Do you prefer Comedy or Drama?
I have always loved comedy, it keeps me smiling
Life imitates Art or Art imitates Life?
Art imitates life, that is what film is about, imitating life moments in a real or unreal way.
Which is the best Moment on set?
Saying action
Did anyone ever tell you weren't good enough?
Never, I always look for criticism, but only got one, when filming I need to get closer to the actors face. I agree with that, so I started to do that in my films
How can you stay focused on your goal?
When starting a project, I look for something that has been in my life personally or something I have seen before that I wanted to be a part of. Then I just finish the project.
Have you ever had a breakdown because of your Job?
I took a year off my insurance business to have a rest. I have been doing it for 39 years. I needed a break.
Talent is a blessing or a curse?
Blessing, if your talented you should persue your dream of being an actor. I never thought I would be an actor, I started when I was 19 as a joke, Didn't restart until I was asked to be in a TV show called Dallas when I was 51. I told my wife, if they show me on that show with Linda Gray, I'll continue to do shows and become an actor. Even knowing I was just an extra. The director liked my look so much, that I got seen on that show by 8 million people. So I continued to work on Dallas and learned the acting business.
What would you like to improve about yourself as an
actor/director/screenplayer?
Every day is a learning curve in this business. I get better at it all the time. The key is , the more you do the better you get. A celebrity actor told me this. It takes 15 years to get a lot of work or maybe be famous. I became famous because I am persistent and creative with my characters. I have been doing this now for 12 years. I just hired a celebrity PR company RJ Garis and now we are working to get me more famous.
What's the worst critic you have received?
Don't have any
If you weren't an actor/director/screenplayer what would you like to be?
One thing I will say it that every business that I own is something The following is what I have owned or own now. Insurance , real estate and mortgage broker, travel agent, FNRA judge, Owner of a painting company, 3 retail stores, Ran an insurance company, owner of a consulting firm, owner of computer repair company, non-emergency medical transport and a Rabbi that does services for old people and my own synagogue. Mashugana Productions for film. Healthcare company owner Standard Medical Co-Op. There is nothing else I would like to do except make movies for Sheldon Mashugana and The Macher. Also work my healthcare company to save people money for healthcare.
If someone offered you to play/direct/write in/a movie that you despice but that for sure will make you rich and famous...would you accept the job?
It depends on who is giving me the job and who is in the movie. I have to like those 2 before making a decision.
What's your greatest ambition?
To make funny movies for the population to enjoy
What's your biggest fear?
Not being able to get the money to do the movies, I have 3 of them to do.
Does music helps you to play/direct, write?
No
You have the chance to make a Silent movie, what's your message to the audience?
I made one called Picture Me This, its on Opprime.tv and vimeo.com, I also listed it on filmfreeway recently. It's about a short I saw over 50 years ago and I can' find it, It's based on Marty Feldman as the key player. Sheldon Mashugana is at a mall and James walks into the mall and Sheldon wants to take his picture, James says yes, only James did not know that Sheldon would not stop taking his picture everywhere he want, then the chase begins,
Share your speech if you should win an Oscar.....
I want to thank my wife and kids for putting up with my craziness of comedy all these years, and thank all who helped me get to this exciting part of my life. I want to thanks the cast and crew of such show and all the people involved making the show.
I have won an equivalent to the Oscar for a short thru Global Film Festival, I actually have the star award and it's heavy, it came from the same place the Oscar was made. .I have won over 275 awards and climbing. It' s fun to win, but I had no idea that many people would love The School of Idiots.
What's the absolutely necessary ingredient to be a good actor/director/screenplayer/screenwriter?
Ability, a strong will, and the desire to do the best you can.
First and last cinematographic crush?
First and last, David Lean’s Lawrence of Arabia.
How old you were when you decided you wanted to be an actor/director/screenplayer/screenwriter?
I remember writing short stories and liking the creation, when I was in my early teens. But I really developed the love of writing in the early 1990s when I started writing a lot when I started working for my husband Bill in his law practice. I would do legal research and writing and found I loved it. I then started writing chapter books and have four books published in a series for children called The Cat Detectives. I have now written numerous screenplays and have one in preproduction now. Very excited about that because not only is my screenplay being turned into a film, I’m also writing the music for the film.
For you a Film is...
A means of expression that if done right, is a temporary diversion, but a thing of beauty, pleasure, learning opportunity, escapism, visual stimulation, and in the case of a beautiful film score that accompanies stunning cinematography, a moving moment in time. And of course, art.
What do you feel when you're acting/directing/writing?
Joyfulness. I absolutely love to write. When I’m singing and performing, I feel the same, except I would expand it to include happiness and love.
You can go to the Movies with an actor/director/screenwriter that you love. What kind of movie do you choose and with who you're gonna whatch it?
I would choose a film noir from the 1940s, or one of the Thin Man movies starring Myrna Loy and William Powell. Who would I go with? My husband, of course!
Audrey Hepburn used to say “Nothing is Impossible”, what do you think about it?
My motto underneath my signature line on my email is “Faith can move mountains” which is derived from a verse in the Bible. I believe, like Audrey Hepburn, that nothing is impossible. But you must believe you can do it, speak it aloud, then work tirelessly toward your goal to make it happen. Nothing is impossible, so long as you believe it to be so, and do what it takes to make it possible.
Can you live just off your passion?
This is a tough question. It depends. If your passion is being around your family and your pets, then that would not be a means to make a living. If your passion is your craft, then you must do what it takes to make it work, even if you must work at a job that incorporates your passion, but not to the extent you would like. If you mean, can you live and be happy off your passion, then my answer would be absolutely, yes. Do what you love and do it every day.
What's more important, talent or luck?
Unfortunately, the current answer in the industry is luck. But to me, talent is more important. You must go to a desert island, but you can bring with you just one movie...The 1959 version of Ben Hur, starring Charlton Heston. It has everything a movie should have, character development, character growth, self-doubt and healing, love, faith, love of family, intensity, courage, writing, cinematography, characters you care about, good versus evil, and those absolutely stunning Arabian horses!
Have you ever accepted a part/ a movie to direct/ a script to write even if you didn't like the project?
No. For me to do my best, I must love -- and believe in -- whatever I am doing.
What's the best compliment you have received about your Job?
There’s two. Having John Avildsen, the Academy Award winning Director of ‘Rocky’ calling my voice “nectar to the ears” and being named “Best International Singer” by 8 and HalFilms, Rome
. Are you satisfied about your career?
I am satisfied but I will not stop until I get a Grammy and an Oscar.
Do you have a good luck charm?
Yes. Prayer.
Which is the worst moment on set?
When someone throws a hissy fit or is unpleasant, upsets the karma, and creates negative energy.
How do you feel when a job you've been part of is ending?
Sad it’s over, but grateful. I love the challenge of creating and doing a great performance, so I never want it to end.
Have you ever lied to get a part/job?
Nope.
If you should win an Oscar your first thought would go to…
Thanking God for the wonderful opportunity and then my husband and family.