Interview with Guernslye Honorés
No matter how big or small the job is, be present and do your best work even if they aren’t feeding you properly, or paying you as much as you should be getting, or if you don’t have two assistants, just always go into each day like you have the coolest job. Because let’s face it, you do.
As a part of our series called “5 Things I Wish Someone Told Me When I First Became A Filmmaker”, I had the distinct pleasure of interviewing Richard Bakewell.
Richard Bakewell, an award-winning Director, Producer, and Director of Photography, graduated from Columbia College Chicago in 2003. In 2004 Richard founded the film and television company LIGHTFORCE PICTURES.
Richard has spent the last 20 years working as a Director, Producer, and Director of Photography for commercials, branded content, narrative films, corporate, music videos, and documentaries. Richard and his Production Team have received over 58 Awards commending their work in Film & Television.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Our readers would love to get to know you a bit better. Can you tell us a bit of the ‘backstory’ of how you grew up?
I came from a very humble upbringing. We had the essentials and not much more. Raised by a single mother, and changed schools quite a bit. My father was around, but he also had his a wife and the responsibility of two step sons. And luckily I had a stepfather who really instilled the joy of going to the cinema, as every Friday night after school Tim would take me to Master Pizza and a picture show. Sometimes I had to buy two childrens tickets to save him a buck, but I didn’t mind cause afterwards he would take me to Children’s Palace and let me pick out a toy. And around that time it was a Return of the Jedi figure, and I still have most of those figures to this day. Tim filled the void of not having my father around enough, and showed me that it was possibly to have a better life in the middle class world. When I told him I wanted to make movies he encouraged it by buying more LaserDiscs for me to watch and got all of the movie channels, and back then we were the only house in the neighborhood to have cable.
Can you share a story with us about what brought you to this specific career path?
Great timeless movies started it all. I was heavily influenced by films such as Star Wars, ET, Mask (with Cher), Raiders of the Lost Ark, and Every Which Way But Loose. Who doesn’t love Clint Eastwood with a Beer Drinking/Oreo eating Orangutang? But the film that really launched me in my career path was surprisingly Grease. I asked my uncle for $5,000 when I was a young boy. He asked why, and I told him so I can make my own Grease movie and kiss the girl I liked. He gave me two bucks and told me to leave him alone.
Can you share the funniest or most interesting story that occurred to you in the course of your filmmaking career?
That would be the Grease story coming full circle. In 2019 I got to tell Olivia Newton John the story before she passed. Her manager gave his approval of the lighting before our interview and I said “I could never let Olivia look bad, she’s the reason I got into making movies.” Then I told her the story about Grease and the girl I liked. She said, “So what happened.” And I replied straight faced, “Sometimes you don’t get the one that you want.” She just nodded and said, “Well played. Sadly I even called her manager in 2022 to be in my latest film, Roswell Delirium, but he kindly responded and said she wasn’t taking anymore acting roles at this time. Three months later she passed
Who are some of the most interesting people you have interacted with? What was that like? Do you have any stories?
Olivia Newtown John was the highlight for me. I’ve met so many musicians and actors in my 20 years, but some of the moments I remember most are doing the Snoop Dogg GGN Talk Show and one day he came inside the studio in the best mood and started playing “Shout” from Animal House. He started dancing, singing, and then we all joined in. We also got to enjoy a super close intake of high octane fumes. Another one was one time I filmed an interivew with Jessica Alba for a movie she did with Dane Cook. She was the most approachable human being I’ve ever met. When I was introduced to her, I said I’m the DP today and personal bodyguard if the peope on the Santa Monica Pier get out of hand. She then started to throw slow punches at me, and within seconds we were shadow boxing and I completely had an out of body experience in that moment. Going to Paris Hilton’s house was a big deal. It was right after she was getting a lot of negative press. I only knew people were attacking her because my producer was all about the gossip. Still I had a clear impression set in my mind and I found her to be reserved and quiet, and at one point she offered all of us sandwiches. I was shocked that she offered to feed us, and probably because the producer I was with didn’t bring any food or drinks for us. I didn’t accept cause I was shy about not wanting to eat her food but never forgot her generosity
None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?
