The following is an interview with comedian/writer/filmmaker Ron Placone regarding the release of his film, Left at Wall. In this interview, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief Barbra Dillon chats with Placone about his creative process for bringing the story to life on the screen, the themes that he hopes will shine through for audiences, and more!
Barbra Dillon, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief: Congratulations on the release of your film, Left at Wall! What can you share with us about the story’s premise?
Ron Placone: It’s a story about family, love, betrayal, and the struggles of life under capitalism told via a quirky indie comedy. It’s a sibling rivalry that goes haywire when one brother tries to thwart the other brother’s short sell attempt. It’s inspired by the GameStop occurrence that happened in 2021. When that happened, I was livestreaming in real time. I thought the whole thing was wild and, honestly, pretty hilarious. I thought it’d make the perfect back drop for a movie. A little bit before that, I had been commissioned to write some edutainment videos around how Wall Street works, so our financial system was fresh in my mind. So, the idea came pretty quickly and I started writing the script. I also decided I was going to write something that I’d be able to make no matter what, in other words, I kept location and characters in mind.
Another component was that this was written during the pandemic. We didn’t know what was going to happen in the world at the time. All of the scenes only have a few characters in them, tops, and many of the scenes are outdoors. This was all deliberate. I self-financed the trailer, and our first trailer was up by August of 2021. Sometimes, people ask me about Dumb Money, and truth be told our trailer was out way before them. But, to my understanding, both movies are quite different. Their movie was based on the actual real-life occurrence, ours isn’t. Ours explains how such a thing could happen, but the story’s fictional. We thought about playing that up in the marketing, something like “before Dumb Money there was Left at Wall!” I decided against it, though, because I didn’t want anyone to think there were any kind of sour grapes out there or anything like that. Cuz there aren’t, at least not on my end, heh.
When I was writing the script I didn’t think for one second I’d be the only person to create something that nods to the event, and I haven’t been. There’s been other movies and documentaries already. As far as I know, though, ours is the only one that’s done as an explainer and is a completely fictional story. Also, ours is unapologetically anti-capitalist, so I guess that’s cool. What can ya do?
BD: When tackling a project like this one and juggling the hats of director/writer/producer/actor, was there anything that specifically guided or propelled your visual or thematic approach to bringing the story to life on the screen?
RP: Well, I wanted to make a quirky indie comedy and that was the feel I was going for. I was very, very fortunate to have a team that understood the idea and did an excellent job executing it. I couldn’t have asked for a better team for this film and if anything or person was different, it wouldn’t have been the same movie. That goes for cast, crew, post-production, everything.
BD: Amidst the many challenges facing our community this year, Fanbase Press’ #StoriesMatter initiative endeavors to highlight the impact that stories can have on audiences of various mediums. How do you feel that this story may connect with and impact audiences?
RP: I think a story about family is always pretty universal and connects with audiences. I’ve had people come up to me and tell me it has made them reflect on their relationship with their sibling. I’ve gotten that especially from brothers. I actually don’t have a brother in real life, I have a sister and our relationship is nothing like the characters in the movie, which is a good thing. John and Don (Those are the names of the brothers. Yes, they rhyme and, yes, it’s intentional.) actually have a pretty troubled history, and as the film goes on, the audience learns more and more about it, and when you really break it down, it’s actually quite tragic. It also becomes clear that neither of them are 100% right, and neither of them are 100% wrong, and that they each would benefit if they actually learned from one another instead of antagonizing each other the way they do. I think in the times we’re living in that’s an important message. I’m not suggesting to accept the unacceptable or anything like that, but I am saying taking out anger at the world on one’s family isn’t the way to go. John (the main character) has justified anger towards the system in which we’re all forced to exist under (i.e., capitalism). While his anger is justified, his decision to take it out on his brother isn’t. And vice versa.
BD: In addition to your work on the film, you are also a comedian and political commentator. How do you feel that your work in these pursuits influences or impacts your work as a filmmaker?
RP: Pretty much all of the stuff I put out there has some social or political undertone. Left at Wall goes after the Wall Street machine. The next feature, Termination Fee, goes after the American healthcare system.
BD: Are there any other projects – past or current – that you would like to highlight for our readers?
RP: Actually, yes! My next feature is called Termination Fee and we’ve decided to launch it as a stage play, as well. It is going to be part of the Hollywood Fringe Festival in June (’25). Tickets go on sale May 1 and you can find all dates and information at my website, ronplacone.com. As mentioned, it’s a scathing commentary on the American healthcare system. I also have a podcast called 1000 w/ Ron Placone where I go on a quest to interview 1000 different people who have inspired me in some way. (Barbra of Fanbase Press is among the guests so far!) If you like punk rock, lefty politics, film, comics, radical acadmics, folk, activists, or just people with a wild pivot in their life story, you’ll dig this podcast. Finally, I still do some touring, I’ll be in Seattle on May 23 and should have some more dates in the fall after the Fringe, my website has all information there.
BD: Lastly, what is the best way for our readers to find more information about Left at Wall and your other work?
RP: Left at Wall is out now on Apple TV, Amazon Prime, YouTube Movies, Google Play, Xbox, and tons of other platforms. If you type it into your search bar, options should come up along with the trailer. Or, if you go to my website it lists all the platforms. Basically, ronplacone.com is always where you can find everything, heh.
