Films are created to entertain and inspire audiences. While moviegoers may be the intended recipients of this, these productions sometimes inspire those who are a part of making them. For example, producer Brian Mancini has worked on a number of TV and film productions which have made an impact on him, teaching him lessons about life. He reveals that one of the most recent projects to which he has contributed, Frontman, has helped him to learn about pursuing a creative lifestyle and how to handle the varied challenges that a vocation of this type has attached to it. While Jodie King (played by Kristoffer Polaha) is a person on the latter part of his career, Mancini has experienced a deluge of opportunities and additions to his resume as a producer, allowing him to explore many new projects. However, Brian is astute and heeds the messages of his productions. Frontman may be a film about someone in a different season of their life and career but it all is applicable for someone who is a successful part of the entertainment industry.
The 2016 film Frontman won the Festival Award at the World Music and Independent Film Festival (2016) as well as a win for Matthew Gentile (Director) at the same festival. It’s the story of Jodie King, a rich and famous rock star who, at the height of his career, is about to start the biggest rock tour of his life. When Jodie begins experiencing symptoms of tinnitus, a doctor informs him that he is inflicting irreversible damage to his hearing and could become deaf. Jodie attempts to cancel the show but his manipulative manager, Lydia, informs him that they have too many sold out shows to back out. Jodie has twenty-four hours to make up his mind about whether to continue or not. Over the course of that night, Jody sees his daughter Heather (Played by McKaley Miller) and the two bond almost immediately over their love for each other and for music. Once this resonates with Jodie, he starts to question his own goals and ambitions. Jodie begins to realize that the answers to his problems may not be found in the relentless pursuit of his own desires.
The subtext or less obvious truth of the film is about a man who realizes that personal gratification is ultimately served best by being a part of the vision of others. Public adulation is not as important to him as helping others to become a part of that same creative process that has always inspired him. Mancini has a direct understanding of this concept. He communicates, “I grew up just outside of Toronto, Ontario in the town of Unionville. This is where I started my career as an actor. I went to Unionville High School and was accepted into the Arts York Program for Dramatic Arts. I met several of my friends who shared equal interest in storytelling and production. We started a theatre company entitled “Nine Fifty Eight Theatre” and did several productions in Toronto. I followed my passion and moved into the city to study film at the Toronto Film School and started working on any production that would have me. Simultaneously while I was working in film, I was accepted in the Second City Conservatory in Toronto and started working as a writer and comedian as well. As I continued to push forward, I decided I wasn’t going to wait for someone to give me money so I could shoot small productions and pilots with my friends and other comics. After graduation at Second City, I was offered an opportunity to stay and work for them, which I loved. I then got accepted into the American Film Institute in Los Angeles and graduated within their Producing Program.”
As the story in Frontman progresses, Jodie King begins to understand that everything is not about him, which is what Brian has learned early in his career. Whether it be as an executive producer, producer, line producer, etc., it is a job which is about creating the ideal environment in which the creative process for a number of different professionals may be properly executed. Like Brian, many of these professionals have a background on stage and screen but have found their strength and calling in assisting, enabling, and supporting those who are on stage or screen. Alex Dew echoes this idea about Brian noting, “Bringing Brian Mancini on Frontman was incredible. I never needed to worry about anything on the production side of things as he helped manage the set so well. Having Brian as part of the team, I was able to live by the monitor as much as I wanted and give creative notes. At 5 weeks out before production, the key team was a little worried about being able to do everything to which we aspired. Brian and the team were able to organize everything and ensured we had a schedule and budget that was doable within our restrictions. Brian is so dedicated, reliable, and smart. I’m so happy how production went on Frontman as Brian is fantastic to work with! He knows the ins and outs of production to a T.”
Any job will teach you things the longer you spend on it. Jodie King learns in Frontman that what is important in life is true direct connection with those whom you love the most and sharing your life’s passion with them. Mancini liked this message and it’s a big part of why he signed on for the film. While appreciating the message that Frontman’s writers (Dennis James Clarke, Matthew Gentile, and Corey Wilcosky) were communicating, Brian confirms that his time as a Producer has taught him some unexpected but highly valuable things. He remarks, “I feel like I relate to the commitment it takes for an artist to craft something truly outstanding and then the horror of some obstacle suddenly blocking the path ahead. In my experience, I know that there is always a way around and sometimes you need to take one step back in order to take two steps forward. The hard part is following your instincts and trusting them even in the unfamiliar things ahead. I wish I felt more unstoppable. Something I’ve learned from being a Producer is to expect more people to say ‘No’ than ‘Yes’. The best way to combat this is to always be kind, persistent, and to be clear of what you want.” It’s clear that what Brian Mancini truly wants is to be a part of the historic lineage of creating great films.