Interview with Director Robert Pilichowski
August 6, 2009
Director Robert Pilichowski came prepared for the cold shoot outside the Cameron.
ROBERT PILICHOWSKI is an animator, music video director and filmmaker who is currently completing his first feature-length documentary, All Out War, about the breakdancing scene. For his first City Sonic film we paired him with three well-known characters from the Queen Street scene: Justin, Bazil and the Cameron.
LL: Give us your “”elevator ride”" pitch: the concept for your film in three sentences or less.
RP: The film on Justin Rutledge revolved around his connection to the historic Cameron House and his residency there. It was a place that he could call home and influenced his career as well as his personal life.
LL: What surprising thing did you learn about Justin or Bazil on this shoot?
RP: The most interesting thing was just seeing Bazil and Justin interact. It was interesting to hear them reflect on some of the shows at the Cameron and the many characters that would stroll through the doors on any given night.
LL: What was the biggest challenge filming in this location?
RP: The Cameron has been around for decades and the building has all this history surrounding it and stories it wants to tell. So the biggest challenge, really, was to not stray too far from the story we were trying to tell revolving around Justin and Bazil.
LL: What is your own favourite local bar and why?
RP: I love bars that feel like you’re in someone’s living room. I liked the old Bookworm, which was a bar/cafe and still is but it’s a bit different now. The Green Room is always a favourite because it has that cozy, East Coast atmosphere that feels like home — not to mention comfy couches!”