I was recently asked this question on a radio show with Tyrone Tann. And sadly I really didn’t have anyone who helped mentor me through my career but I always say without my stepfather, Tim Higgins, taking an interest in my life and seeing potential in me I wouldn’t be where I am today. Tim and my mother married when I was 8 and got divorced when I was 13, but those 5 years really impacted my life. I think that’s why I have taken an interest in training a lot of people who work for me. I’ve trained a handful of AC’s like Harisa, Patrick, and Lorna who have gone on to shoot Imax movies, and Naked and Afraid, or The Bachelor. I’ve also tried to be a good role model for all of the teen actors in my latest film, Roswell Delirium, as they look up to me. Georgia, Kayden, Romyn, and Kylee always invite me to their events, or to see a movie of theirs that’s playing at a film fetsival, or to have lunch when they come to town. I think the reason they look up to me is because I talk to them without talking down to them like a lot of Hollywood tyeps do. They are teenagers yes, but after an hour long conversation you would realize what old souls they are.
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?
A quitter quits. A leader never gives up even when all hope has been lost. A leader has to keep moving forward no matter how painful or stressful it is in this business. Every year I get frustrated because things aren’t going my way. It’s either I’m not always happy with the calls I’m getting or I’m not getting called enough, I just don’t like working with some of the people I’m working for, I am not making enough money, and not happy with the work I’m delivering. There will be bad days no matter what. Hollywood is a giant fish bowl and you are surrounded by sharks who don’t want you swimming in their tank but you have to find your way, stick it out, and eventually in the end you will find a fish pond out of nowhere without any sharks or sea creatures and you can feast away. The road is hard, and you have to have thick skin to stay in the game because what they don’t tell you about Hollywood is that everyone wants something from you and they all have a story to tell you to get what they want out of you. Even the prettiest fishes with the best tails will sell you swampland, and at first you’ll eat it up.
I am very interested in diversity in the entertainment industry. Can you share three reasons with our readers about why you think it’s important to have diversity represented in film and television? How can that potentially affect our culture?
Everyone needs to have a voice. Sadly there isn’t enough diversity in this business, and proably never will be. Hollywood was formed as a special club, and they didn’t want anyone else who didn’t fit in their club. And it’s still that way today. Only a few select people get to make the big studio movies. What is lacking is culture in our films, and most of the scripts that get made don’t have any substance. They are one dimensional with no character arcs. Studios really should reach out to up and coming independent filmmakers to get a fresh new vision to tell stories that have been missing from their demographic. Look at Black Panther for example. Marvel and Disney were only making certain films, and then once they opened their eyes and made Black Panther it spawned a new world of Marvel movies and brought a new demographic to the theaters.
What are some of the most interesting or exciting projects you are working on now?
Right now I have a new film about Linda Perry called Let It Die that will premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival. Two commercial campaigns for Subaru. And just had a world premiere of Roswell Delirium, a 1980s science fiction female driven roller coaster thriller that stars Kylee Levien, Ashton Solecki, Arielle Bodenhausen and a group of 80s icons from Anthony Michael Hall, Dee Wallace, Lisa Whelchel, Sam Jones, and Reginald VelJohnson. We are currently entering our second half run of film festivals and should be streaming by Summer 2024.
Which aspect of your work makes you most proud? Can you explain or give a story?
Now what makes me proud is the reaction from the people involved after they see the final product. When we premiered Roswell Delirium everyone ran up to me after the movie was done and congradulated me. They couldn’t and still can’t stop talking about the film. The actors are so proud of the work that they did, and also the work of the other cast and crew. That night I laid in bed with complete sleep parlaysis. I never slept as I was on a high I never felt before. I now have a little taste of rock stars go through when they leave the stage, you just want that feeling back. Let’s face it you hope people love a movie and embrace it, but I never expected it would be received that well. And we’ve already won over 30 awards for the film so I guess I did something right.
What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why?
