How did you first break into the industry?
Well, if I’m to be honest I don’t feel like I’ve broken into the industry just yet. But I do feel like I’m chiseling into it slowly over time with each new project we come out with. But the simple answer to how I got started making movies is once I got out of film school I simply bought a camera and started writing and directing films. The more films we made the more known within the community we became.
Who/What inspires you as a director?
I have so many inspirations. Ironically, most of them aren’t even horror related. To begin with, filmmakers who got into the industry the hard way. Not handed to them. Spike Lee for example is a major inspiration to me. Same with Martin Scorsese. Both began as kids who just wanted to make films and had no money so they had to get creative and think outside the box.
My wife, Tabitha McDonald. Her love in every aspect of creating art influences me to be more open-minded. To try new things. To look at life from a different perspective. She inspires me to be a better person.
Jack White from the White Stripes inspires the hell out of me. He’s never stagnant. He never stops growing, he just continues to evolve over time. He inspires me to never stop experimenting and never stop searching for my voice.
Daniel Cormier, the Olympic Gold medalist and 3 time 2 division UFC world champion. In mixed martial arts, you need to multi-faceted. And Daniel Cormier is one of the most multifaceted fighters I’ve ever seen. He inspires me to learn and grow in multiple ways to find success. Not just one. Don’t limit yourself.
As I said, I have many inspirations.
What was your best set moment on ’September’?
We shot the whole thing in a few hours. And the entire time Jeff stayed in character. So some of my favorite moments were in between takes he would just stare at me as his character and it was supremely creepy and supremely awesome.
What sort of person is going to love this short?
I’m a fan of movies that don’t hold my hand and force me to ask questions and find my own conclusions. If you’re looking for the whole story to be handed to you on a plate, this probably isn’t for you. But if you’re looking for a film that poses more questions than answers and encourages your mind to wander, then I think you’ll dig this.
What advice would you give aspiring directors?
I wouldn’t label myself as a successful director. I’ve never made a penny off of anything I created in terms of narrative films (yet!), so I don’t know if I’m exactly qualified to give advice to aspiring directors. So I’ll give the quote given by a successful director that inspired me and pushed me to become a filmmaker.
Quentin Tarantino:
“If you want to be a filmmaker, then go buy a fucking camera and make movies."
Also, keep your ego in check. You’re not the best.
Where can we find more of your work?
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