Joe Vrenick was raised in Council Bluffs and is an alumnus of Abraham Lincoln High School. He now resides in St Louis Missouri having graduated from Webster University with a degree in Film and Television Production and is currently a projectionist with Alamo Drafthouse. As an independent filmmaker, his previous works include Purple Stuff (2018) and Escapism (2020).
Here is an interview done about his career and his new short film Sheena’s Secret.
Q: Most of the movies you have made are comedies or horror films so, what movies or short films helped inspire you for your films or inspired you to do this professionally?
A: “My favorite filmmaker by far is James Gunn because he inspired all of my works and not just Sheena’s Secret. ‘Super,’ directed by James Gunn, also inspired me as a filmmaker because of his style of writing and filmmaking from that specific movie. Gunn showed me that anyone can make a movie because he’s just a guy from the Midwest and was able to make a movie. Other movies that inspired me and my films were ‘Slither,’ ‘Grindhouse,’ and ‘The Specials,’ which was made on a small budget. Something that inspired me specifically for Sheena’s Secret ‘Kick-Ass’ directed by Matthew Vaughn because of the style.”
Q: What is the difference between Sheena’s Secret and other movies and short films? What makes it stand out among all other films?
A: “The difference was at the time there were a lot of superhero movies being produced but were unoriginal. I wanted to make something about a unique character with a creative story too. It also had to work within a small budget. What made it stand out for me was that in college students were focused on being artsy and trying to win awards when I just wanted to make something good and have fun while I did it.”
Q: Did you ever think your film would end up in a film festival, or be widely recognized?
A: “Well, I knew I would get it in a few festivals. Specifically in the Midwest because they are looking for fresh young talent. The Midwest doesn’t have many aspiring filmmakers like other areas so there’s not a lot of people in these festivals. As for being recognized, I got an award for my film ‘Double Bill,’ but I do wish that Sheena’s Secret was appreciated more than it was.”
Q: What in your career are you most proud of so far? and what are you looking forward to in the future?
A: “What I’m proudest of is just making a movie and not just once but multiple times and being able to get it out for people to watch. I didn’t care as much for the recognition from it just because so much work goes into making films, especially time, money and resources. Not just that but a lot can go wrong as well. Sometimes it means that the movies are scrapped and left unproduced because it costs too much to keep trying. In regards to what I’m looking forward to in the future is getting Sheena’s secret out to the public, not just getting it out but seeing reactions and hearing about what people have to say about it.”
Q: Is this career what you thought it would be? Why or why not? What is different?
A: “The expectations I had of making films and movies was to get in, to make friends and always being on sets. I wanted to get everything out and work on movie sets all the time. It’s different from what I was expecting because you realize it’s not a consistent 9 to 5 but you work in a time frame and have a set schedule to get everything done in that time.”
Final Comments: “To anyone who reads this and aspires to be a filmmaker, the best advice I can give you is to be ready to fully commit to it, to be tired, and to struggle during times but the longer you put up with it and the longer you can handle it the greater the rewards will be in the end. If you want to be a filmmaker you should expect rejection but don’t give up. The best way to start making your own movie is just to grab a camera and friends. You should start now and take the time to get the practice in and it will be easier later on, even if it’s awful.”
Sheena’s Secret will be available for streaming on March 15 at YouTube @ BombSquadProductions.
