Today we’re speaking with Mario Telles, the screenwriter behind the script, Time. The script tells the tale of a group of young people trying to stat a heavy metal band and get it off the ground, along with all the obstacles that entails. Today we have the opportunity to ask
Telles some questions.
Chris McClure, UniversalCinema Magazine (UM): So what inspired you to write this story?
Mario Telles (MT): I was out of work as an actor during pandemic. I couldn’t go anywhere and my dad who I stay with is an emotionally abusive person. I was wanting to hear and see and read and tell a happy story from my imagination during what I feel is/was the toughest time in my life. My thoughts and feelings were about jamming and the fun that I had with all the bands and fans and venue owners in and around New Mexico and spanning the world over. The touring acts coming through town were fun to play shows with. Kind of like an “I Made It This Far!” kind of feeling. Really special and really amazing.
(UM): Could you tell us a bit about yourself?
(MT): I was a golfer concert goer from the age of 4. I saw a group of guys drinking and laughing one day at a bar for a gig my dad had. They weren’t hurting eachother,they were laughing at a movie. And it was that joy I saw that inspired me to perform and entertain. To help spread joy and happiness with me,my skills,my abilities,my emotions,all of my being. To never hurt anyone. It was all amazing to me. Like an awakening to do good for all forever. I know,it sounds like a childhood dream,but by the looks of my person and my career, I have been able to achieve so much positivity with my life. Now I have an acting career with over 30 different movies and TV shows as an actor,including a music video that has seen over 1 billion plays on Youtube. My writing has been all over the world including the Smithsonian Institution.
(UM): Do you play in a band?
(MT): I used to. I had the privilege of playing in 8 different bands. From rock and roll to black metal and death metal. I was even part of a band who performed on NBC as a musical guest on the After After Party Show. It was so fun.
(UM): It seems like you’re trying to capture something of the excitement of young people starting a band. What do you think are the biggest obstacles to making it as a band today? Do you think it’s different than it was many years ago?
(MT): Pandemic is the biggest obstacle. The fun and joy of playing in a band is just that,fun and joy. You’re not even really thinking about what else is going on but jamming. Performing live again is starting to really pick up for a lot of bands. It gives new hope to the bands just starting and to the ones that have been going for years. The show will go one even after all the hard times we’ve gone through over the past year or so. Music and performance is a part of so many peoples lives. It’s so important to get artistry out and running for everybody to enjoy. As far as being different it really feels like a new time for new music, new art. Bands have such a wide open opportunity to really shine with social media, new venues, and the older bands helping out the newer generations. New,new,new is what is ahead and it’s going to be amazing to experience!
(UM): Heavy metal seems to be one of the few genres where bands (instead of
DJs or produc-ers) can become somewhat successful. Why do you think that
is?
(MT): Heavy metal is unique because it’s roots musically are in complete opposites. Telling stories about the hardest situations in life,death,sadness,anger,frustration,and presenting that in a loud screaming fashion for people to enjoy. That is still a complete mystery to me but it is a part of our lives. From bands back in the day like Deep Purple and Iron Maiden to newer acts like Napalm Death and Brujeria, the subject matter was really dark and epic(opposites) but the musical performance and show is amazing. Pure energy and pure fun. The musicians put themselves in the toughest subject matter because it’s like a “go,get out of here negative” and let the fun in with the show and the performance. So brilliant, so inspiring. The success came from and comes from the artists enjoyment of doing what they do. The fans love it too! Nothing like a good old fashioned mosh pit of smiling faces! Truly an experience and truly a sight.
(UM): At one point Bibby says that time is the name of the game and that he is the instructor. Could you tell us more about that? Is this why the title of the screenplay is Time?
(MT): That line is from the veteran upbringing a lot of us had with parents or relatives that served in Vietnam. Very tough,very hard,and even very heart breaking. Like the mental beating that would never end at home. That’s why I hate domestic violence and bullying. Bobby is speaking like a drill sergeant who has been at his job his whole life. Experience and intimidation,like an angry parent from the nam generation. For me personally,that was where my sadness andndetermination came from to perform. Like a “you’’ll get out of this hell one day old boy,you can find that happiness”. The title came from my inability to speak to my dad about anything positive in my life. Like, happiness will come in due TIME.
(UM): Could you tell us any ideas about how this would look on the screen?
(MT): The show has an everyday vibe to it. Work, family, friends, and dreams. So in old school fashion, the action, the characters, the story all have this blue collar setting. Like always working and always dreaming! I had pictures in my head of the venue being like The Launchpad in Albuquerque where I jammed a lot. The record store is like a video store I used to love going to as a kid. It’s not around anymore but it’s still fun to remember. And the bust stop grocery store scenes were from a grocery store I used to live by in Albuquerque. Old fashioned but new to television and film.
(UM): Do you have plans to produce this?
Yes. There is a one production company right now called New Order Film US from Florida that is looking at the script right now. I’ve been doing all the work myself from home and on my phone. Linkedin has recently been a huge step in the right direction. I have been able to connect with folks from Netflix and NBC which is awesome. I really hope something happend and we can make the show. The way I wrote the story, I left the prequel to be wide open for a movie showing the early years of the band and the characters of the story. We’ve all had those “just beginning years”.