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Hi Gina, thanks for taking the time for this interview. Let's start off with a little bit about yourself and your background. Have you always been interested in independent cinema?
I started out as a videographer in the military! When that adventure came to an end, I fell madly in love with this guy who wanted to make horror movies! The rest is an incredibly fun story still in progress.
If I'm not mistaken, 'B-hive TV' is a joint venture with you and your husband Jason, correct?
 That is correct! Jason produced a horror short called "Fork In The Road" and it was my job to research the 8 zillion film festivals out there. Well, to make a long story short, I got fed up with how expensive the whole process was and decided to make my own TV show to get some exposure! I found an awesome cable rep for a late night spot on Reno cable. She loved the idea of independent, low-budget filmmakers showcasing their trailers and she sold me the airtime!
Where are you two from? How did you and your husband meet?
I'm from Northern California and Jason is from wild and wonderful West Virginia (or something lame like that!) We met in a Coronado bar and I knew after our first date that I wanted to spend the rest of my life with him!
I'll be sure to forward all the email I receive from West Virginia over to you (Just kidding)! Back to 'B-Hive TV', could you please tell me a little more about that?
Well, yes I can. 'B-Hive TV' ( www.bhivetv.com ) is a place for low-to-no budget filmmakers to showcase their trailers and shorts at NO COST! There's also a forum on the site for visitors to post feedback (good and bad) about the movies! 'B-Hive TV' is a half-hour show airing at midnight on Reno cable starting September 3rd, 2005. Thirty minutes of low-budget trailers and shorts, hosted by a very cool scream queen! I'll stream the show on the site as well, so fans can check it out!
 I've seen the 'B-Hive TV' website and it looks really good! How did the site get started?
Ahhhh, the site. There used to be this cool site where you could submit your trailers for free. Visitors could rate them with less-than-constructive criticism and 'lame stars'! I loved it. Unfortunately, the site is now gone and I thought a site with a library of low-budget trailers would be cool! Eventually, I'll add the "rating" system... think of that "Am I Hot Or Not" site, but for movies! Anyone who visits BHiveTV.com can tell right away how much I suck at Dreamweaver! Maybe some web ninja will see this article and want to help with the design for free..... Yeah, that'll happen. :)
I also see that you accept submissions for your site...Are you receiving a lot of submissions already?
Well, the site's been up a month now and we have already received 36 internet submissions! It's difficult to get the word out, but I'm trying by posting messages on forums and sending emails directly to the filmmakers.
What other genres do you accept besides horror? Will you reject a submission if it's not horror?
We accept horror, thriller, action, sci-fi, kung fu, I'll even take low-budget comedy, but I tell ya, a girl's gotta put her foot down when it comes to artsy documentaries! NO, and I repeat NO, artsy documentaries. If you really, truly want to make it to 'Sundance', you're not right for the show. If you really, truly want to make it to 'Tromadance', hook me up with your trailer!
Is there any advice you can give people before submitting a trailer?
We can do everything via email if you'd like! I can download your trailers for the site and have it up the next day! The process is very simple. The only thing I need is your submission form, which can be found on my site.
Speaking of trailers and films, have you made any short films?
I was the cameragirl for "Fork In The Road", a 7 minute horror short about a serial killer second guessing his career path! (The short can be viewed here: www.elswarro.com/fork.html) My husband Jason wrote, directed, and produced it and got stuck playing 'Dead Guy #2' because one of our unpaid actors didn't show up. Note to self, don't shoot a horror movie in your own house! The controlled action of shooting in our garage was nice, but it was like a scene from 'CSI' when we wrapped for the day. When I opened my garage door, OF COURSE the neighbor was there, staring at the karo syrup/red food coloring drenched floor and fake body parts. I just waived and said, "Hi!".
 That must have been fun to try and explain to your neighbor! Was this your first cinema effort? What was it like to make it?
We did an artsy documentary called "South Of The Pier" for our public access channel. Unfortunately, they rejected it for some silly technical error and our hopes and dreams were temporarily crushed. (It's a bad day when you can't even get on public access!) It was probably a blessing in disguise because if I remember correctly, there were a lot of star wipes and audio mistakes. Star wipes are pretty rough, but when you get a new editing system, you think they're AMAZING! ahhh... so young. :)
It must be a great feeling to complete a film. How do you feel when you see a finished piece that you've created?
We did a better one called "Hot Chow", which to this day makes me laugh out loud. There's a definite feeling of accomplishment and pride when you've completed a project, or someone gives you a compliment about it (other than a relative or close friend!).
Are you still busy making your own shorts / indie films?
We begin shooting a new short next month which I'm very excited about! Jason's been pushing to use the garage again, but I'll try to think of an alternative to that! If any of your readers enjoyed our first horror short, this one will be 10 times better! Jason's almost finished with the script and I think it's his best work yet!
Now that 'B-Hive TV' is up and running, what are your dreams for 'B-Hive TV'...where would you like to see all this go?
I'd like a distributor to see my work on the show, fund a feature length film for my husband, and retire young. Is that so wrong? Then in our retirement, I'll open an "Indie" theater, show all the trailers and shorts, and host Kung Fu Sundays. That's my plan.
Great plan! Before we wrap this up, is there anything else you would like to mention?
I'd like to say I'm very appreciative that you took the time to interview me for your article: any publicity for the site is welcomed!
Thanks again, Gina. Good luck to you and Jason! Everyone be sure to head on over to http://www.bhivetv.com and check them out. If you can help them out with a link on your own sites or by sending indie filmmakers their way, that would be even better.
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