The Moth Podcast Summary: Tony Buba – "The Rosary, The Vampire, and George Romero"

Episode Details:

• Title: Tony Buba: The Rosary, The Vampire, and George Romero
• Host: The Moth
• Guest: Tony Buba
• Release Date: August 10, 2018

Introduction

In this compelling episode of The Moth, filmmaker Tony Buba shares his transformative experience working with the legendary horror director George Romero. Through his storytelling, Tony delves into the intersection of family, faith, and filmmaking within the confines of a low-budget vampire film project.

Setting the Scene

Tony sets the stage by transporting listeners to the fall of 1976 in Braddock, a mill town near Pittsburgh. He describes his living situation and the environment that would become the backdrop for his collaboration with Romero.

Tony Buba [02:49]:
"It's fall 1976. I'm in my bedroom in my home... in Braddock, for those who don't know, it's a mill town right outside of Pittsburgh."

He paints a vivid picture of his attic bedroom, highlighting the cramped and low-ceilinged space that mirrored the challenges ahead.

The Filmmaking Experience with George Romero

Tony recounts his role as the sound recordist for Romero's vampire film, Martin. Despite being fresh out of grad school and relatively inexperienced in audio work, he embraced the opportunity to work alongside his idol.

Tony Buba [04:40]:
"I never really did that much audio before. So a little nervous."

He emphasizes Romero's ingenuity in managing a shoestring budget, utilizing his parents' attic as the primary filming location to save costs.

Tony Buba [06:15]:
"We're using my parents house. This scene, Martin is getting ready to get the steak driven into his heart... we only had two sets of sheets."

The Challenges of Low-Budget Filmmaking

The narrative delves into the logistical hurdles faced during the production of Martin. Tony describes the makeshift solutions Romero implemented, such as handling a train scene with minimal resources.

Tony Buba [09:30]:
"We'll have a light. We'll just have it rotate around the train with a crew member doing it. I said, George, is that going to work? He said, oh, yeah, man."

The dedication of the family crew—Tony’s mother, grandmother, and brother—underscores the communal effort behind the film's creation.

Tony Buba [11:45]:
"We have a crew of five on the first day was like a pickup game... My mother, she's washing the blood out of the previous takes from the sheets."

The Significance of the Film "Martin"

Tony reflects on the thematic depth of Martin, highlighting how Romero used the vampire archetype as a metaphor for capitalism’s draining effects on a community.

Tony Buba [08:00]:
"Martin was using the vampire as a metaphor for capitalism and how capitalism can suck the blood out of a community and just drain it towards death."

This symbolic layer added a profound dimension to the horror narrative, elevating it beyond typical genre conventions.

The Outcome and Legacy

As the shoot concludes, tension mounts around the quality of the audio work. Tony narrates the anxiety of falling asleep on set and the subsequent relief upon hearing Romero's approval of the take.

Tony Buba [14:50]:
"Good for sound. I mean. I mean, what was I going to say? Oh, no, George, I fell asleep through that whole take."

The successful collaboration not only resulted in a film that garnered attention but also cemented Tony’s credibility in the industry, leading to further opportunities with Romero.

Tony Buba [16:10]:
"As soon as the students found out that I worked with George dawn of the Dead Romero, I had instant credibility."

Personal Reflections and Acknowledgments

Tony poignantly honors the memories of George Romero and his late mother, drawing connections between his upbringing, family faith, and his enduring legacy in filmmaking.

Tony Buba [17:30]:
"What George did was make that goldfish bowl of Pittsburgh so large that people like myself could grow as big as we possibly could do, could grow as far as our talent would take us."

He expresses deep gratitude towards his family and Romero, recognizing their pivotal roles in his personal and professional development.

Tony Buba [17:50]:
"So I just want to say thank you, Mom. Thank you George and what George to say all of you out there."

Conclusion

Tony Buba's story is a heartfelt homage to George Romero and a testament to the power of passion, community, and resilient creativity in the face of daunting challenges. His journey from a small attic in Braddock to international film festivals exemplifies the profound impact of mentorship and collaboration.

Notable Quotes:

• Tony Buba [02:49]:
  "It's fall 1976. I'm in my bedroom in my home... in Braddock, for those who don't know, it's a mill town right outside of Pittsburgh."

• Tony Buba [08:00]:
  "Martin was using the vampire as a metaphor for capitalism and how capitalism can suck the blood out of a community and just drain it towards death."

• Tony Buba [14:50]:
  "Good for sound. I mean. I mean, what was I going to say? Oh, no, George, I fell asleep through that whole take."

• Tony Buba [17:30]:
  "What George did was make that goldfish bowl of Pittsburgh so large that people like myself could grow as big as we possibly could do, could grow as far as our talent would take us."

About Tony Buba

Tony Buba is a filmmaker whose works have been showcased at prestigious venues such as the Sundance Film Festival, Toronto, and Berlin. He is currently developing three new projects: Thunder over Braddock, Two Women from Tursi, and Struggles and Steel: 20 Years Later and Still Struggling. Beyond filmmaking, Tony honors his heritage by perfecting his grandmother's pizza dough recipe. For more information and to view photos of Tony on set with George Romero, visit themoth.org.