Guy Petruzzelli

How did you end up getting cast in the film Sorelosers?

To be honest with you, I wasn’t supposed to be in it at all.  About two years ago my sister was getting married to Richie’s (Director) cousin, John Fairclough who actually ended up my brother-in-law in the film.  That’s when I met Rich, during all the wedding preparations and then the ceremony itself. Although we really didn’t know each other, we got along like best friends. But our personalities are complete opposites, yet we had this great chemistry, it was the strangest thing. Everyone around us at the wedding swore we knew each other for years. So, that’s when Rich decided to write me in the script, just for a few small parts.

From what we have heard that you were only supposed to be in a couple scenes, how did you end up becoming one of the main characters?

After Thanksgiving 99,  I did the first scene. Rich reviewed it with some other people in the industry and they all thought I had a great presence on the camera and seemed to be really comfortable; that I had good acting capabilities. This all struck me by surprise, because I thought I sucked, but three days after shooting Rich called me and told me he was reworking the script to make me one of the main characters. I couldn’t believe it. I had no acting experience other than trying to meet women. So Rich wrote this new part and it was an absolute blast. I learned more about live in those shoots than I did about filmmaking. But the most important things I learned were about myself and who I am.

Did you do any certain preparation for this role?

I am supposed to play a options trader at the MERC, in Chicago, so I just drew from my experiences working down there as a clerk. That was an education. I was going to law school, and clerking for a friend who traded for himself. It was a constant roller coaster, especially when the market would start rolling. But what I tried to bring to the film was the way they walk and bullshit each other, it’s like they have this certain demeanor. At times they are a ton of laughs and the next minute there stressed out of their minds. Outside of that, I just tried to be myself. 

Rich has said that when you would show up on a shoot it was like you would show up and you wouldn’t have to get in character, you didn’t have to look at you lines, it was like you would already be in character. Can you comment on this?

At the point while making the film I was at a bit of crossroads myself, just like my character. I had just started a new job, and wasn’t sure if I wanted to take the Illinois Bar, and I was in a relationship that I wasn’t sure about either. A lot of scenes where were I was conflicted was real. I think that that may have helped my character seem more believable. Drawing on personal experiences was pretty crucial for me, because it helped me envision what my character was going through. When you see how my character reacts and acts in the film, you can almost see yourself, put in situations where your morals, goals, hopes and secret desires are all at play in one or two moments. That’s how life is, and sometimes, no matter how hard you try you get boxed in, you get corned. Its how you fight your way out that defines the person you really are. 

From what we heard you were doing your shoots all over the city of Chicago. Many without permission or permits. What was that like?

It’s funny, looking back, here I was studying to pass the Illinois Bar, to become a licensed attorney in order to defend and uphold the law and most of the shoots we did, were in direct violation of the very thing I was studying to protect. That was the thrill of it though. All the shoots were on location; none were done in a studio. That was the coolest part of the film, going from seedy place to seedy place, like one scene we shot was actually in a hotel where people were dealing drugs right next to where we were shooting. See we used real guns on almost every shoot so we had to go where if people saw you with guns or arguing that weren’t the type of people to call the police.

How was it actually working with the Rich Celenza?

Rich gave us all a lot of freedom with the script, allowing us to ad-lib some scenes, to make it flow better. Some scenes though, had to be in his words, because he knew exactly how the shoot should go down. He has a great vision though, he knew his subject matter so well and he knew exactly how to express those images to all of us. I think he has a great future in film. I mean I am no Scorcese, but I think he is pretty amazing. And he knew how to how to control all of us. He’s an imposing guy, built like a truck and has no conscience to tell you what is on his mind.  You knew to get your shit together. But we all were friends when the film was done.

It seems like almost everyone in the film is either related or were like close friends for most of their lives. Your character in the film was an outsider very similar to what was going on during the shoots.

That was a little daunting to me at first, because all these guys knew each other, some like brothers. On top of that most of them, well they were real gamblers. Pieces of the film come strait out of their lives. We would do some gambling scenes, and these guys start really playing. I guess that helped the scenes, because it adds the reality to the movie. Everyone  made me feel welcome though. I got along with everyone and made friends with a few guys that I still talk to all the time. For some people, I can see how they could be intimidated by some of the “crew”. I mean some of these guys were strait up thugs, but I loved it, I loved being with them and hanging out after shoots, talking, bullshitting, laughing.

The chemistry on screen between you and Rich seemed to gel together unbelievably.  Any comment? 

Rich and I had the best chemistry of all the characters that I saw. Originally, the scenes that I shot with Richie I think were going to be shot with my brother-in-law Johnny. But Rich filmed a scene with Johnny. But Rich and I clicked better. We are like the true odd couple, but together, we worked. I think it was due in part to the fact that we became friends. We have that ability to mesh clashing personalities to make it work. And secretly, I think we both want to be a bit like each other in real life. Maybe that’s why we get along.

 Is it true that you only you and three other really know how the film ends?

Yes, that’s true. I know only because I am in the last few scenes of the film. The extras and actors that were in the last scenes didn’t even have an idea that it was the end. That was a tough part of the film, you really only knew what was going on in the scenes you were in. You didn’t have the entire script, just the parts you were in. So, you would go to the shoots, knowing only your scene. You were never allowed on any of the shoots unless you were in the shoot. Like when I watch the trailer, the only shots I recognize are the ones I’m in. I have no idea about what really happens throughout the rest of the film. I guess that the way Rich wanted it. I think it will surprise most people.

Are their any future projects that you are working on?

Actually right now I am working as an attorney, currently unemployed, in Chicago, but I am looking for a new job in either law, o marketing.  I really enjoy acting; I would love to give acting a real shot, as long as I can get steady work. But Rich is working on a new script and wants to start filming it around October or November. He actually told me he’s writing it with me in mind to be the main character in that film as well. I definitely plan on doing that because I would love the chance to work with my friends again. Also, I think that the chemistry between Rich and I is such that we could be successful together in several projects. Other that that, I am training to do a full triathlon race season, hoping to qualify for the amateur National Championships. Beyond that I keep trying to convince this girl in Las Vegas to come back to me.

Any final statements about the film?

I think I cam sum up the film in this story that happened while we were shooting. We were doing a scene in a guy’s basement, one of Rich’s cousins and Rich told me to ask the guy what time it was. I had no idea why, but I went along, so I go up to this guy, not an imposing guy by any means, but I still was a little spooked, so I asked him “What time it?” And without blinking an eye, this guy looks at me, strait faced, and says, I swear to God, Its time to go to fucking Vegas”. That’s how true to life this film is. But seriously I think it was one of the best experiences of my life. It was at times very stressful but at the same time very rewarding.  The people in the film, I thought everyone was crucial in making the film work, no matter how big or small a role. And I owe a lot of my character development to them. Best of all, I made new friends, and learned about myself and had fun. I hope that audiences really see the movie for what it is saying. These people, this life, it its all around you and is just as prevalent in our society as drug addiction. Gambling ruins lives in a way drugs can’t, you don’t see it as an addiction because it doesn’t come in a pill or needle. You can lie to yourself, because sometimes you may win and think that things are turning around, all the while you aren’t even breaking even. Also, I want people to realize that this can happen in any city, to anyone, in all walks of life. And Chicago is a great town. It has everything, honestly, and people should know how cool it is to live and breathe here.