How did the concept and story for The Shovel come about? And how long has the post-production process been?

I adapted the screenplay from a story by Steve Hamilton. Steve has an award-winning mystery series set in Michigan's U.P. and I came across this "one-off" story on a great defunct website called Plots With Guns. I got in touch with Steve to see if he'd be interested in letting me adapt it. He was, and I came up with a draft he liked. I showed it to Steve Hardwick (the producer), who thought it was good and we shot last August, edited in September, and scored and mixed audio in October. Ready for submission to festivals by the end of the year... And then you wait.

What processes, if anything, changed when you started working on the project?

Once such talented people agree to get involved, the temptation is to let things escalate--more gear, shoot on film, more shoot days, etc. We just tried to keep things tight, simple and clean. Shot on HiDef video, kept the schedule to two days, and honed the script down to what we all thought was only the critical dialogue.

Had you always planned to make it a short or were there ever developments to turn it into a full-length picture?

Always a short. I love short stories and like the idea that short films can also be what they are, not necessarily aspire to being longer. That said, one very cool thing about working with Steve Hamilton was that we knew if people were interested in The Shovel there was an amazing series of mysteries he'd written that were still available. Right now we're adapting the first book in that series, A Cold Day in Paradise (which won the Edgar and Shamus Awards and you should read!), which we hope to shoot next year.

The Shovel was your first dramatic short. How do you feel about the overall experience? Is there anything you would have done differently? And are there any other short and/or independent features in the works?

We had way too much ridiculously great stuff happen to wish for anything else. Still...Steve (Hardwick) talked me out of a jib and crane and I'd go back and fight for those just to piss him off. And there was a close up of the backhoe teeth that we decided not to waste time on that we'd get. Next things--we'll shoot another short while waiting for the features to happen. And other than Cold Day, we're developing a movie called Seeing the World, and have a few other projects dreamed up/talking to authors about/in the works.

How did David come to be involved in this project, as well as the other actors you cast?

I got in touch with David and he just agreed to read it. Then, he actually wanted to play Paul. It's amazing, unusual and shows the kind of person he is. I'd go on and on, but he'd hate it.

I talked to Tim Guinee through a friend, and Tim liked the script, too. Now I know that if you offer Tim an excuse to hang out with state troopers for research, he'll pretty much do anything.

Neal grew up in the town I now live in, and was at NYU with another great actor, Ben Shenkman, who's a friend of mine from high school. A very lucky, "small world" connection.

Glenn, also from NYU, came through Ben and Neal. For some crazy reason he was willing to travel out and sweat all day for us.

On the next one, I expect some kind of karmic balance will have to happen--me acting with chimps, maybe.

You were a fan of David's before a collaborator. What was it like working with him? And what, in your mind, did he bring to the role of Paul?

I met David a while ago, so I knew him a bit and that part was easy and relaxed. But watching him work was truly amazing. He made Paul deeper than I thought such a specific character could be. He's just so detailed in his reactions and his movement. Everything's specific, but seems instinctive, simple and (to get pompous) honest. I especially like the subtle, cocky battle between Paul and Sheriff Cole; how each guy thinks the other is a moron but has to deal with him to try and make it all go away.

What are your hopes for this film and for audiences that get to see it at any of its upcoming screenings?

That people have a chance to see such great acting in a small movie, get pulled in for fifteen minutes and are surprised at the end. If they like our approach and how we shot it, even better. Then, onto the next!