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Neurotica
Overall Rating     Total Runtime 13:38
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Synopsis
Told in one single shot in which seven comedic mini-stories intersect, Neurotica follows the quirky patrons of a gay bar and gives the audience a glimpse at what's actually going on inside their heads. And it's not pretty.
About the Filmmaker

Nick Wauters

Born and raised in Belgium, Nick Wauters has written screenplays and been involved in film, TV and theater. His directorial debut was the short film Rainy Season., a Stephen King short story, which he also adapted and produced.

After receiving a B.A. from Oberlin College (Ohio), Wauters moved to Los Angeles where he worked as a Production Assistant for OC Alum James Burrows (Cheers, Will & Grace). He then worked as an executive assistant, development assistant, production coordinator, and production manager, before transitioning into freelance editing and working on reality and documentary shows.

In 2006, Wauters wrote his first script for network television, NBC's Medium before joining the writing staff of USA's The 4400 for its final season. Eager to get back behind the camera, he then penned Neurotica, which completed principal photography in the Fall of 2007.

Wauters is currently developing several new projects and is also writing for Sci-Fi's series Eureka.


Filmmaker Q & A
Q: What inspired you to make the film?
Nick: The idea for the film actually came from my fascination for people watching. I was having drinks with friends at the Abbey in L.A., and I caught myself looking at different people and trying to image what their stories were, watching the way they were behaving, and trying to figure out what's actually going through their minds. I'm a bit neurotic myself (okay, totally neurotic) and I figured I couldn't be the only. Most people project a certain image of themselves in public, a facade, that hides all the things that are going on in their minds (and I think a gay bar in Los Angeles is one of the best places to observe this phenomenon.) That's when the idea came to me. I thought it would be a lot of fun to tell some of these stories and to have them crisscross and unfold in real time. Each mini-story is based on something I've experienced or observe, and of course I decided to push everything a bit over the top for the sake of comedy. The stories are very gay L.A.-centric but I think everyone will be able to relate to at least a couple of stories and feel "Oh, yeah, I've done that" or "I've totally seen that happen." I also wanted to challenge myself as a director, so I decided to tell the entire story in one single shot. And challenging, it was. Each take was over 13 minutes, and with 17 speaking parts, a bunch of extras, and two boom ops, the whole thing ended up being like a giant ballet.

Q: What do you hope to convey?
Nick: First, we're all a bit neurotic at times, in our own ways, and that's okay. At first I thought it was just me, but then as people read the script, they kept telling me they could totally relate to some of the characters.

Q: Who is your favorite filmmaker? Favorite films?
Nick: I know it always comes across as a safe and commercial answer, but I am a big Spielberg fan, just because of what he's achieved and the wide range of stories he's been able to tell over the past 25 years. David Fincher and Christopher Nolan. They're really dark and I like that (although you can't quite tell from most of the projects I've worked on.) As far as comedy, I love Garry Marshall. The guy cracks me up, whether it's in front of the camera, behind it, or in person. And yes I am neurotic, but that doesn't mean Woody Allen should be one of my favorite filmmakers. Some of my favorite films are My Big Fat Greek Wedding, Meet the Parents, Transamerica, Camp, The Family Stone, Wild Reeds, Devil Wears Prada, Silence of the Lambs, Final Destination, Aliens, Seven.

Q: Anything else you would like to add?
Nick: I worked with an amazing cast and crew on this film. It was a pretty complicated shoot and I'm grateful to all of them for all their hard work. It's a pretty amazing process when you think about it. As a filmmaker, you have an idea, then all these people come together to make it come alive. It's pretty awesome.