Destin Pfaff is the writer and producer of the new film “Sushi Girl”. Destin is also the COO of the Millionaire’s Club and co-star of “The Millionaire Matchmaker”. Media Mikes had a chance to chat with Destin about his new film and what we can expect next.
Mike Gencarelli: How did you come up with the idea for the film, “Sushi Girl”?
Destin Pfaff: Alcohol [laughs]. As much good idea usually come from alcohol. Kern Saxton, my writing partner and also director of “Sushi Girl”, just came off a thriller project. It was this rock n’ roll good time but when we were about four or five days into production, we had to shutdown. The crew walked out of the set and the producer pretty much said “Hey guys I am out of money you should just go home” and that was it. We wanted to do something that would be more contained and we could just do ourselves and not have to depend on anyone. I have been lucky enough to option some script but nothing every gets made. You don’t have a career if nobody knows about it. So we decided to create this intimate little movie that we could fund and make ourselves. We both like sushi, we both like naked girls and we both like bad guys. All three of those put together and out pops “Sushi Girl”. It just kind of got bigger and bigger…I bugged Tony Todd to the point where he had to do the film and he made it even bigger.
MG: How did you get such a great cast including, Noah Hathaway, Sonny Chiba, Mark Hamill, and Tony Todd in “Sushi Girl”?
DH: I loved our cast. Not only did we have so many genre heavy and very cool people that I grew up watching, but I am honored and blessed to be four or five months past principal and they are all still my friends. I was at Mark’s house for a BBQ and hanging out with Noah this week and Tony literally just called me before this interview. This never happens on a film set and it just blows me away. They are just good people. Noah is back full force from being retired for like two decades. He was tattoo artist in Amsterdam when we brought him back. Mark Hamill said no to the project a few times until his daughter harassed him into doing the 
movie. He was an amazing professional and he really got his hands dirty. Jeff Fahey came on board for a couple of day from out of nowhere. He said he wanted to be in the movie, so we went it and expanded a role. He turned this little thing that I wrote into this amazing and memorable character piece. Everyone will remember Jeff Fahey from this movie. Andy McKenzie and Jimmy Duval were great..love them. Tony Todd deserves an award for his performance in this film. He is a really brilliant actor.
MG: Tell us about juggling the role of writer, producer and actor in the film?
DH: My first passion is writing. Anything that is pulpy, juicy, delicious and fun…writing is an event. It is where you can put all those nasty dirty ideas in your head on to paper. That is my therapy. Producing was kinda of cool but nobody likes to crunch numbers and be responsible to force things to happen. We were able to problem solve and actually work with other people that we trust. We always made sure we had a clear path and democracy…and it works. Producing doesn’t have to be madness. On this film producing was more of a breeze than a headache. I love acting also. In my opinion you cannot be a good writer, director or producer…unless you can act. I love it all man…life is too short to just do one thing.
MG: Tell us a little bit about the production of the film?
DH: We were lucky enough to shoot at Universal Studios. We shot for just over three weeks. The special effects company, V.G.P., they came out they did shit for us that was so beyond what our little movie was anticipating to get. They would come on days when they didn’t have to be there…show up and just make sure everything went smooth. We had car crashes and it was really amazing. We got to do some really cool stuff. I mean they let us play with fire. The whole thing was just so much fun. We are 
hoping for a release in early 2012.
MG: How do you go from COO of the Millionaire’s Club and co-star of “The Millionaire Matchmaker” to working on a film like this?
DH: I have been writing for close to twelve years now and producing shorts. I have been around the game enough to know that making movies is a blessing. No matter how big your film is it is just a blessed to get it made. Everyone has to have a day job and in this industry. I started helping out helping Patti Stanger with the company and then there was a pilot for the reality series. It was this whole kind of entity. It has been a good time and also good exposure. It is a lot of work to run that company plus it is a lot of work to do the TV we do. In the end, we are very tired but it is all worth it.
MG: Tell us about your script “RIPP” and what is happening with the feature?
DH: “RIPP” is on the back burner right now by choice. We are working on a top secret script right now. “RIPP” would also involve Tony Todd, as I am his biggest fan. It something that he wants to do and I want to do but maybe next year we will revisit that one again.
