Poker, Prop Bets, and 7 Days to Vegas with Vince Van Patten

You’re the writer, producer, and you star in it. Have you had a chance to kind of reflect on this journey, and what are some things you think about as you look back on it?
Personally, I feel this is the best film I’ve made to date. I’ve been acting in movies. TV for a long time starting as a kid actor. It’s the best thing I’ve ever done, so I’m very happy, proud of it.

What’s the biggest lesson that you learned making 7 Days to Vegas that you would pass on to a first-time filmmaker?
I think it’s very important not to compromise too much. This is your vision, especially if you’re the writer, producer. Sometimes you’ve got to hold out and compromise a little bit. But overall, most people don’t know your project like you, so you’re better off rolling the dice with your opinions.

“…most people don’t know your project like you, so you’re better off rolling the dice with your opinions.”

Also, another piece of advice is before you have your picture made, start to know some actors. That will mean something in the future. Develop good relationships, because you’re going to need to get actor stars, usually, get the money. We have a good cast. I didn’t know these people, but they were good enough to be in the film. But to get those A-List people in smaller films, it’s a tricky thing. So, um, I mean I guess it’s pretty basic, but it’s just the more relationships you have with, with strong actors or directors, it’s going to help a lot. Jennifer Tilly and Phil Lock, I know from poker. They read the script, and they loved it, so they were in.

Did you get Eric Balfour the same way to be your director?
We hired Eric two weeks before we started shooting. He was an actor. We liked his reel, and he was a first-time director. I think he did a nice job.

Thank you very much.
Hey, my pleasure.