Interview with Peter Boiadzhieff (Krassimir Nikov)
You were born in 1974, but according to your IMDB page, you started
putting out films in 2013. By the time you did your first film, you were pretty
mature comparing to other filmmakers. Do you think your knowledge and
life experience are advantages or disadvantages in present era?
putting out films in 2013. By the time you did your first film, you were pretty
mature comparing to other filmmakers. Do you think your knowledge and
life experience are advantages or disadvantages in present era?
I was born in the capital city Sofia, but grow up in small city called Petrich that is
border between former Macedonia and Greece, it was a great place going
fishing, hiking, and dreaming …
However, I do not have a great youth, my mother died when I was 10 years old,
my father divorced and he showed up later when I were 25 years old. I grew up
in old house and small apartment with my grandparents. I did not have a clear
idea what I want to be in life till 25 years old, but I love working with computers
than people. In other words, to answer to you question why I do not have
anything before 2013, IMDb does not exist in 1993. It was not the right time and I
do not have access to any cameras only to camera that my grandmother bought
for me “Smena Symbol”.
This is not 5 sentences answer, it is more of an episode for my next series, let
me explain like that. When I was younger, I asked my grandparents, I want to be
a banker, you cannot we are not from the rich class, I want to be a fashion
model, you cannot you are not handsome enough, I want to be a gangster, you
cannot you don’t know how to hold a pistol. We have a caste system like in the
movie “Divergent, 2014” and I consider myself a divergent because I do not fit in
any profession that were available at this time.
I do not like to compare myself with other filmmakers, when I am starting a
project, I know what I want and how to finish it.
I have lots of knowledge and experience in my life that I could say that my life is
like a movie. One disadvantage is that I had too much stories and materials and I
have difficulty to combine them together like a whole story with great opening,
developing the characters and perfect ending!
Also, I was struggle with self-confidence at young age and I still do, this is why I
tried to do different things, like stand-up comedy to proof to myself that I can do
almost anything that I dreamed of. All the times they told me you can’t, and I did what I can’t, creating crazy short films. Inspired by the famous youtuber Casey Neistat “Do What You can't"
border between former Macedonia and Greece, it was a great place going
fishing, hiking, and dreaming …
However, I do not have a great youth, my mother died when I was 10 years old,
my father divorced and he showed up later when I were 25 years old. I grew up
in old house and small apartment with my grandparents. I did not have a clear
idea what I want to be in life till 25 years old, but I love working with computers
than people. In other words, to answer to you question why I do not have
anything before 2013, IMDb does not exist in 1993. It was not the right time and I
do not have access to any cameras only to camera that my grandmother bought
for me “Smena Symbol”.
This is not 5 sentences answer, it is more of an episode for my next series, let
me explain like that. When I was younger, I asked my grandparents, I want to be
a banker, you cannot we are not from the rich class, I want to be a fashion
model, you cannot you are not handsome enough, I want to be a gangster, you
cannot you don’t know how to hold a pistol. We have a caste system like in the
movie “Divergent, 2014” and I consider myself a divergent because I do not fit in
any profession that were available at this time.
I do not like to compare myself with other filmmakers, when I am starting a
project, I know what I want and how to finish it.
I have lots of knowledge and experience in my life that I could say that my life is
like a movie. One disadvantage is that I had too much stories and materials and I
have difficulty to combine them together like a whole story with great opening,
developing the characters and perfect ending!
Also, I was struggle with self-confidence at young age and I still do, this is why I
tried to do different things, like stand-up comedy to proof to myself that I can do
almost anything that I dreamed of. All the times they told me you can’t, and I did what I can’t, creating crazy short films. Inspired by the famous youtuber Casey Neistat “Do What You can't"
Petrich - Bulgaria
Web series is a great modern format that allows filmmakers to express
their ideas much quicker.
However, I don’t recall any web series were later reproduced into high
budget series.
Do you think web series format is still developing?
their ideas much quicker.
However, I don’t recall any web series were later reproduced into high
budget series.
Do you think web series format is still developing?
The budget to create a film to final cut can be different for different people. For
example, $1000 budget for me is a big budget vs $100 million to big company.
Also, you need to have a budget for advertisement, too that most indie film
makers forget.
You might be right, but creating a web series is better because the feature film is
just one time and that is. The web series can run for at least 5-6 seasons.
For example: the web serries Burn Notice (2007-2013) was developed in 6
years and had actors like Jeffrey Donovan (Michael Westen), Gabrielle Anwar
(Fiona Glenanne), Bruce Campbell (Sam Axe). Another one is Curb Your
Enthusiasm that is started from 2000 with comedian Larry David and had 11
seasons for HBO and they will have another one coming. I was advised by one of
the film festivals if you do not have a celebrity in you feature film make it a web
series.
I think the web series are in high demand for streaming services right now, then a
single movie, unless you created something like Avatar 2.
example, $1000 budget for me is a big budget vs $100 million to big company.
Also, you need to have a budget for advertisement, too that most indie film
makers forget.
You might be right, but creating a web series is better because the feature film is
just one time and that is. The web series can run for at least 5-6 seasons.
For example: the web serries Burn Notice (2007-2013) was developed in 6
years and had actors like Jeffrey Donovan (Michael Westen), Gabrielle Anwar
(Fiona Glenanne), Bruce Campbell (Sam Axe). Another one is Curb Your
Enthusiasm that is started from 2000 with comedian Larry David and had 11
seasons for HBO and they will have another one coming. I was advised by one of
the film festivals if you do not have a celebrity in you feature film make it a web
series.
