Norman Pardo does not shy away from controversy, which can be a great asset in the world of film production.
‘I don’t know what’s in his head,? joked Jill Pardo, Norman’s wife. ‘Some of those things, I don’t want to know.?
One of Pardo’s recent projects has generated a lot of controversy and gotten him noticed by CNN and The Today Show. Through a business connection, Pardo, who runs Video Clips, Inc., was put in contact with OJ Simpson, who agreed to let Pardo follow him around for months with the camera rolling. The result was 70 hours of footage, which Pardo is in the process of turning into a movie.
‘It shows OJ in a different way,? said Pardo. ‘It’s going to show the real guy.?
But while the documentary footage is in the post-production process, Pardo is already hard at work on a new project. After recently moving to Clarkston from Florida, he thought his new hometown would make a good setting for his next project, a horror movie.
For now, Pardo is keeping the plot of his murder mystery a secret, but admitted there is a connection to his documentary about Simpson.
‘Oh, there will be a connection,? he said, but refused to elaborate further.
But just finding a good setting wasn’t enough. Pardo needed a home to be the centerpiece of his film, so he decided to build one. He contacted local builder Jeff Harrell to bring his imagination to life.
‘He’s very good, he’s very creative,? Pardo said about Harrell. ‘He’s creating my world for me.?
Harrell, who has been building custom homes in the Clarkston area for nearly 30 years, said Pardo’s is one of the more unique projects he’s worked on in some time.
‘We’re really excited about it. It’s not everyday you get to do something out of the ordinary,? Harrell said.
The finished project will be a 5,000-square-foot home, and will include special connections and setups for cameras to film Pardo’s movie.
‘With respect to a custom house, the digital system in this house is comparable to a commercial studio,? Harrell said.
‘It’s very exciting for me. I can’t stop thinking about it,? Pardo said.
A lot of his thinking has gone toward making sure nobody, including his cast, will figure out the ending.
‘That’s the best way to do a ‘whodunit,?? he said.
Right now, one thing Pardo doesn’t know is who will play the parts in his movie. That is where the people of Clarkston come in. Pardo is looking for 15-20 local people, 21-years-old and up, for an open casting call.
‘I’ve had my success so now I can share what I’ve accomplished with other people,? Pardo said.
Pardo is hoping people will be quick to contact him, so he can start shooting as early as Feb. 1. Anyone interested in auditioning can contact Pardo directly at 239-218-8750.