it’s not there.
SKSM: What are you thinking of the end result of the film?
Andre Brassil: I hope it’s a good short film. I think it is. We all worked hard to make it work as a story and I think it works as a visual piece.
SKSM: What was your main goal you wanted to achieve about this film?
Andre Brassil: I made a few short films before “Eve Was Star” and the main goal for me was always very simple: get better at doing the art that you love.
SKSM: Can you describe the feeling when the film was finished and how the film was received after viewing?
Andre Brassil: Any filmmaker will tell you a film is never finished; someone taps you on the shoulder and says it’s time to walk away. As an independent filmmaker, sometimes that someone is your intuition. There’s always a lot of relief when something is done. The first time you view your film, you should hate it, that’s the nature of it. Eventually, and with a few edits you’ll come to accept and hopefully love it.
SKSM: What did you think of the film adaptation itself and are you satisfied with the result?
Andre Brassil: Guillermo del Toro has a great quote about adaptation: “It’s like marrying a widow. You try to be respectful of the memory of the dead husband, but come Saturday night . . . bam.” I’m not sure how well it works as an adaptation for someone who is looking for a straight adaptation of the story. My job as a filmmaker is to make the story work as a film. I do, however, feel like there’s parts of that story that I told that other filmmakers wouldn’t have done. I’m satisfied that I told the story I wanted to, and I hope other people also enjoy it.
SKSM: Why did you changed the original title from Nona into Eve Was Star?
Andre Brassil: The name Nona to me felt like a product of its time or at least a place I didn’t know. Once I decided I didn’t want to tell a period story, the name had to change and once that changed, I felt like there was a plethora of ideas that came from that. It was the right name for this version of the story. The name of a work should be specific to the work. Nona wouldn’t have fit this story; it had to fit into the themes of the film specifically.
SKSM: Originally, your film adaptation was released in 2022. Why was your film released in 2024 again?
Andre Brassil: When you’re working independently you have the advantage and disadvantage of working on your own schedule. The original 50-minute cut of the film was done in 2022. It was a version that I think has its merits but wasn’t my ideal version of the film. Unfortunately, I had some health issues that stalled a lot of my work. Luckily, those have been resolved. It wasn’t until 2024 that I was able to revisit the footage and bring it down to the version that it is now.


SKSM: You direct, write, act, produce and edit. How do you do this and what do you like most?
Andre Brassil: They all have different parts that I enjoy. I feel most at home in writing and that’s probably my favorite. Directing is difficult work but exhilarating. Producing is all problem solving but that can be rewarding as well. Editing is also a lot of fun. It’s demanding and painful but when it works, it’s beautiful.
SKSM: Are you a Stephen King fan? If so, which are your favorite works and adaptations?
Andre Brassil: I am. I love his short stories. “The Green Mile” and “The Shawshank Redemption” are perfect films and great examples of adaptation. I love, despite the liberties, Kubrick’s “The Shining” as well as the recent “It” films. From a reader perspective, “Carrie” is a fantastic and heartbreaking book. From a filmmaker perspective, I think the adaptations of “Hearts in Atlantis” and “Secret Window” deserve second viewings and revisiting.
SKSM: If you could produce or direct another Stephen King story into a (short-)movie, what would it be and why?
Andre Brassil: I always thought I could make a great “Dr. Sleep” movie. It was already adapted, and I think it was done well. I would have done things differently but that’s the nature of adaptation. Of works that haven’t been done, maybe “Revival”.
SKSM: What do you think of Stephen King as a writer?
Andre Brassil: I think he’s fantastic. Any writer who doesn’t give King his flowers at this point I think needs to reevaluate themself before anything. I read “On Writing” years ago, if you’re young and would like to be writer I think that’s a great text to start with.
SKSM: What are you working on nowadays?
Andre Brassil: I just recently submitted a documentary I finished last year for distribution. No word yet on when it’ll be available but hopefully soon. I’m in pre-production now on my first feature film but I can’t say too much about that yet.
SKSM: What is in the top 5 on your bucket list? (Everything is possible and nothing is too strange)
Andre Brassil: Wow. That’s a good question! Let me see…
1. Make feature films
2. Have novels published
3. Travel more, I’d love to go back to Europe and Brazil and road trip again across the United States
4. Work with some of my heroes
5. Design my own studio and home
SKSM: What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you?
Andre Brassil: I was born in Brazil and am half Brazilian. I’d love to connect more to that culture in the future.


SKSM: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Andre Brassil: I’d love to still be working creatively. Hopefully in 5 years I’ll have a few films finished and be working on my next one.
SKSM: Thank you for taking the time for the interview. Would you like to say something to those reading the interview?
Andre Brassil: Thanks for reading this. I’d love to make something that you enjoy someday.
SKSM: Do you like to add anything else?
Andre Brassil: Thank you for asking for this and for the great questions.