James Gandolfini supports Asbury, independent films 'Sopranos' star premieres short at G.S. Film Festival BY JENNIFER KOHLHEPP Staff Writer Actor James Gandolfini and director Paul Carafotes discuss the release of their short film during the Garden State Film Festival in Asbury Park on March 24. It was reminiscent of the dream when the fish spoke to Tony Soprano to let him know it was time for Big Pussy to go. On an overcast March 24, actor James Gandolfini again walked down the Asbury Park boardwalk, only this time the situation wasn't scripted by "The Sopranos" writers. He was there promoting "Club Soda," a short film he produced with director and friend Paul Carafotes. The film, which stars Louis Gosset Jr., Joe Mantegna, Steven R. McQueen and Michael Rispoli along with Gandolfini, had its East Coast premiere during the Garden State Film Festival. After the screening at the Paramount Theater next to the Convention Center, Gandolfini and Carafotes walked the boardwalk flanked by the press to the nearby vacant and dilapidated Howard Johnson hotel. There, in a small area set up with chairs and a table, the two gave a press conference about their short. Prior to Gandolfini arriving for the screening, reporters were told not to ask any Sopranos-related questions. Carafotes described "Club Soda" as a supernatural fable based on his own life during which he once struggled with quitting drinking and trying to become an actor. In the movie, a kid who works in a bar steals money from the owner, causing him to re-evaluate his life, bringing him into conflict with his friends, and forcing him to make some tough choices and changes. Gandolfini's character, which is a ghost in the bar, appears to try to give the kid advice throughout the story. During the press conference, Gandolfini seemed to be distancing himself from the film, although he starred in it and helped Carafotes produce it. Noting that he knew it was Carafotes' dream to make the film, Gandolfini said he agreed to do it for his friend of 20 years prior to reading the script and while he was drunk on Sambuca at a party. "I didn't understand it then and I don't understand it now," Gandolfini said of the film, which Carafotes now wants to make into a full-length feature. Carafotes explained that to make the small-budget, independent short, he had to call in favors to friends to get the support of talents like Gosset, Mantegna and Gandolfini. When asked how much he got for his role in the film, Gandolfini said, "I was cheap." Gandolfini explained the importance of supporting independent films. "The Hollywood system is becoming a two-tier system," he said. "You have the major theaters doing 'Spider-Man 3' and everyone else trying to do independent features." He continued, "You only have films that are $20 million and under and $80 million and over. And, I don't think I look good in tights." Gandolfini called independent films "better movies" that are more character-driven. "I like to watch the other ones," he said. "But I enjoy him [Carafotes] enjoying himself." Gandolfini said he would work with Carafotes again, depending on what he writes. "Don't get me wrong, there is a good story here [in 'Club Soda'] that's evolving," he said. In the film, the bar's owner tells the aspiring actor working for him that he will have to one day make a choice between being a "movie star" and being an actor, relating that actors are usually more true to themselves. When asked if he has made that decision in his own life, Gandolfini, wide-eyed at first at the question responded, "I would say an actor, yeah. George Clooney is a movie star. I'm an actor." Gandolfini said he enjoyed returning to Asbury Park, which he used to visit when he was a kid. He also mentioned seeing a few concerts there when he was older. "It's such an odd town," he said. "I like coming here. There's something about it." Gandolfini said events like the Garden State Film Festival will help Asbury Park bring more people back into the area, which was once a hot vacation spot in New Jersey. When Carafotes' agent called the press conference to a close, Gandolfini started to get up from his seat and said, "What? No 'Sopranos' questions?" Then, after taking the time for pictures with some teenagers who were eagerly waiting to meet him, Gandolfini told members of the "Club Soda" entourage that he wanted to have some time alone before the next meeting. He walked out of the Howard Johnson, crossed the boardwalk and sat down on one of the benches overlooking the Jersey Shore. Scads of people hustled by on their way to see Warrant at the Stone Pony, the Taste of Chaos music festival at the Convention Center, or the remainder of the films playing at the theater that day. Not one of them in those few moments took notice of Gandolfini quietly gazing out over the ocean's choppy waters.