FIFA FOREVER. The director interviews himself.
(Not that anyone is asking, but this tells the story behind the series.)
How are you?
Fantastic! Very excited and happy.
Really? Because you look like shit.
Thank you. I’ll wear that as a badge of honor. It’s been a rough and very long journey, but if anyone is reading this, it means that FIFA FOREVER is now live, so it was all worth it.
What is FIFA FOREVER anyway?
FIFA FOREVER is a fan-made, six-part comedy series about Diego (Argentina), Rafael (Mexico), and Pelé (Brazil), who are best friends and die-hard fans of FIFA. They find themselves in a fútbol video game battle to win the heart of a new neighbor.
Why make FIFA FOREVER? No one asked you to.
Why are you so aggressive?
Just answer the question!
Okay, okay. I’ve been a fan of the game FIFA for more than 20 years—I love this franchise! As a filmmaker, it was time for me to create a project, and I wanted to do something that was fun and close to my heart. I realized there hadn't yet been a movie or series that showed the culture of this beloved video game, so I decided to take on that duty.
Oh, you’re a real hero, aren’t you?
Not really a hero, but I do think a lot of people will be happy to see themselves represented on screen. From FIFA lovers, For FIFA Lovers, that’s our tag-line.
That’s cute. What if I don’t like video games, huh? What then?
But you do like video games.
Just answer the damn question!
Well, FIFA FOREVER’s ultimate message is that fútbol is life, and life is fútbol. You may not like or play FIFA the game, but if you’re a fútbol fan you will still enjoy the series because it’s packed with fútbol history, and love for the sport.
So you think you know fútbol?
My entire life I have been a devoted fútbol fan. I used to play religiously, and as a teenager I even had the honor of playing for Venezuela’s youth national team. I dreamed of going professional, but in the end, it wasn’t meant to be. The next best thing to being a professional fútbol player is playing FIFA, the video game.
So you think you’re a FIFA expert?
Not at all. I’ve never even made it past Division 5 on FUT.
Wow, you suck.
Well, I am you, you are me...
Whatever. Carry on.
That’s why you don’t see more fancy moves in the series’ game play. The only high level play in the series comes from Dirty Mike, our FIFA PRO Consultant, controlling Neymar in the practice arena.
Where did all that game footage come from?
The situations were written in the screenplay, and then we reenacted the plays in the game to capture them. We also isolated sounds, and some commentary. The FIFA franchise has always been beautifully designed. It was a real treat to work with such amazing content.
How long did it take to make FIFA FOREVER?
Mmmm... Forever?
I hope the jokes in the show are better than that... YELLOW CARD! No more jokes from you.
The basic idea for FIFA FOREVER has been swimming in my head for 5 years. About 3 years ago, I even attempted to make it but failed. This turned out to be a blessing, since the delay allowed for deeper development of the screenplay, and also for assembling a stellar team. On December 2016 we shot it in six days straight. It was in post-production from that moment, until a day or two before it came out.
How did you find your cast?
I wanted top talent, and we had very specific requirements. I needed the actors to be from the countries their characters where from, to get the most authentic accents, and Pelé had to speak 3 languages (Portuguese, Spanish, and English). I wasn’t sure it was going to be possible, but veteran casting directors Natalie Ballesteros and Carla Hool made it happen for us.
Did you have rehearsals?
The cast was very generous with their time, so we had some rehearsal days prior to production. This, and the actors’ preparedness and professionalism, is what made it possible to shoot so much content in such a short period of time. And of course, the fantastic crew behind it all.
Tell us about the crew. Where was this made?
This was shot in Hollywood, CA, using every corner of my one-bedroom apartment. There was a certain kind of magic on set—a harmony and flow. The conditions where intense. Long hours, tight spaces, multiple languages being spoken with accents from all over the world... But despite it all, there was always smiles all around. I can’t be more grateful to everyone involved in making FIFA FOREVER. They truly brought all their talent and love into the project.
What was the budget? Who produced it?
The budget was everything. I used all my savings, I sold my car, borrowed money from friends, and maxed-out a couple of credit cards to make FIFA FOREVER—it’s been all or nothing from the beginning. In addition, everybody on the crew offered the project a generous rate cut.
That’s a hell of a gamble.
It was necessary.
Take it easy, Chuck Norris.
Well, I just wanted creative freedom. FIFA FOREVER has been, since the very beginning, a passion project. It’s been about self-expression, and in a way, it has helped me find my own voice as a filmmaker. Non of that would be possible if someone else were funding the project.
That’s a good point.
We agree on something!
I do admire people with cojones.
Well, you are me, and I am you...
Did you have any particular inspirations?
I borrowed and stole from all over the place. I rewrote memes, I used clever quotes from other writers, and I emulated shots from directors I love. Also, a very insightful Internet video essay about Edgar Wright’s comedy techniques became my director style guide. The cast and crew were a fountain of creativity as well. If the idea is good, I’ll use it regardless of where it comes from.
Aren’t you from Venezuela? Why no Venezuelan characters? I smell traitor...
I strategically chose Argentina, Mexico, and Brazil, because I think they offer the richest fútbol history, and the biggest Latin American fútbol markets. Also, my father is from Argentina, so I have a particular knowledge and love for Argentinian fútbol. Mexicans and Brazilians I find to be lovely, and hilarious people. If there’s a Season 2, there will be a Venezuelan character.
Season 2? You’re optimistic.
I am! I even already have it all planned out. Seasons 2 and 3.
Fine. Tell us what you have in mind.
Season 2 would be all in English, somewhere in Europe—England perhaps. Maybe two English cousins who support rival London teams, an exiled Venezuelan making a new life in England, and a French or Italian exchange student. Season 3 pits the cast from Season 1 against the cast of Season 2 in an online duel.
I’d watch that!
Right!?
Let’s wrap this up. What do you hope viewers will take away from FIFA FOREVER?
I simply want people to laugh, be entertained, and to feel like we celebrated FIFA the video game. And most importantly, I want them to feel that we have honored the game of fútbol, and how it manages to bring people together.
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