This week I had the pleasure of interviewing Director Danny Draven, who has directed the films 'Deathbed' and 'Hell Asylum' and has worked on many low budget favourites such as 'Final Stab' and the 'Brotherhood' & 'Witchouse' series. Danny's next film 'Darkwalker' is scheduled for release on Video & DVD in the UK on Monday the 15th, of December, just in time for Christmas.
Why did you decide to get into the entertainment industry?
I love films. In fact I live, breath and eat them. I can't imagine doing anything else.
You have worked on a lot of recent low budget horror films, if you had to pick one, which would be your favourite and why?
I own a company called, DARKWORLD PICTURES, we are both a production services company and a post-production facility. When I'm not working on my own films I will occasionally take on outside post work. Most recently, I edited RING OF DARKNESS, a low budget horror film for my good friend David DeCoteau, and I'm about to edit another one of his films over the holidays.
Your latest film 'Darkwalker' is released here in the UK this coming Monday (December 15th) can you tell us what to expect?
Believe it or not, DARKWALKER is the lowest budgeted film I've ever made, and shot completely out of town in Fresno, CA. It was done for 15 thousand dollars and shot very quickly. It was more of a dare than anything else. I teamed up with producer friend Chuck Williams, and we dared each other to make a film for so cheap. It came out quite well under the crazy circumstances. What you can expect: blood!
Also, Darkwalker is the first film I've done that also has a soundtrack CD available.
Would you say it is similar to your previous films?
I don't think any of my films are similar really. This film has a very simple concept: kids raise demon, they all die. What's unique about the film is that it was shot at a real Halloween attraction in Fresno called HOBB'S GROVE (www.hobbsgrove.com). We got permission to shoot there during Halloween, and simply wrote a script around the already existing sets and attractions.
Danny poses with the gruesome 'Darkwalker'.
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Can you tell us a little about the production?
It's all on the DVD special features!
What were the cast like to work with?
Great. Most actors were new and have never done a film before at all. But, after jumping into the world of low budget filmmaking they quickly got the hang of things. The only person in the cast that I've used before was RICK IRVIN, who you may remember from CRYPTZ and DEATHBED.
Any funny stories from the set you could share with us?
Hmmm... there are some great bloopers on the DVD.
You had at least 3 main jobs on the film (Directing, Sound & Editing) how did you cope?
Actually I had way more jobs than that, but that's all part of making your own film. I didn't need to cope, this is my 5th feature film, and I love making them. It's a lot of work and hours, but the passion for making films is really what it takes to get it done.
You seem to take on dual roles frequently and turn your hand to just about anything, why is this?
I'm a control freak perhaps. ;-} hehe No, most of the time it's a budget reason, sometimes, I just can't delegate, other times I just want it done a very specific way. It's very important as an independent to be a jack-of-all-trades, I'm a knowledge junkie, and can't seem to control myself when it comes to doing multiple roles on a film.
Most recently you have been editing David DeCoteau's 'Ring of Darkness' which has already had some press coverage here in the UK, what state is the project in and can you tell us anything about it?
The film is done. It will be out sometime next year I'd say. It's about a killer boy band (NSYNC style). It you're a BROTHERHOOD fan, you'll like Dave's new flick.
Finally can you tell us what lies ahead for Danny Draven in 2004 and beyond?
I'm directing a film in January. I can't give away too much, but I will say it has name stars and is the biggest budgeted film I've ever done. I'm looking forward to next year. You can always keep up to date by checking out my website at www.DannyDraven.com
"Thank you ever so much for taking part in this interview Danny,
and we wish you the best of luck in the future."
Visit Danny's website here: www.DannyDraven.com
