Multi-Facial (1995)

Director:

Vin Diesel

Writer:

Vin Diesel (writer)

Genre:

Short

Plot:

A short film about the problems that accompany an actor as he auditions, due to his multi-ethnic appearance. |

Plot Keywords:

Directed By Star

Cast

Vin Diesel	...	Mike
Lewis Steidl	...	Lewis
Cara Gaffen	...	Wendy
Phillip Jones	...	Ivan
Ivan Jordain	...	Greg Thomas
F. Valentino Morales	...	Chico (as F. 'Valentino' Morales)
Erik Stephen	...	Rivera
Ruth Otero	...	Yvette
Kalimi Baxter	...	Pat
David Rainey	...	Alton
August Roc	...	Assistant
Emilie Daveyac	...	Misty
Colette Duvall	...	Silver
Barry Burns	...	Rogers
Cheryl Adam	...	Kate
Richard Width	...	Bob
Nancy Alison	...	Waitress

Directed by
Vin Diesel

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
Vin Diesel		writer

Produced by
Vin Diesel	....	producer
Lydia Sugarman	....	line producer

Cinematography by
Ted Sappington

Film Editing by
Kenna Doeringer

Art Direction by
Amber Alliger

Makeup Department
Sabine Koller-Dashiell	....	hair stylist
Sabine Koller-Dashiell	....	makeup artist
Mary Lee	....	hair stylist
Mary Lee	....	makeup artist

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Adam Grabel	....	second assistant director
Lydia Sugarman	....	assistant director

Sound Department
Paul Bozymowski	....	sound recordist
Tom Kapanka	....	assistant aound designer
Robert Montrone	....	sound designer (as Rob Montrone)
David Novack	....	sound re-recording mixer
Paul Vincent	....	sound editor

Camera and Electrical Department
Steve Bush	....	first assistant camera
Jonathan Gunning	....	swing grip
Jeff Kausch	....	gaffer
Jeff Kausch	....	grip
Julie Lei	....	second assistant camera

Editorial Department
Rich Cohen	....	negative cutter
Xenia Colon	....	post-production assistant

Other crew
Nancy Alison	....	caterer
Cassandra Illidge	....	continuity
Cassandra Illidge	....	script supervisor
Lisa Landphair	....	production assistant
Jennifer Loizzo	....	production assistant
Ricardo Volhman	....	production assistant

Production Companies

• One Race Productions

Distributors

• Warner Home Video (1999) (USA) (DVD)

Runtime:

20 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Company:

One Race Productions

Movie Connections:

References A Streetcar Named Desire (1951)

The short that launched a brand.

It's always interesting to see glimpses of stars before they were household names. Playing the role of casting director, I try to spot something that might indicate their massive potential, or alternatively, that they've grown a lot in their ability since then. In the case of Multifacial, Vin Diesel's self-penned and semi-autobiographical short, it is clear that this actor is going places.

There is something undeniably compelling about him. I first noticed him in the supporting role in Boiler Room, primarily for his voice. There's that deep gravelly tone that demands your attention. Couple that with his powerful physicality and you can see that this guy just needs the right role to exploit his talents. And where the Lundgrens and Rocks of Hollywood offer similar packages, Diesel brings an unquestionable intellect and vulnerability to the screen to set himself apart. Multifacial teaches 3 things:

One - a simply shot film (ie: cheap) can still make an impact, providing the story is engaging. Two - if the storyline feels "doccie", economical and imperfect shots actually help give cred to the film. Three - If an unknown actor is talented, even a tiny low budget short can garner the attention of the biggest player in Hollywood.

Evidently that's what Spielberg thought, as he contacted Diesel on the strength of this - check it out for a good chuckle, a glimpse of Diesel's comedic ability, and the star's take on the experience, looking back on it now.