BTL Radio Show – 01/19/2026 with guests PAUL SCHWARTZ talking STOP TIME and SALVATORE SCIORTINO & JOSHUA TATE talking ROOF

Welcome back to BEHIND THE LENS!  This past weekend was Dances With Films NY and from all accounts, it was a blast.  You all know how much I love to champion indie films, which makes DWF one of my fave fests.  And how lucky are we to not only have DWF in Los Angeles later in the year, but also an abbreviated version in NY!

I was privileged to screen a few of the fest films before their premieres and screenings at Dances, as well as speak with some very talented filmmakers, who you are going to hear from right now.  Two standout world premieres at Dances With Films and films that I already love are the elegant and emotionally beautiful STOP TIME from PAUL SCHWARTZ, and the edge-of-your-seat human thriller ROOF from Salvatore Sciortino and Joshua Tate.  So sit back and take a listen as we dive in.

First up, let’s take a look and a listen at STOP TIME and my exclusive interview with writer, director, editor, and cinematographer PAUL SCHWARTZ.  And did I mention he also composed the film’s end credit song?  As mentioned, STOP TIME had its world premiere on Saturday at Dances With Films NY film festival, and while currently on the festival circuit, I anticipate it won’t be long before the film gets a distribution deal.

STOP TIME tells the intertwined stories of Peter de Vries, a photographer, and Adrianna Maier, a theatrical lighting designer. Both are carrying heavy burdens of sadness: burdens that mutual friends of theirs believe each could lighten for the other. Over the course of 24 hours in New York City, their lives circle, until they meet at the opening of Peter’s gallery show, which leads them both down an unexpected path.

Written and directed by PAUL SCHWARTZ, STOP TIME stars Nelson Avidon, Tara Westwood, Patty McCormack, Kelly Deadmon, Christina Toth, Catherine Quirico, and Daria Karic.

In this exclusive interview, writer/director/editor/cinematographer Paul Schwartz discussed his film STOP TIME, which he expanded from a 44-minute short. The film, shot in black and white, explores themes of loss and recovery, inspired by his wife’s breast cancer diagnosis. The story revolves around a photographer named Peter, with Adriana’s backstory adding depth. Schwartz did a mix of formats, including using Super 8 film for vintage home movies, and employed creative editing techniques, including time-lapse and superimpositions. The sound design, blending ambient sounds and music, enhances the emotional impact.  Schwartz, with a background in music and ballet, meticulously crafted the film, aiming for a delicate, ballet-like elegance.

Now, I want to let you know that after listening to this week’s show and this interview with Paul Schwartz, you can go to the website, www.behindthelensonline.net, and not only hear this interview in its entirety as a stand alone, but you’ll find my full review of the film, and an exclusive interview with none other than the legendary Patty McCormack talking about STOP TIME and several other projects she’s currently working on.  And yes, we talk about Rhoda and “The Bad Seed”, too!

STOP TIME is currently on the festival circuit.

Now, let’s switch gears with a film that I was riveted by.  ROOF.  That’s it.  One word.  ROOF. It’s a human thriller, a nail-biter, it has some wonderful cinematic nods to beloved films of the past few decades, boasts strong performances, creativity, and, in all honesty, is a Must See Film.

The premise is simple and effective.  When a catastrophic blackout leaves two strangers, Dev, a trader who just lost the company millions, and Mary, a pregnant woman with nowhere to turn, trapped on a rooftop in downtown L.A. over July 4th weekend,  survival becomes a brutal waiting game. With no water, no exit, and the city oblivious to their cries for help, the heat and hunger push them to the brink, both physically and mentally. As desperation sets in, a bond forms between them, blurring the lines between fear, trust, and something deeper. But as their bodies weaken and the ledge starts looking like the only escape, they must decide: wait for a rescue…or take fate into their own hands.

Directed by SALVATORE SCIORTINO with script by JOSH TATE, ROOF stars Asif Ali and Bella Heathcote.   In this fun, exclusive interview, Josh Tate and Salvatore Sciortino discuss ROOF, highlighting its meticulous production details.  Sal praises Jonathan Pope’s cinematography, noting the visual interest despite limited resources on a rooftop.  Josh shares the film’s development, from its initial concept inspired by “The Hangover” to its thematic evolution from existentialism to a journey from selfishness to selflessness.  They emphasized the importance of intentional set design, lighting, and editing, and even the make-up and hair departments, with their realism, which only added to the already outstanding performances by Asif Ali and Bella Heathcote.  Adding depth to the film is the score composed by Curtis Green, and the end credit song by Kate Grahn.  Now, if Kate’s name sounds familiar, it’s because she is the daughter of Emmy-winning actress and “General Hospital” fan favorite Nancy Lee Grahn, who has always kept her fans in the loop with Kate’s burgeoning music career.  So, for all you fans of GH and Nancy, Kate’s song is an added perk to seeing ROOF.

ROOF is also currently on the festival circuit, so keep your eyes peeled for this one, because you don’t want to miss it either at future film festivals or on distribution, which I expect will be sooner rather than later.  And you can find my full review of ROOF and stand alone interview with the guys on the website.

ROOF is currently on the festival circuit.

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