Rich Ronat and Laura Vale’s Journey behind CULPRIT and the Art of Independent Filmmaking

Rich Ronat and Laura Vale are a filmmaking duo whose passion for storytelling is matched by their commitment to the art of independent cinema. With their new psychological thriller Culprit - set for wide streaming release on February 28th across platforms like Apple, Prime Video, Google Play, YouTube and more - the pair brings to life a gripping murder mystery inspired by true cases from the “Innocence Project”.  Rich wrote and directed the film alongside Jamie Donovan, which also stars Laura as the victim’s sister, embarking on a relentless journey to uncover the truth behind her sibling’s murder. With a strong supporting cast that includes Jamie Donovan, Ron Orbach, and Carolyn Mignini, Culprit stands as a testament to Rich and Laura’s dedication to crafting compelling narratives in a world dominated by spectacle-driven cinema. Miami Living Magazine sat down with them to discuss the inspiration behind the film, their approach to indie filmmaking, and how they strive to tell stories that matter in today’s evolving media landscape.

Miami Living (ML): Culprit is based on real stories from the “Innocence Project”, a project dedicated to exonerate wrongfully convicted individuals. Can you speak to what specifically drew you to this subject matter, and how you balanced the true-life emotional weight with the demands of a psychological thriller?

Rich: For many years I’ve always been intrigued by the story of an ex-convict that gets released after many years and how they would or would not adapt to modern society. The mental perspective of a person that’s lived in such a dark place for so long has always fascinated me. The balance of the true life ideas mixed with the thriller aspect always made me work hard to maintain a balance in the story of having a compelling character, and at the same time, keeping the plot moving.

ML: Laura, your character in Culprit is a sister seeking justice for her murdered sibling, working alongside a man who has been exonerated after being wrongfully convicted. What was it about this character that drew you in, and how did you prepare to portray such an emotionally complex role?

Laura: I love portraying psychologically complex characters that have dark sides to them. I prepared for this role by listening to real life people speak about the murders of their family members or friends. I became fairly obsessed with true crime. I would listen to true crime podcasts during my commute, and on my morning runs. I also spoke to my friend who counsels families who have been affected by trauma to get more clarity on what might drive the character. Rich eventually got worried that I was listening to too much disturbing content, and suggested I take it easy on it...

ML: Culprit is based on real stories from the Innocence Project. Was there a particular real-life case that inspired the film’s direction?

Rich: It ended up being a mix of several true stories of men that were released after 30 years of incarceration. I found that amount of time is so long and made me feel that much more empathy for the individual.

ML: Rich, you’ve had the opportunity to work with some big Hollywood names in your career, like Nicolas Cage and Alec Baldwin. How did the experience of making Culprit compare, especially given its indie roots and the more personal nature of the project?

Rich: Honestly, there was no comparison at all. Mainly because I got the opportunity to direct what I had written. I was just the writer on those other films with celebrities and I had no say in what happened creatively. Getting to fully realize the script I had written and bring it into reality was a truly fulfilling, wonderful experience. And being able to hire actors that are truly right for each role and deeply care about what they’re making is awesome to be around.

ML: Laura, your career spans over multiple decades, and you’ve worked on iconic shows like Charmed and Desperate Housewives. How does the independent film world differ for you in terms of the creative process and your role as an actress?

Laura: In independent films that I have a part in producing, and Rich writes, I have the opportunity to play roles I would never get to play in the broader marketplace. Rich writes emotionally complex characters, and we get to take more chances than mainstream fare, that must appeal to a larger audience. It’s also extremely difficult or near impossible to get a lead role in a big film if you aren’t a name actress. The studios depend on actresses to have marketability in the domestic and foreign markets to make their money back for their larger budgets.

ML: Both of you are producers on this project and take pride in championing indie films. Can you share how you approach producing differently from mainstream Hollywood films, especially in terms of casting and maintaining artistic integrity?

Rich & Laura: We approach it in a very ethical, creative way. And that doesn’t mean we take the business aspect for granted. We strive for the perfect balance in creating films that we deeply care about and are entertaining for an audience. If we can truly entertain people, the money will come. So it really is all about the balance of artistry and commerce and being aware of both at all times.

ML: Culprit made a huge impact when it debuted at Dances with Films in Los Angeles, selling out within 24 hours. What was the reception like for you both, and how did that success shape the way you view the future of indie filmmaking?

Rich: That reception was fantastic and taught us that the most important aspect of filmmaking is telling a compelling story, crafting nuanced performances and understanding how to hook an audience. Everything else is just inconsequential politics and just gets in the way of what’s important. Any indie filmmaker is living a noble cause and has my full respect.

Laura: It gave us more impetus to keep making more films. Seeing people have a thrill ride with our lower budget film reminded us that we can make high quality, enjoyable entertainment regardless of budget.

ML: You are engaged to each other and working together both creatively and professionally, how do you balance your personal relationship with the demands of filmmaking? What’s the secret to maintaining that balance while navigating such a collaborative, high-stakes process?

Rich: I think it helps immensely that we were friends for over 20 years before we got engaged. We have a mutual respect and understanding of each other and always treat the other person with a generosity of spirit and kindness that always comes first. While doing that, balancing a work/love balance is easy.

Laura: I second what Rich said. I also have noticed that it helps me to be clear about whether I’m speaking to Rich as my director, or if I’m wanting to connect with him as my fiancé. Sometimes I just want to express something about the process of making the film, and I just want an empathetic ear.

Photo Credits

Photographer: Ben Cope

Makeup: Kate Hollinshead

By ML Staff. Images courtesy of Ben Cope