The Standard

Last week we launched our Standard travel inspired capsule collection with WeSC and introduced you to one of the five directors we commissioned to do a film at The Standard, Beth Riesgraf. Our next short film is directed by Giovanni Reda (seen below). First, here’s a chat with the director himself who cites The Godfather trilogy as his number one inspiration.

(Illustration by Squaregos)

The Standard: You are a part of the arts project created for the WeSC x The Standard Collaboration. Could you tell us a bit how that came about?

Giovanni Reda: It came about from Hanna at WESC. She asked me if I can do a photo and a video for The Standard with WeSC collaboration products. How could I say no? I’m always up for a new challenge.

In your Standard film, filmed at The Standard, Hollywood, describe the world you have created, and why?

I wanted to create the feeling of, you can be anyone and enjoy The Standard. You don’t have to be young and hip in the pool or at the bar. You can be an old guy by yourself in the room and have the best time.

At what age did you first fall in love with filmmaking, and how did you experiment to get it out of your system?

I’d have to say my first thing in filmmaking was this one. So I guess I was 37! I never thought about it before, and now I can’t wait to make the next one! I’m still trying to get it out of my system.

When you travel, what are the top 5 things that must be on your person?

Camera, video camera, passport, camera and video camera.

Please share one director/film that changed your life? Why?

That’s a tough one, I’d have to say The Godfather. Watching Al Pacino’s character go from a good kid to a sinister crime boss is some hell of an arc! People change, for good or bad, but we all have the ability to change so life is never stagnant. Just constant flux.

How do you see the Superlative Conspiracy including you into the way it works?

I’m just another part of life. Like everyone else, diversity is what makes the world go ‘round… so I’m helping it stay that way!

In 2011, what was the most impactful place you visited in this world? Why?

New York City! You can feel completely alone in a jammed packed bustling place that never slows down.

What is the ultimate dream project you plan to shoot before you leave this earth?

I’m not sure yet. I’m just gonna see what the universe throws at me and when I’m ready to leave this earth, hopefully I can look back at everything I’ve done as one big masterpiece.

Name your top 3 films that are set inside a hotel

The Shining
Forgetting Sarah Marshall
Godfather 2 (Even though it wasn’t set in a Hotel, all the scenes that were in a hotel were epic)

What are you working on right now?

This interview!

The Stay by Giovanni Reda from The Standard Hotel on Vimeo.