21 Mar An interview with Tugba Yazici, producer of “Echo”
BIO
I am very interested in getting to know different cultures and also as an artist I have participated in exhibitions in different parts of the world. That is why my memory is full of many analyses and comparisons of the present and past… especially since I live in America; as I have been involved in many cultures and gotten to know different cultures better, it was very interesting to introduce ancient societies to the rest of the world through Echo. My comment on this question as an artist is that life itself is a performance art. I chose to show this performance, in other words, I wanted to do it and I did it.

As the saying goes, absolute power corrupts absolutely. Power also removes the many facades that mask the true content of one’s soul’s character. The characters in Echo struggle to manage the awesome power of the medallion they possess, while also coping with the overwhelming and often frightening changes it creates in them, their friends, enemies, and lovers. The main characters in Echo are compelling and create a deep emotional connection and interest in the viewer.
Produced on a minimalist budget, Echo targets the fastest-growing segment of the international film market, appealing directly to viewers looking for adventure and fantasy, as well as the rapidly expanding Spanish market. Socially conscious viewers and history buffs will also be delighted by Echo’s immersion in the discovery of a new world and one of humanity’s darkest periods. The ever-present theme of karma resonates throughout the film, as the Echo characters grapple with the consequences of events centuries ago. As the mysterious medallion changes hands, viewers are hooked to discover the new set of consequences and opportunities that fall into the hands of its owner.
Set in America and Europe, Echo is a captivating fantasy tale and ancient echo of history. The viewer is taken on a mesmerizing journey through the darkest ages of the past and into the gleam of modern-day Rome and Miami’s glamorous South Beach. When an ancient Timicoin medallion with mysterious powers is discovered buried in the Florida sands, time itself, past and present, are mysteriously merged. Great powers come to those who possess the medallion… but a price must be paid!
Cinema is a dream and the curtain between dream and reality. Realizing this dream was difficult, as you can appreciate. It was difficult to shoot in Italy, to shoot in Miami during Art Basel, and even more difficult to shoot at Red Dot Miami at that time, and then there was St Augustine. We overcame these difficulties with our valuable sponsors ArtTmodernmiami Production, LP Production, Act Contemporary, who sponsored us for the permissions for the Art Basel shootings, and our valuable team. Our team spirit camouflaged and overcame all the difficulties.
I would say the main difficulties were; location, permissions, balancing the budget, last-minute problems, and the race against time.
Echo has a distinct visual and narrative impact. Could you tell us about the various personal influences that contributed to the overall realization of this project?
We collaborated with real Native Americans who portrayed the Timucuans, and their performances were truly impressive. Ryan Buck Thomas delivered an outstanding performance. It was fascinating to watch the reincarnations of our lead actors, Zeynep Hande Yazıcı and Michael Gabriel, embody their characters in both the present and the past.
The script was co-written by Melda Sherman from Boston and Livia Oya Proto from Rome.
Our director Livia Oya Proto conducted the filming in Italy in collaboration with LP Production. Our director Livia Proto, cameramen Marianna Bregni, and Eleonora Tezzele came from Rome to Miami for the American shooting. The performances of our actors Emre Örün and Sage Kirk were also impressive. I should also add the contribution of Cem Adalı from our Miami team.
I was not only a producer. I was also involved in every aspect of filming the movie in America.
I’m working on a new feature film for Echo.