đź’« SPOTLIGHT / INTERVIEW đź’«
An Exclusive Interview with Director, veteran, writer, performer, chef, fine artist, 'Kevin B Ploth', regarding his creation 'The GIANT'
What inspired you to create The GIANT?
A family member helped kick off the story back in 2013 Robert “Daddy B” LeBlanc of Maine and a veteran. Then the rest was born out of a song by Shawn Parsons country hit “Hell if I Know”. The rest is actually based on my experience and events I have witnessed or read about that help create the world of DO-NUT. High Noon meets Twin Peaks in the twenty first century of 2025.
About 'The GIANT':
Modern day sheriff and his journey to a tragic truth.
Deputy RamĂrez’s arc is intense in this episode — how did you prepare for such a heavy role?
Great question and there are several intense arc’s in GIANT Deputy Lee’s fall from grace is even deeper. For RamĂrez and his betrayal came from actual events I was a part of in my time with the ARMY and from events of the infamous 76 Precinct of the NYPD where a family member once was a part of before retirement. Preparation in writing his character was fun and how he transformed like Deputy Lee’s who both deal with duality and the consequences of ones actions.
Without giving away too much, how do you see RamĂrez fitting into the bigger mystery around the “3 Aces”?
Well that will be revealed in other seasons but his relationship to ACE 1 and the Brit who is add on to the crime group will only reveal itself in the not to distant past.
If you could rewrite RamĂrez’s outcome in Episode 3, what would you change?
If? Very funny and to be honest I would not change a thing only add more but as it stands it’s working and the readers love it and want more.
The show blends crime drama, family secrets, and thriller elements. How did that mix affect the way you approached your role?
For Sheriff Walker aka GIANT he has to be a rock but with emotions real emotions that are grounded in hurt as well as his own truth. Plus using my practical and military side helps give Walker a credibility that other shows don’t have. As a writer, director this adds more to help push the team and talent in ways they never have before. Many , many times Hollywood and “supposed know it alls..” have pressured, pushed and railed for me to change the cast! I told them no in no other terms..they stand because they are the Thriller, secrets, and the drama. The cast and crew are key to me for this mix and biggest asset is having real military veterans and first responders in the talent pool and crew.
The sheriff’s department ensemble has strong chemistry — how was it working with the other “deputies” off set?
Well we are still in Pre-Production hell. The chemistry with the core Deputies is tight because we talk and work on other projects together while getting GIANT to principal photography. Vanessa Thorpe, Kelley Polling and Jackie McCarthy are anchors to Diego Aguirre, Ed Trucco, Vinny Gomez, Thiago Santos, Cody Conwell and Errol Greaves. It is a first Sheriff Department on TV to have four or more Latino and African American representatives and Veterans. The characters all have powerful arc’s and truths that come out in further seasons. God Willing.
How do you personally connect with RamĂrez — are there traits of his you see in yourself?
There are aspects of him in mean. Two points that are very similar to are that of the feeling of being lost and then conflicted with my personal to the good of the team. The ego or Id is a powerful voice as a human. It is your upbringing and “WE Culture” that helps keep you on track and not go off the rails.
If RamĂrez had survived, where do you think his story would have gone in future episodes?
Ooooo don’t use this question that is giving to much away.
How much of your personal experiences or observations are reflected in this story? What message do you think audiences should take away from RamĂrez’s story?
As I said previously there is a lot of me in all six episodes. From my own family dynamics to my many relationships with co-workers, lovers and my own children. As writers and artists we always leave a part of us in our ART hence the name of my company ARTIMIS is ART-I-MIS plus a honoring people with sever dyslexia like me and those that suffer from mental health. For RamĂrez and the audience the path is clear. Consider the consequences and the actions always affect everyone not just in the immediate but as a collective whole. Everything ripples.
How do you hope fans remember Deputy RamĂrez in The Giant?
A man who was once on the right path now his course has changed due to his choices.
Are you working on any future projects that explore similar themes? What can your audience expect next?
We have and are. We have out now Diner of Darkness, Shadow Docket, and documentary This Stitching Will Last. All with cast and crew from GIANT. DP Larry Gress, editing by Ed Trucco and David Diaz. Brilliance of Michael Sean McGuiness, James Henry and Ed Trucco. Plus our sponsors and brands Penman Hats, Patriot Tactical, 51 Fifty Rifkes, Marathon Watch, PROPPER Uniforms, Cigar Saver, and Mokae Candles. We are working on Not Your Fathers Coast Guard with Mathew Mitchell and Remote Outpost with Travis Harman. Both authors are veterans. Go to Film IO to see GIANT and Not your Fathers Coast Guard at https://app.film.io/join/mail/kbplthrtmsbzd17f/thgnt?utm_source=prd&utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=proj even check us out on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/artimistheatricalproductions?igsh=MWxrc3E3OHoxNWl5dA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr