logo les belles affiches

Les belles affiches > Interviews > Gabriel Napora

Gabriel Napora: film producer

By ✉ webmaster@lesbellesaffiches.com


Also read the story of Ghostpuncher

The interview of Jordan Mc Closkey

The interview of Trevor Cornish


Mr Napora is the owner of Triton Films Inc. and Indian VFX company Tiyabella Visual Effect. He has recently produced the Martin Sheen film Badge of Honor and Danny Trejo's Juarez 2045. Chappie starring Hugh Jackman, is a Sony feature based on a short film Gabriel Napora produced with Neill Blomkamp (District 9). He currently has projects in progress with Paramount, Warner Brothers and Lions Gate Entertainment. Gabriel's work is known for visually striking, heavy visual effects films. Still, the work of producer is still underestimated and a lot of people are unfamiliar with it, so let's ask him some questions.


Gabriel Napora

Hello Mr Napora. Can you tell us about your profile and how did you become a film producer? I run a film production company called Triton Films Inc. And I’m on the board of directors of a media company called Geonovus Media. I also co-own part of a visual effects company. I’ve discovered talent like Neill Blomkamp(District 9, Chappie), and Trent Opaloch the cinematographer of Captain America Winter Soldier, Elysium and many others. Most of my projects are scifi based with a lot of visual effects. Why did you choose the movie industry? It chose me. I stumbled into it. I failed at selling security alarms when I was young. I tried acting but didn’t take to it. I did however love the behind the scenes. I did some schooling and then did a four month unpaid practicum. After that I was producing commercials and have done nothing but produce (and a little bit of directing) since. Generally how do you get the budget of a film? We Schedule it out. Then I get my line Producer to budget it. After he does a pass I go in and fine tune it. Because I know a lot about visual effects, I’m able to figure out ways to make things work at all budget ranges. I heard you own a production firm and a special effect company. What is the benefit of creating several companies? They work synergistically well together. Because most of my projects are visual effects based I can run it through this company. Now with a public company that I run with my producer friend who received an Oscar for a project he executive produced Tim Marlowe, I have different methods to raise money for films. Describe us your typical working day I’m on the phone from about 8am and I don’t stop working until about 12 am. I love it. It’s by choice. I have a lot of meetings, travel a lot and am on my computer constantly. My most productive creative time is 12am on. You produced the short movie « Tetra Vaal » by Neill Blomkamp. He's been directed Hugh Jackman in Chappie. Do you have any projects together, you and Neil? Not anymore. Neill started his directing career at my company and he’s gone onto doing some amazing things. I’m a huge fan of the work he’s done. I do however have projects with many directors who I believe will have the same career trajectory as Neill. The Ghostpuncher's posters likely shows a horror film with a modern/retro feel. Why did you choose to produce such a movie? The idea is phenomenal. The script is hilarious and scary. Jordan (the writer) is a real talent. And Trevor Cornish who will direct... We started out in Vancouver together many years ago working on music vidéos and I’m a fan of his work. I think the project is really great. Most generally, horror film has a worldwide audience but also hard to satisfied. Do you feel a particular pressure about that? No. We’ll make the best movie we can. And the script is already great and has gotten excellent feedback so I feel very confident going in. I think horror fans will love this film. You also produced Danny Trejo's Juarez 2045. Danny is an incredible actor, often playing supporting role but Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez hardly make a movie without him ! Can you tell us about the man? Danny is excellent to work with. A true Professional. And not only that he’s hilarious and has the most amazing stories. I would work with Danny again in a heart-beat. And he delivers on every take. The whole team I worked with was amazing from Rocky Mudaliar who brought me into it to Chris Le the director and Brad Schmidt who played the lead role. You also produced Danny Trejo's Juarez 2045. Danny is an incredible actor, often playing supporting role but Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez hardly make a movie without him ! Can you tell us about the man? Danny is excellent to work with. A true Professional. And not only that he’s hilarious and has the most amazing stories. I would work with Danny again in a heart-beat. And he delivers on every take. The whole team I worked with was amazing from Rocky Mudaliar who brought me into it to Chris Le the director and Brad Schmidt who played the lead role. The LBA website talks about movie posters and artworks. Perhaps you have a favourite movie poster? I have several. A Clockwork Orange, Jaws... Gabriel's favourite posters What is your favourite movie? As a drama I would say The Shawshank Redemption. As a Scifi film Blade Runner and Dark City. I also like 28 Days Later very much, as an horror film. Your favourite director? This is a tough one. Modern day I’m a big fan of Denis Villeneuve as I think he’s doing some amazing things. From all time, there’s so many. Ridley Scott, Spielberg, Alex Proyas (read again the special story about Alex Proyas here), James Cameron, Alan Ball. God... I could list about 100! There’s so much amazing talent out there. And I think Trevor will become a great film director too. The person you dream to work with? Jerry Bruckheimer. And I can’t talk about it, but my dream seems to be coming true(laughs)! Also Roger Deakins as a cinematographer. Not sure this dream will come true though. We will see. Your best and worst memory? For the worst I have had a couple horrible experiences on music videos in the rain. Some actually with Blomkamp. No fault of his but when you are shooting in a torrential downpour and trying to make it look sunny... it’s hellish. Another worst was getting defrauded out of $500 000 by a guy named Joe Bretz and his lawyer on a film deal. That set me back several years. For the best it was getting to a point of where I’ve sold projects to major studios and major studios are funding me on various projects. Everyday you can work in this industry and make money is amazing. I never take for granted how fortunate I am to be working with incredibly talented people and that people in powerful positions believe in me. And that I get to work with magnificently creative people. I really am thankful that I get to do what I’m doing.