Nothing kid-like about The Powderkids

By Chris Perez

Just listening to Buddy Calvo, director of the upcoming indie film The Powderkids, was like watching a kid read his Christmas list to Santa Clause. The gleam in his eye, the excitement in his voice, the motioning of his hands...Calvo couldn't wait to tell his story. And when the film is screened at Santikos Palladium theater on Thursday, the audience can witness for themselves exactly why this young director was so anxious.

Calvo and producer, Perla Rivera, are no newbies in the indie film world. In 2008, the two collaborated on Jacob, another low budget film, which like Powderkids, is based on true events.

Like Lucas, the protagonist in The Powderkids, Calvo also took a break from college to find something, another calling if you will. What he found instead were his old high school friends, pretty much doing the same ol' same ol', being wild, partying, and using drugs, but having a thrill ride of their own nonetheless.

"I went to UTSA for a few years. I had a full scholarship, but my grades started slipping," Calvo said. "I had to have a certain grade-point-average for that scholarship, and sure enough I wasn't making it so I left.

That's when Calvo said he began hanging out with his old friends whom suggested that he follow them around and make a movie about their lives.

"That was a weird time," Calvo admits. "I was at Kinko's, I just left UTSA, I broke up with my girlfriend. I had nothing to do."

He said at first, he thought following his friends was just a waste of time. It wasn't until his friend Joe Gallegos, another of the film's producers, suggested Calvo make a movie involving drugs. Calvo said one of his initial thought was a movie about girls and cocaine, possibly called The Powder Room.

Gallegos thought it would be better if the film revolved around him, Calvo, and a few other friends, suggesting they call it The Powderkids. The name stuck.

"It really is a collection of stories," Calvo said. " In the credits it says written and directed by Buddy Calvo. Stories by Buddy Calvo and Joe Gallegos."

So the idea of a few friends involved in a world of drugs just so happened to take shape in this 90-minute drama. Don't let the drama tag fool you. Calvo promised enough action to keep viewers on the edge of their seats.

Those viewers can also expect to see lots of newcomers in this movie. For being a little "green," as he put it, Calvo said the actors were very convincing. Stephanie Hunter is one of the only faces you may remember if you happened to catch his last film, Jacob.

People should keep in mind the actors were not paid for the long hours they put into this production. The other female lead, Tasja Sachs, said she had so manipulate her time in order to shoot her scenes.

"I worked at FedEx and had to take a lot of time off," Sachs said. "I used all the vacation time, sick days and floating holidays I had. I almost got fired because I spent so much time on the film"

Sachs also recalled an incident in which she called in to work from the set of the movie and had to put on another performance for them as she played the sick role. It was all worth it she admits.

"I totally loved my character. I could relate to her because I have so many friends that are party girls," Sachs said while hiccuping during a phone interview. She admitted to having a few drinks prior to the interview, only proving that she was a reflection of the fun party girl she played in the movie.

After shooting for nine months, and editing for another three or so, Calvo hopes his small budget production will get a huge turnout. His company, Machina Cinema is currently working on smaller projects and taking a percentage of those earnings to put toward his next film.

Even though the company's budget was far from grand, don't expect a cheesy product. Whereas most movies are screened on dvd, The Powderkids will screened on Blu-Ray.

The Powderkids will be screened Thrusday August 19 and Thrusday August 26 at Santikos Palladium Theater located at The Rim on the city's northwest side. Tickets are available online at www.machinacinema.com. But tickets are going fast and will not be sold at the door, so be sure to purchase them soon.

For more information, follow The Powderkids on Twitter @The_Powderkids and find them on Facebook at facebook.com/the.powderkids.