Christopher Tramantana talks about his new independent film “Caper,” which he stars in, produced, and co-created.
The synopsis is: When a friend’s disastrous sext accidentally lands in his boss’ phone, a group of clueless men race against the clock, embarking on an all-night odyssey through New York City’s underbelly to hack, bribe, and bluff their way to deleting the evidence.
Over the course of seven hours, this misguided, toxically masculine mission to save a friend from ruin exposes their own fears, flaws, and misconceptions about women.
How did “Caper” come about?
Dean Imperial and I met in undergrad at Fordham University’s Lincoln Center campus back in the 1900s. We were fast friends but lost touch over time. We reconnected during the pandemic when a fellow classmate passed away. We immediately picked up right where we left off.
He had been writing for television for the past 10 years and I’d been working as an actor and teaching Physical comedy, Clown and Commedia dell’arte at NYU: Tisch Drama and other studios around NYC.
After a few hangs (and maybe 1,000 laughs) I remarked how ridiculous it was that we weren’t working on something together. We should combine our individual experiences from the past 15 years.
He agreed and we began working together that day. Long walks around midtown east …we put the plot together. He brought in his long time writing partner Richard Cooper and we began writing the script for a core group of actors.
We wanted to tell a story that happened all in one night with a focus on the acting and the characters. We were interested in sending up male hubris as a jumping off point.
Every person who we handed the script to expressed interested and it just snowballed from there. We hit several major obstacles along the way, and each obstacle turned out to be a steppingstone.
We took advantage of the SAG strike to work on a SAG low budget contract and because so many people were out of work, they jumped on board.
We treated it like a heist. We knew we needed to do it fast and quick.We filmed it in 15 nights, during the coldest three weeks of December, 2023.
How did it feel to debut it at SXSW?
It was an emotional roller coaster. It was a physical roller coaster also. It’s exhilarating. You’re all over Austin, all day and night running on very little sleep. I was not ready for the response from the folks attending either.
It was wild to have people of all ages and demographics coming up to me telling me how much they loved the film.
We made this thing from a place of love and curiosity. And laughter was the main ingredient when we were writing and shooting. I’m still so surprised that it reaches people, only because it felt so personal and specific to us.
I am overwhelmed and humbled by the way it has been received by audiences at SXSW. And to sit in a theater and watch it on the big screen was just a dream come true.
I’ve been working my whole life for this moment. And then to achieve it with one of my oldest, dearest friends… it really just leaves me speechless and humbled, with immense gratitude. It has been one hell of a learning experience too. This is my first film festival.
This is the first time I produced and the first project I ever co-created. It’s my first time playing the principle protagonist and the first time seeing myself on a big screen. So many firsts.
How does it feel to be a filmmaker in the digital age? (Now with streaming, technology and social media being so prevalent)
I love how accessible it is for the public. I think it’s really heartening to know stories can reach so many people who maybe ordinarily would not have had access.
Conversely, it’s a bit daunting as a filmmaker. I’ve always been a lover of film and the big screen. Specifically the films of the 1970s.
Nothing can replace sitting in a theater with other people and watching a movie. The size of the sound and the picture just cannot be reproduced on television.
Now that the small screen is people’s primary way of watching movies, it leaves me a bit unsure of how I fit in.
That said, I do love a challenge and it’s the challenges that often lead to breakthrough innovations.
I am confident my collaborators and I can make the adjustments, and I’m looking forward to the surprises and the discoveries we make in the process.
What do your plans for the future include?
We have several projects in the works. We’d really like to build off this experience and continue cultivating all the chemistry we found with cast and crew. The hope is to start working on the next film soon. I’m also continuing to teach at NYU.
What is your advice for young and emerging filmmakers?
Start. Start now. Don’t wait for the perfect moment, because there is no perfect moment. Just start making a mess as soon as possible. You’ll learn from each mess and usually the mess is where the magic is.
What does the word success mean to you? (My favorite question)
Wow. That’s the question, isn’t it? Being able to make the art I want to make, with the people I want to make it with, and make a living doing it.
Telling stories that interest me and can reach people at the same time. And maybe help to fortify a deeper sense of community in the process. That’s success to me.
What would you like to tell our readers about your new film? (What’s the one thing you want them to get out of it)
Our film may feel like a screwball comedy about a bunch of idiots (and it is), but I know that there’s a tremendous heart underneath it. We had so much fun writing it and filming it. I hope that fun is infectious.
The principle I always try to operate from is that it’s more generous to share your pleasure than your pain. I think It’s a bigger risk to share enthusiasm and I believe the world needs more of that.
So, I hope people will leave the film a little lighter and more hopeful. And lots of laughter.
To learn more about Christopher Tramantana, follow him on Instagram and check out his official website.
