THE PASSION OF THE PRODUCER: RAFAEL THOMASETO

John Michaels
Jul 22, 2017 · 5 min read
Rafael at the Cannes Film Festival

When one thinks of filmmakers as artists who wear their hearts on their sleeve and are passionate and emotional…you probably don’t think of the producer; this would be a mistake when it comes to Rafael Thomaseto. Rafael is the type of producer who directors love; the ones who are able to do their job at the highest level of professionalism and proficiency but also have the need to feel and believe deeply in the story they are enabling. A great producer not only sets the table and allows the director, cast, & crew to practice their abilities but also understands the message that said director and writer want to communicate in their production. While Thomaseto has numerous productions to his credits, the films “Pumpkin” and “Eli” are ones which he obviously cared a great deal about, a facet which closer inspection resonates as true. Both films depict tough times which many of us and/or our loved ones’ deal with. Rafael’s personal connection with these and his exemplary talents assisted both films in becoming lauded in the film community and receiving copious accolades. His work and his statements about these productions reveal that it’s not only those in front of the camera and those beside the camera who are emotionally invested in the touching films that the public loves.

Thomaseto threw himself into the making of the film “Pumpkin” with good reason. Director/writer Paula Neves and Rafael are both from Brazil and met on their first day at the New York Film Academy in Los Angeles. In addition to respecting each other’s work, Rafael was aware that this story had been based on actual events in Paula’s life and it connected with him. “Pumpkin” tells the tale of best friends Alice and Dan who live in separate countries. When Dan tells Alice that he has been diagnosed with cancer, she faces the scary feeling of being separated physically from him and powerless. Alice tries to show him support and love, even if that means pushing away friends who are physically close to her. Part of Rafael’s producing contribution was in helping Neves develop the script. By design, this helped him to anticipate his director’s wants and needs.

Stepping his game up in a major way, this producer offered up his apartment for filming when the production was cutting corners to stay within budget. His Burbank digs made it convenient for the cast and crew as well as the numerous equipment rental houses in the area. He explains, “We shot most parts of the film at my apartment in Burbank, California. The two characters in the story live in different countries and create a relationship through the internet and skype. We had the idea of having two rooms, one next to another, and creating their set there so we would shoot the conversations live. It just made sense to shoot there. We reorganized both rooms completely…painting, wallpapers, new furniture, etc. My house for one month became a film set. It was crazy and unforgettable.! Paula as the director, Ernesto her cinematographer, and Helena her production designer, were in my house everyday working. We also used two other locations, The CBS studios and a street in Toluca Lake. All three of our sets looked amazing, regardless of being filmed in a top notch studio, in a rented apartment, or outside. It’s all proof that if you have great people on a set, they can make anything work.” Actual proof of this exists in the fact that “Pumpkin” won a multitude of awards (at the Hollywood International Moving Picture Film Festival, Los Angeles Cinefest, and others) and as a Cannes Short Film Corner Official Selection.

Another emotionally intense and inspiring film produced by Thomaseto was Yayun Hsu’s “Eli”, about an adult man who deals with his autism. Having just turned thirty, Eli begins to experience his first time working outside his home with the public. Eli’s father has been given thirty days to live as he has an aggressive from of cancer and is pushing his son to face the future and need for greater self-reliance. The film displays Eli’s journey as he reveals hidden talents and learns to connect with other people. Yayun was passionate about the subject matter, her script, and making this film. She demanded a producer who possessed empathy and would work with her to manifest it. “Eli” delivered in a big way and won Best Short, Best Drama, and Best Producer at the Hollywood International Moving Pictures Film Festival 2017. While this was affirming, Rafael and Hsu had an even larger plan for the film; a very modern one. He reveals, “We focused on creating a plan to launch the movie in Los Angeles and also in Asia. Our strategy included a big list of festivals for the film. The story of “Eli” was created for Americans but Yayun’s vision as a filmmaker and the way her film flows has many references from Asian cinema. There is a lot of potential for her film there, even if it’s for a small audience. She has a beautiful story and images to transmit to her home country.”

Having been so emotionally connected with the film, Rafael was understandably disappointed when other work kept him from attending the festivals and experience the accolades which “Eli” received firsthand. Such is the price of being successful and passionate. When asked about his involvement in both films he notes, “I chose to be a storyteller so I could use the art of making a film to create emotions within an audience and to be able to transmit a powerful message.

During the filming of “Eli”

A good drama has the power to make you cry, laugh, and feel connected with a specific character or story. When everyone in the filmmaking process is working at their best, they are able to communicate something with their talents, working as one team or organism. Everyone becomes continually inspired as they see the progress and the film reveals itself and its true character to these individuals. When this happens, greatness can be achieved. In my mind, there is nothing more exciting than being a producer. When you are the person who places all the pieces in motion and then watches them go…it’s movie magic!”

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