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An Interview with Danny Draven, Director of Reel Evil

by Mike Haberfelner

February 2013

Films directed by Danny Draven on (re)Search my Trash

 

Quick Links

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Your new movie Reel Evil - in a few words, what is it about?

 

It's about a behind the scenes camera crew that finds the place they're shooting at is far more interesting than what they were hired to shoot.

 

Why did you choose the found footage approach for Reel Evil, and what do you think sets your movie apart from other found footage-shockers?

 

Full Moon Features wanted to make a found-footage film, and asked me to direct it. I've always wanted to try this style of filmmaking, which I found can be challenging and limiting in what you can do.

 

As someone who has made quite a few "making of"-featurettes himself - how much of your own experience can we find in Reel Evil?

 

A lot. I've shot and edited plenty of behind the scenes footage when I was first starting out. It was a great way to be on set, and actually be useful and get near the filmmakers and learn.

 

What can you tell us about your screenwriter Shane Bitterling, and your cooperation with him?

 

Working with Shane was a great experience. We hit it off right away and he really understood what we were trying to accomplish with this script.

 

In a few words, how would you describe your directorial approach to the story at hand?

 

Keep it REAL.

 

What can you tell us about the actual shoot and the on-set atmosphere?

 

Creepy. We shot at the very haunted Linda Vista Hospital in East LA. Several people, including myself, had otherworldly encounters. But the set was always a fun place to be. Crew and actors are more like friends to me on set than just people who are there to do a job for little pay. I hear the place is being converted to senior apartments now, which seems insane to me!

 

Reel Evil was produced by Charles Band's Full Moon - a company you're not exactly a stranger to ... so what can you tell us about working with the company, both on this particular project and in general?

 

I've been friends with Charles for over 10 years. He never ceases to amaze and inspire me with all his crazy films. I've edited so many of the films they've done over the past 10 years, and my company still handles the majority of the post-production work. It's really like a movie factory, one I've been lucky enough to be a big part of for the last decade.

 


Let's go back to the beginnings of your career: What got you into filmmaking in the first place, and did you receive any formal education on the subject?

 

Yes, I went to Emerson College and graduated with a degree in film. I also spent a few years at Berklee College of Music in Boston in the film scoring program.

 

What can you tell us about some of your past films?

 

One of the best experiences I had was making Deathbed with horror legend Stuart Gordon. I learned so much from him as a director. I'll never forget chilling at his house with D.P. Mac Ahlberg, watching horror films and analyzing them, particularly Rosemary's Baby and The Innocents. Two films I love dearly.

 

Any future projects you'd like to share?

 

I'm working on a new film called Hair Metal Massacre, which I hope to have out this year from my own company. And there is another film in the works as well.

Facebook page:

http://www.facebook.com/HairMetalMassacre

 

Your films are almost invariably of the horror variety - a favourite genre of yours, and why?

 

I grew up on horror, sure it's one of my favorite genres. But, I'm really more of a romantic comedy guy most of the time.

 

When it comes to filmmaking, you have pretty much done it all, directing, writing, producing, editing, cinematography, and whatnot. What do you enjoy the most, which could you do without?

 

As an indie, you're forced to do it all most of the time. I liked that at first. Now I like to delegate a little more. I like directing and working with actors the most.

 

Besides making movies, you have also written three books on horror filmmaking, right? So what can you tell us about these, and any one-phrase advice you can give an aspiring young filmmaker?

 


Yes! If you want to be a indie filmmaker, I highly recommend my book The Filmmakers Book of the Dead. It took me a year to write it, and I really wrote it for aspiring filmmakers. I cover everything you need to know and more. My only advice is don't wait for others to create opportunities for you, create your own. GO MAKE YOUR FILM!

Filmmakers Book of the Dead:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0240812069/researmytras-20 

Trailer:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ju42oDSrz3E

 

How would you describe yourself as a director?

 

I'm an actor's director. I really love actors, so I try and fuse my technical knowledge with my appreciation of actors and what they go through on set.

 

Feeling lucky?
Want to
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Find Danny Draven
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USA  amazon.com

Great Britain (a.k.a. the United Kingdom)  amazon.co.uk

Germany (East AND West)  amazon.de

Looking for imports?
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Thailand  eThaiCD.com
Your shop for all things Thai

Filmmakers who inspire you?

 

Roman Polanski

Kubrick

 

Your favourite movies?

 

The Goonies

The Breakfast Club

 

Your/your movie's website, Facebook, whatever else?

 

Come stay in touch and friend me on Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/danny.draven.9

 

Anything else you are dying to mention and I have merely forgotten to ask?

 


I have a new book coming out in May 2013, called Genre Filmmaking, which you should check out:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/
0240824210/researmytras-20
 

 

Thanks for the interview!

 

No problem!

 

© by Mike Haberfelner


Legal note: (re)Search my Trash cannot
and shall not be held responsible for
content of sites from a third party.




Thanks for watching !!!



 

 

In times of uncertainty of a possible zombie outbreak, a woman has to decide between two men - only one of them's one of the undead.

 

There's No Such Thing as Zombies
starring
Luana Ribeira, Rudy Barrow and Rami Hilmi
special appearances by
Debra Lamb and Lynn Lowry

 

directed by
Eddie Bammeke

written by
Michael Haberfelner

produced by
Michael Haberfelner, Luana Ribeira and Eddie Bammeke

 

now streaming at

Amazon

Amazon UK

Vimeo

 

 

 

Robots and rats,
demons and potholes,
cuddly toys and
shopping mall Santas,
love and death and everything in between,
Tales to Chill
Your Bones to

is all of that.

 

Tales to Chill
Your Bones to
-
a collection of short stories and mini-plays
ranging from the horrific to the darkly humourous,
from the post-apocalyptic
to the weirdly romantic,
tales that will give you a chill and maybe a chuckle, all thought up by
the twisted mind of
screenwriter and film reviewer
Michael Haberfelner.

 

Tales to Chill
Your Bones to

the new anthology by
Michael Haberfelner

 

Out now from
Amazon!!!