How the film maker and creator Dan Covert built his creative career

"Nothing's going to take place in isolation," Dan says. Dan. "The most efficient method to build your brand is to produce something. Even if it's just various offerings to friends then you need to produce some kind of product to stay active acting."

This philosophy has brought Dan to a remarkable career that has seen him receive awards from AFI, SXSW, and clear the Staff Picks. " How we built our careers was heavily influenced by the work we did," says Dan. "That might appear to be a bit of absurdity however it's actually true. There was no audience to the activities. We purchased cameras and started learning how to construct items."

Following the announcement of Dan's feature length film " Geoff McFetridge: Drawing a life," which took home the Audience Award at this year's SXSW We were able to talk with Dan about the process he uses. Dan talked about his process in creating his work and also about his favorite creativity north film. Look over the highlights of the chat above, and read through the full discussion.

   Your first job as a graphic designer was your first job. How did you go from that point until the concept of making a feature film?

Dan Dan: We started the company in 1996. It was a graphic design company which later evolved into a motion graphic company, and later an enterprise for production. It's an extensive process. In the past, we've made shorts. Many of them were created by the staff. The designs were chosen to be worn .

We just started experimenting and working out our strategy for business and as directors at the time I was 40. I had thought for a long time, "I'm going to make films someday." It was then that I thought to myself, "Maybe I'm not going to create films until I'm ready to start." When I began searching for stories, this movie kind of was born.

   16 years can be an extended period to make things happen in the field. How do you keep yourself working?

Dan The truth is that it's genuinely satisfying to work in this field. Up until recently I wasn't thinking, "Oh, there's going to be an enormous explosion when my profession changes and I'm in the Oscars." It's not my thought stuff. However, the issue is "Am I having fun in the moment? Am I enjoying the moment?"

If you announce a new strategy to the world and is not able to determine how others will react to it. It's like asking "Did you make the best choice I could? Do I spend the time with people I admire and respect? Are we trying to be honest and authentic?" I'm a multiple irons in the fire kind of person. I run a business. I am a commercial director. I've had the privilege of being involved in this feature film. I'm very successful in my artistic practice. However, what's important is to spend time working on objects that I enjoy in addition to declaring, "We'll see where they will take us."

In reality, I'm less anxious about the ' which place they're in' aspect because it could just eat you alive. The point is nobody cares about how well-known or successful you are? This isn't the stuff you're going to recall when you reach 80.

What's your own unique North Star?

Dan Dan: We're continually improving our understanding of this, however it's actually storytelling. It's art and craft. The word "craft" is somewhat vague, yet they're significant. The idea is "Can you create a narrative?" Sometimes, we're attracted by an idea that's not fully developed, that we, as storytellers, have an ability to tell a story.

Commercials are a concept that's similar to art is that they're essentially opposite elements but not at top the levels. They are focused on emotion and expressing that feeling through amazing cinematography. Each person has their own voice. The thing that makes me smile is the story and character.

   What are you able to accomplish to develop a brand identity that isn't compromising the vision you have to create your own brand?  

Dan The first time I started, I always thought it was like "Oh this is because they're bringing in me to perform the tasks they require." But then I realized "No I'm hired to assist them, and I'm sure of exactly the situation." This marked a significant shift in the way I think about what the company's needs are and the vision they had. It's not a big issue however with each step I've risen as a leader I've come to realize that the organization has you in mind as a personal voice to really look over all the information and inform you that "What you need to do is these."

Are there any companies that you're still hoping to partner with?

Dan Dan The problem is that I have difficulty with it because I'm not paying much attention to this kind of matter. This is like asking, "Is it a fun and exciting undertaking?" A few of the tasks that have been the most dull I've ever received made into some of the most rewarding work. I produced a film that focused on a type historian at Syracuse as well as one of the types historian's Staff Pick video we did. The story was about a man stuck in a basement who was successful in finding the typeface. After that, Pentagram made it the official logo of Syracuse University. He is awe-inspiring. I'd like to see someone like him.

Everybody wants to be part of Nike as well as other great corporations. Sure, it's enjoyable but I also like discovering the stories that are truly unique and presenting them on the form of a stage.

I have never been trained to act. It was an incredible positive experience to me as an artist for me to see over 300,000 viewers in just a couple of days to watch the documentary we had created. It's as if "Oh My God." What's the difference? This film never was intended for production. It was originally the client's project, and the slight editing was created, and I later observed the audience.

   Dress Code has been in existence for quite a long period of. What makes you stay in the dress code?

Dan Dan: It's set to become the hub that everyone who is creating content can visit to view what we've created. A lot of things are happening in the field of short films, and we're self-funding. The idea is to create these small trials balloons. Then other designers get to see the balloons. This is always a shock. A representative from an agency is likely to call you and say "Hey, we saw the commercial. Would you be able to create this advertisement for us?" This is like a one-to-one. When we're working on something as in this, appropriate people are seeing it and elevating it, providing us with a platform.

HTML0Where are you able to get a source of concepts?

Dan The source of best concepts for my work from art. In reality I do not go to the movies anymore. I find that it's kind exhausting, and I'd love to emulate things. I take a look at the odd and unique, as well as check out commercial feature documentaries or look into in the fine arts, for framing or other methods that are based on visuals.

What's the most useful advice you've had?

Dan Dan I like the line from Steve Martin where he says, "Be so good that you're unable to get anyone to forget about your." I've always been awestruck by that. The same is true for most people's desire to be able to create an item then have it's done. To me, it's all about slowly putting the time into building the base of your project. Then, you'll be so satisfied that people will be able to find your work.

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