Five things I wish someone had told me when I first started would be:
- Don’t ever date anyone in the business. While it may seem that the world of Film & TV is huge, sometimes people you date early on well and you will run into them again and boy is that awkward.
- Don’t take every job in the beginning. At the start of my career I took every single job that I was ever offered no matter what the rate was, and then later I learned how to negotiate for more money. You have to truly ask for what you are worth.
- Saying no. This goes along with the second thing. I say now that when you tell someone you won’t do that job, by saying no it actually shows them how successful you truly are.
- Never lose your cool on set. Sure I did a few times in film school with some difficult upcoming actors. But in the Hollywood people talk, and will never let you live it down. You can do 100 great things, but that one instance where you lost your cool they will remember that forever. Luckily no one has seen me do that yet but I’ve seen many DPs, Producers, and Directors do that and it’s all the crew talk about. I have my outbursts in private, that’s the Chicago way.
- No matter how big or small the job is, be present and do your best work even if they aren’t feeding you properly, or paying you as much as you should be getting, or if you don’t have two assistants, just always go into each day like you have the coolest job. Because let’s face it, you do.
When you create a film, which stakeholders have the greatest impact on the artistic and cinematic choices you make? Is it the viewers, the critics, the financiers, or your own personal artistic vision? Can you share a story with us or give an example about what you mean?
Well when people hire me to direct, the producers know right away that they will never have any creative input. I will entertain their ideas the first week and after that I just walk away and laugh. I have a very strong vision and don’t want to be bothered by dumb ideas, and sadly people who think they deserve to be in power have more bad ideas than good. I strive to make the greatest film possible under tight deadlines with no room for error. I know when things aren’t working and always have a way out to fix a bad performance or if an issue arises on set. In this business you have to make quick decisions in seconds and even if you’re unsure as a good leader they will respect any decision you make.
You are a person of great influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂
I am not a celebrity and the only movement that would be worthwhile would be that of showing an interest in the younger genration. A lot of them don’t have ideas and have no real leadership. That is why they spend hours a day on TikTok looking for guidance and acceptance. If they tell you they want to be an actor, bring them to set one day and show them this is what life could be. If they tell you that they want to be a director, let them sit at the monitor with headphones and listen to the perfomances. Let them see what life could truly be like when they have a dream. In this world we tend to hush people when they talk about their dreams. I was the weird kid who wanted to go to film school and make movies, and everyone laughed at it including my family. It wasn’t until I moved away and started working with some of the biggest names did I hear from everyone and they all said the same thing… “I knew you would always make it. I believed in you.” Sure you did.
We are very blessed that some of the biggest names in Business, VC funding, Sports, and Entertainment read this column. Is there a person in the world, or in the US whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might see this. 🙂
I would love to have a round table brunch with endless mimosas with Marty Scorcese, Steven Speilberg, Christopher Nolan, and Clint Eastwood. I admire them for their vision, and continuing to make great movies because they have to do it inside the four walls of a very controlled studio facility. Yet they are still able to finish a film and have it turn out successfully. And I would just love to know some more of their secrets, and how they really manage the day with all of the problems on set arising, the egos of some of the actors, and the ridiculous demands they are constantly given by the executives.
How can our readers further follow you online?
You can follow me on instagram @ rickbakewell, or go to my website at www.lightforcepictures.com
This was very meaningful, thank you so much! We wish you continued success!
About the interviewer: Guernslye Honoré, affectionately known as “Gee-Gee”, is an amalgamation of creativity, vision, and endless enthusiasm. She has elegantly twined the worlds of writing, acting, and digital marketing into an inspiring tapestry of achievement. As the creative genius at the heart of Esma Marketing & Publishing, she leads her team to unprecedented heights with her comprehensive understanding of the industry and her innate flair for innovation. Her boundless passion and sense of purpose radiate from every endeavor she undertakes, turning ideas into reality and creating a realm of infinite possibilities. A true dynamo, Gee-Gee’s name has become synonymous with inspirational leadership and the art of creating success.
Richard Bakewell: 5 Things I Wish Someone Told Me When I First Became A Filmmaker was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.