INTERVIEW WITH THE MASTER
Danny Draven
Director of Fullmoon's Latest Film "HORRORVISION".
1.When did you first decide you wanted to make movies?
When I was real little probably. Seeing films like "The Goonies", "Indiana Jones" "Willie Wonka" inspired me. But the horror genre has always been my first choice. I think the big one for me is when I was 7 and saw "Return of the Living Dead" in the theatre, I LOVE that movie.
2. At what age did you get your first big "break" and what was it?
Well, in directing it was just last year at 22 with HORRORVISION (http://www.horrorvision.com). But I did many shorts before that.
3. Who was your biggest influence?
Guys like James Cameron, Corman, Spielberg, Fulci, and so on. My biggest influence in filmmaking comes from the German Expressionist films of the 20s. Fritz Lang and F.W. Murnau are huge influences.
4. Did you have to go to any school for the skill of Directing?
I started in the music biz. I played classical guitar professionally at a very young age. When college came around, I ended up at Berklee College of Music in Boston for Film scoring. It was there I really found my calling as a director and decided to pursue it. So I dropped out of Berklee and enrolled at Emerson College up the street where I finished film school with a B.A.. Degree or no degree, HORRORVISION was the best 12 day film school.
5. A lot of teachers growing up say. "Math is so very important" Do you find
this to be true in your profession?
Fuck Math. Fuck the SATS. It's not about cramming your brain with useless answers to a mindless question. It's about your thirst for knowlege and understanding. HEHE, no, all knowledge is important. As a director, I believe you have to have all the answers, so you better hit those books and be able to wear all hats on a production.
6. What is your all time favorite film?
Nosferatu (1922) or Metropolis.
7. what inspired "Horror Vision"?
A hooker I saw online. I dunno, ask J.R. or Scott Phillips. ;-}
8. How was it getting a chance to work with Jr Bookwalter?
Pretty cool. He's the only other director I know who I can talk tech with in glorious detail. We're like a couple of geeks at the library. I don't just mean directing, I mean the net, computer science, macs, etc. He's been a big influence on me and I've learned a lot from him.
9. Can you give us some insight on what we can expect from you in the near
future?
I've always believed that a great director is one who can wear many hats. So you may see my name (or one of many aliases) pop up as Director of Photography, CGI, editor, producer, or whatever the job calls for. Directing wise, I'd like to do another "cybernoir" flick.
10. How does it feel to be a director and what can you say to aspiring young
Directors?
I love it. As for advice, well, stay off of drugs and stay clean and focused. A film degree doesn't mean SHIT. Get out and make a movie and major in business. Learn...learn and learn more. Knowledge is power. I believe in a new age of filmmakers. One who's mind is sharp, soul is refined, and a master of his/her craft. The cyber elite...
Check out Draven at Horrorvision.com.
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