Andrew Gaty is the antithesis of everything pop culture has led film fans to believe about movie producers. Far from the boorish, fast-talking, time-is-money-money-is time stereotype, Gaty is that rare producer with an eye on both the bottom line and the art. Born in Hungary and raised and educated in Australia, Gaty is a true veteran of the film industry. In 1969, he founded the independent distribution company Seven Keys Group Pty. Ltd. By 1975, Seven Keys was the biggest indie film distributor in Australia outgrossing every major Hollywood Studio on the continent. In 1977, while still chairman and CEO of Seven Keys, Gaty served as worldwide marketing consultant to 20th Century Fox for an unheard of 10% of the worldwide gross of several films. As a producer, his credits include the fantasy/comedy “The Return of Captain Invincible” (co-written by Gaty and “Die Hard”’s Steven E. deSouza and starring Alan Arkin and Christopher Lee), “Stanley: Every Home Should Have One” and “Heart of Midnight” (Gaty’s first American production starring Jennifer Jason Lee and Peter Coyote). Keep in mind that this is a short list of Gaty’s cinematic accomplishments. Undoubtedly, he is a filmmaker who gets things done. But, beyond the impressive professional credits, Andrew Gaty is one hell of a nice guy. Name one other LA based producer who answers his e-mail or would personally return the call of an unknown freelance reporter on the East coast. No Hollywood power trip BS with this guy. Gaty is out to make movies not serve his ego. He truly understands the relationship between filmmaker and audience as few others in his profession do or care to.
So, it comes as no surprise that Gaty would finally team up with his longtime friend – another notorious nice guy – horror film legend George A. Romero to undertake one of the most unusual, ambitious and fan-friendly film projects ever conceived. The film is “Diamond Dead,” a nearly indescribable mix of horror, comedy and rock ‘n’ roll (courtesy of “Rocky Horror Picture Show” composer Richard Hartley). The story, formulated by genre artist Brian Cooper and rewritten by Romero, about a rock band that returns from the dead redefines the term high concept, but the truly revolutionary thing about “Diamond Dead” may be the fan driven approach that the filmmakers have taken with pre-production and promotion with the Diamond Dead” website.
In this exclusive interview, the “Diamond Dead” producer talks candidly about the perils of independent financing, fan-friendly filmmaking and an impending partnership with Ridley and Tony Scott’s Scott Free Productions which may take the project far beyond the expectations of both the producers and the fans.
Get the interview in part two of ANDREW GATY: ROCK ‘N’ ROLL ZOMBIES FOR THE FUTURE>>>
