Lorenzo Pisoni On His New Action Short Film Nightfire

The 411 Interview: Lorenzo Pisoni

Lorenzo Pisoni is an actor who has appeared in both movies and television, including movies like The Adjustment Bureau and Big Mommas: Like Father, Like Son and TV shows like All My Children, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, and The Good Wife. Pisoni’s latest effort is the action packed short film Nightfire, which is now available on both Amazon. In this interview, Pisoni talks with this writer about making Nightfire, working with noted character actor Dylan Baker, and more.

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Bryan Kristopowitz: How did you get involved with the short film Nightfire?

Lorenzo Pisoni: I grew up working as a circus performer with a father for a clown, and when I did a play about what it was like to have a clown for a dad, Brando saw that show. We exchanged letters – we are both old school that way- and a few years later Brando called me up asking if I’d do the film. I said, yes!

BK: How did you approach your character Agent Carter?

LP: I tried to figure out how I could be a person who spends his life following orders and then goes against orders in the biggest way imaginable, giving up his life. I am a rule follower naturally so I had to figure out that flip. Once I had Dylan to work with, though, that was easier and I could build forward and backward from that point in the script.

BK: What sort of training, if any, did you have to go through in order to play Agent Carter in terms of fight choreography, gun handling, etc.?

LP: I have done some roles pervious to this with guns and a lot of fight work so I didn’t do much for this film specifically but I chose to hold the gun in a little antiquated way because I think Carter is classic. I also did speak to a friend of mine who is special ops in the navy for a few tips which I found helpful.

BK: What was it like working with director Brando Benetton?

LP: It was wonderful to work with Brando. He’s tireless and a total cinephile. He works from love of film and love of the action film form, so it was always a pleasure to be on set.

BK: Where was Nightfire filmed?

LP: In the beautiful city of Verona in Italy and a few locations within a few hours of there. It was spectacular.

BK: How long did it take to make Nightfire?

LP: I believe we shot it in only 17 days which is completely mind boggling – maybe that’s wrong – but in any case it was so fast. No one could or would try to do that other than Brando.
BK: What was the hardest aspect of making Nightfire for you as an actor?

LP: The winter in Verona was pretty tough – very cold. But also just the pace at which we were shooting was kind of tricky sometimes because I didn’t have time to think very much which can be good thing.

BK: What was it like working with Dylan Baker?

LP: I’ve known Dylan for a while but we hadn’t worked together really. It was wonderful to have the chance. He’s talented of course, but more importantly such a kind person – funny and charming. He and Becky were certainly a major reason I wanted to be a part of this project. When we weren’t on set we would all share dinners together around Verona and drink too much wine. It was great.

BK: Do you enjoy working in the action/thriller genre?

LP: I love it. It’s every boys dream!

BK: Any moviemaking heroes?

LP: Harrison Ford, Quentin Tarantino, Kathryn Bigelow, Matt Damon, Cary Grant, Steve Soderbergh, Spike Lee, Buster Keaton.

BK: Any upcoming projects you can tell us about?

LP: Staying safe with this whole Pandemic is my major project these days. I’m hoping that once we all get Covid -19 under control, I can get back to working on stage here in NYC and in front of the camera. Maybe I can work with Brando again if he’ll have me.

BK: Would you participate in a Nightfire 2? Would you like to see the Nightfire concept expanded to a feature-length project?

LP: I would jump at the chance. I didn’t get enough time with Agent Carter and I think a longer format could expand on ideas that I wished we could have gotten in and some things that had to end up on the cutting room floor.

BK: What do you hope viewers get out of watching Nightfire?

LP: I truly hope they just have a great time.

BK: Does Agent Carter have a first name and if so what is it?

LP: Cheesy, I know, but I always thought his first name was Eagle… ask Brando, though.

BK: Does Greg Hadley still have that coin?

LP: I sure hope so- I gave it to him!

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A very special thanks to Lorenzo Pisoni for agreeing to participate in this interview and to Alicia Diaz for setting it up.

You can watch Nightfire on Amazon here.

Check out my review of Nightfire here.

Check out Lorenzo Pisoni’s Instagram page here and official website here.

All images courtesy of Hewes Pictures.