I think the web series are in high demand for streaming services right now, then a
single movie, unless you created something like Avatar 2.
You stated before that you are a big fan of dark humor and mystery.
Do you spot differences in American and Bulgarian humor?
Do you spot differences in American and Bulgarian humor?
I love the mystery and I do not like a true story film because everything is
predictable. There is a big difference in the comedy in America and Bulgaria. I
did a comedy class and the teacher said if you need to explain you joke then you
need to re-write it. For example: the joke like American, Bulgarian, and Macedonian met and … is too long for America. For America it is more one
sentence and punchline, also the jokes that I say in Atlanta, Georgia won’t work if
I go and tell them in New York.
In other words whatever is funny for you it is not for me, the comedy is hard
genre, but I love it!
predictable. There is a big difference in the comedy in America and Bulgaria. I
did a comedy class and the teacher said if you need to explain you joke then you
need to re-write it. For example: the joke like American, Bulgarian, and Macedonian met and … is too long for America. For America it is more one
sentence and punchline, also the jokes that I say in Atlanta, Georgia won’t work if
I go and tell them in New York.
In other words whatever is funny for you it is not for me, the comedy is hard
genre, but I love it!
If you had an opportunity to produce a full feature film today, would you
rather go independent or make a film with a Hollywood Company?
rather go independent or make a film with a Hollywood Company?
There are many film studios based here in Atlanta not just Hollywood. If you
place the Georgia logo in your film, they will give you 500K credit.
I love to make a feature film with for a studio with not to big budget where I can
use special effects that I am unable to do it by myself, even I had few scripts.
I prefer to make a feature film as independent because I can use my creativity
and there are no high expectations, hoe the film will perform!
place the Georgia logo in your film, they will give you 500K credit.
I love to make a feature film with for a studio with not to big budget where I can
use special effects that I am unable to do it by myself, even I had few scripts.
I prefer to make a feature film as independent because I can use my creativity
and there are no high expectations, hoe the film will perform!
Most film’s ideas start from a story. Whether they are real or fictional, do
you ever search for them or they just appear by themselves?
you ever search for them or they just appear by themselves?
Some of my stories are real and they transformed later to a fictional story. I tried
different ways like write different sentences and then connect the words together,
but this is not working for me. In most times the words are coming in my mind
and I have many small stories that I am trying to combine to a big one.
In most time I find inspiration from my own experience and from the nature,
sometimes the story it writes by itself!
different ways like write different sentences and then connect the words together,
but this is not working for me. In most times the words are coming in my mind
and I have many small stories that I am trying to combine to a big one.
In most time I find inspiration from my own experience and from the nature,
sometimes the story it writes by itself!
Do you think times of watching film at Cinemas are over?
From my point of view, I prefer to go and watch the film in the theatre for me it is
a better experience. However, with the new streaming services and new big 70
inches TV you can have you own theatre at you home.
Let’s see what the future will bring to us.
a better experience. However, with the new streaming services and new big 70
inches TV you can have you own theatre at you home.
Let’s see what the future will bring to us.
Could you name any Bulgarian filmmakers who inspired you during youth?
I do not have a Bulgarian film maker that inspire me, but I had lots of Bulgarian
people that joke and made funny comments that won’t be able to be a film
maker. Simple we do not go along very well with Bulgarians.
However, I have a local film maker that inspire me while creating few of my films
here in Atlanta and his name is Stephen Blackmon.
He has an ability to unite people and I was very proud to be part his project
“Platinum Models Atlanta” and I created one film with him called “A Movie is
Born”. Very skilled filmmaker and wonderful person and I still admire him!
people that joke and made funny comments that won’t be able to be a film
maker. Simple we do not go along very well with Bulgarians.
However, I have a local film maker that inspire me while creating few of my films
here in Atlanta and his name is Stephen Blackmon.
He has an ability to unite people and I was very proud to be part his project
“Platinum Models Atlanta” and I created one film with him called “A Movie is
Born”. Very skilled filmmaker and wonderful person and I still admire him!
Does Atlanta’s cultural environment help you in making films?
Atlanta is a great place to be for film industries, lots of studios and lots of indie
film makers. I was able to work with very talented people on my projects and I
was part of their projects, too.
film makers. I was able to work with very talented people on my projects and I
was part of their projects, too.
Have you ever considered putting a film on Bulgarian?
I would love to make a film in Bulgarian we have great actors and some of the
films are filmed in Bulgaria like Mechanic: Resurrection, 2016 and many others.
If they a studio requested me, I will be happy to do so!
films are filmed in Bulgaria like Mechanic: Resurrection, 2016 and many others.
If they a studio requested me, I will be happy to do so!
What can we expect to see from Peter Boiadzhieff in near future?
I am working now on my feature film, just finished filming several scenes last
year and I hope to finish it by March this year and the name is “The Reporter
from Chattanooga with Love”.
Thank you so much for having in your Zagreb International Film Festival, hop e
that one day I will be able to visit Zagreb in person!
year and I hope to finish it by March this year and the name is “The Reporter
from Chattanooga with Love”.
Thank you so much for having in your Zagreb International Film Festival, hop e
that one day I will be able to visit Zagreb in person!
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Mail: zagrebinternationalfilmfestiva@gmail.com
