Steve Balderson is the 29 year old director of Firecracker, the forthcoming, Mike Patton starring "non-singing opera" that Jeres has been dribbling about for years.

According to the synopsis on its website, "FIRECRACKER is a bold and shocking true-to-life tale of murder in small town Kansas. Set against the stark beauty of Middle America, this astonishing story of abuse, suffering and denial reveals dreams of escape. The inevitable confrontation unleashes the truth concealed behind the pleasant façade of small-town U.S.A."

Dark! In addition, "FIRECRACKER pulls no punches nor hides from the ugliness that mars reality. It also reveals in its imagery a vividness and majesty that transcends mere mortality, exploding the myth of Middle America’s sanctity and piety, while opening the door to atonement."

Jeres tracked down Dr Balderson and asked him our 20 Generic Questions via the modern miracle of email. At the top of the email, he wrote, "I LOVE 20 QUESTIONS! It's my favorite game of all time!!" Whoo!

1: Hello Steve Balderson, how are you?

Fine, thanks. FIRECRACKER is damn near ready for the world. We've started strategizing with our Producer's Rep. He's helping us figure out the best festivals to enter, and the best way to market the film. He's described it as a visual, non-singing opera. Which sounds great to me.

2: What else are you promoting?

Quite a bit. I've just finished a feature documentary on the making of movies from Kansas. Both about my first film and FIRECRACKER. It's a cross between Madonna's Truth or Dare and something you'd see on National Geographic.

3: Are you proud of it?

Absolutely!

4: What was your first love?

Sketching and drawing people - in various stages of emotion.

5: Do you ever wish you were a kid again?

I feel like an oversized child sometimes. Which reminds me, when I was in kindergarten at age 5 or 6, I used to sketch nudes. My teacher wasn't pleased.

6: How did you start making films?

It's always been there inside me. At age eight or nine I remember making home movies of murder and espionage with my brother and sister - who were both about five and six at the time.

7: When you started did you have any agenda?

Oh yes. Having an agenda is genetically imprinted into my entire spirit.

8: When was the last time you had a fight?

The last time I was involved in any physical violence, it was with a bully in fourth grade. He was an asshole and treated people like crap. One day, he came up to me and started calling me names. I couldn't handle it anymore. So I beat the shit out of him and he never called me names again. Since then, I've matured and have found that the best way to fight is by verbally being totally honest and direct. That, in itself, scares the shit out of people.

9: When was the last time you cried?

I cried when I was editing FIRECRACKER. It's a huge part of my soul. I wrote it when I was 22 and I turned 29 this January. So I spent my twenties doing it. Having the experience of making it come together - and watching such an emotionally charged story - I couldn't help it.

10: What's the weirdest thing that's ever happened to you?

We shot portions of FIRECRACKER where the actual murder happened. And on the set one day Karen Black found this ancient Bible that must have belonged to the real family. Patton and I were there, and there was a definite sense that someone (not of the living) was watching us. It was by far one of the strangest feelings I've ever had.

11: And the funniest?

Shit, that's tough. I'd say the entire time I was in Stockholm. I love the way everyone there giggles. Constantly.

12: What's your proudest achievement?

My children: PEP SQUAD was my first born, FIRECRACKER is my second. I love them equally and am insane about them.

13: And of what are you most ashamed?

I'm most ashamed of the period in my life between 17 and 21 years old when I was learning about ME. I struggled a great deal to learn respect - for myself and others. I treated people really poorly and made some choices that weren't very good. But they helped me learn how to be a better, stronger person in the process.

14: Have you read or listened to anything decent recently?

I haven't - but later today I'm going out to buy the GIPSY KINGS new album. I love Flamenco.

15: Who will you vote for in the next election?

Not Bush.

16: Is meat murder, or is it nice?

Meat is lovely and good for you. I want to do a short about Henry, the cow. And his dream to be a Filet Mignon topped with black peppercorns. But the activists hold up signs and keep him from following his dream. They think they're helping Henry, but they haven't a clue. I think I'll call it "Poor Henry and The Goddamn Activists Who Killed His Dream."

17: "Winners don't use drugs". Discuss...

People on drugs think they're better because they're fucked up. There are just as many geniuses who don't use drugs - so one day maybe users will realize what their potential could be without them.

18: Where do you see yourself in five years?

Doing more with visual storytelling, learning more about life. And remaining productive while living it.

19: Is there a God?

There are several.

20: How would you like to be remembered?

Frequently.

http://www.dikenga.com/films/firecracker