As a documentary filmmaker myself,(“I Know a Woman Like That”) I am very aware of the complexity of fulfilling one’s vision in that particular format. When I heard that the founder of Virgil Films (our distributor) Joe Amodei was working on a film of his own, I wondered what prompted him to move from one side of the business to the other. When I called to ask that question, he agreed to an interview with us.
After fifteen successful years in the distribution business, Philly-born Amodei, has embarked upon this related yet new direction. In addition to shepherding the work of others into the public arena, he was moved to do it for himself because of his lifelong love of Springsteen and particularly of the great (and sadly late) Clarence Clemons, an integral and irreplaceable element of E Street. In his eulogy for Clemons Springsteen said: “Standing next to Clarence was like standing next to the baddest ass on the planet. You were proud, you were strong, you were excited and laughing with what might happen, with what together, you might be able to do.”
Amodei saw a short film made by Director Nik Mead and Clemons himself while Clemons was still alive. He believed what these two of them had created could be a feature. When he asked them if they had more footage, turns out they did! A lot more, including footage of Clemons’ trip to China when he was on a spiritual quest.
According to Amodei, he and Mead worked together, combining the short film and the additional footage into a full-length feature about Clemons’ life. This shared endeavor turned into a labor of love.
“E Street made Clarence famous around the world; but Clarence always wanted to do other things too, things away from the E Street Band Clemons quest, and also doing something without E Street, was a big step for him, so there’s very little Springsteen in the film. I remember shaking Clarence’s hand and saying to him:’ I want to be the person who helps you and Nick do this’.
Those words made to Clemons years ago became a promise that’s kept me going through the years of making the film. I can’t express for you just how hard it has been to do this film, but it’s finally coming to the finish line and we hope to have “Clarence Clemons, Who Do I Think I Am” out by the end of the year.”
It was while doing this film, Amodei says he “got the bug” and is now looking at other projects in which to be involved. Producing is the next step for him:
“I’m sticking to two things I want to do to move toward. I’m getting in on the development of both documentary and episodic television. This is where my strengths are and where my interests are. And second, It’s also where I am fortunate to have strong connections with the networks that are airing this kind of product as well as with those on the digital side. This enables me to take a project and get it in front of the right people such as at Netflix, Amazon and Hulu.”
Amodei’s contacts are at the very doors which filmmakers need to have opened so that their films reach the audience they seek.
“I know the door they’re letting me in is very hard to get through so I make sure that the projects I’m presenting are worthy of being presented. I think what I do is a combination of factors. One is that I’m old!. I know everybody. I grew up in the business with the people who are now at those places. Second and more important, I’ve always tried to conduct myself in an open and honest manner with everyone — whether accounts or filmmakers. When I see obstacles coming down the road, I discuss those obstacles with both. A long time ago my own parents, and even my grandfather said to me ‘Doesn’t cost you a penny to be a nice guy.’ They were right! I’m trying to entertain and sometimes enlighten people, sometimes educate them; but the prime factor is that I’m entertaining them. If thru my projects, I can take them away from the problems of every day life that makes me happy.”
We pointed out that what he does, in a way, gives him a kind of “bully pulpit” that helps him to pursue and accomplish his goals. He agreed.
“I don’t take that for granted. I’ve been enlightened and educated. I’ve seen my life and opinions change including the way I look at things. That is the certainly the power of documentaries. But, if somebody came to me and said: ‘I have this great narrative it’s a great love story.’ I would jump on a plane for it in a second because, again, I have these contacts. I’m presenting projects that are in script form, and sometimes the principle photography is done and/or post-production is what’s needed. So I’m presenting all different stages and all different subjects. Some are very serious documentaries and some more frivolous. Overall whether I’m producing or distributing or helping get them made, I just want to get some good films out there for the public.”
Amodei’s achievement in consistently getting good films out there for the public is the hallmark of what he and Virgil Films do.
Creative Credits
- Written by
- Elaine Madsen
- Creative Credit
- Virgil Films & Entertainment
