What filmmaker as well as music producer Dan Covert built his creative career
"Nothing's going to happen on its own," Dan says. Dan. "The easiest way to start your own business is to continue making things. If you're only doing tasks for friends who make things in order to remain at work as a filmmaker."
It's an attitude that has taken Dan through a career, and has earned him numerous awards which include AFI, SXSW, and the obvious Staff Choices. " Our careers were shaped by our attitude," Dan tells Dan. "That is a bit insane however the reality is that it's real. We don't have an crowd to buy this kind of stuff. We bought cameras and started creating items."
A few days following the premiere of his full-length debut documentary " Geoff McFetridge: Making a Life," which was awarded an Audience Award at this year's SXSW and we had the opportunity to discuss the film with Dan about his process of producing and his unique north star. Take a look at an excerpt from the conversation above and also listen to the entire conversation.
Your first job was as an artist. What were the steps you went through to get from that point to stage?
Dan The company was established as an business in 1996. It was originally the graphic design company that later changed into a motion graphics firm and eventually a production company. The procedure is lengthy. Along the way we designed shorts. Many of these were staff chosen to wear .
After that, we began playing around with and figuring out the way we spoke and what it was like in a professional sense as well as in the role of directors. Then I reached 40 and thought to myself, "I'm going to make films someday." Then I realised, "Maybe I'm not going to create films until I get started." So I began searching for stories, and this film came to life.
16 years can be a long time to create products in this field. What do you do to keep it going?
Dan Dan: It's really satisfying to perform this type of work. Before recently, I was not thinking, "Oh, there's going be a huge blast-up when my job changes and I'm heading to be a part of the Oscars." It's not an issue. It's just a matter of "Am I having fun right now? Am I having fun?"
Once a work was released to the general public there is no way to predict the way people react to the project. It's like asking "Did I make the best product I could? Have I spent time people I respect and admire? Do we try to be honest and authentic?" It's always the multiple cookware cooking on the stove type of person. I run a business. I am a commercial director. I've been making this feature-length film. It's been very successful for me as I've been able to practice my art of making art. The process is about slowing down and doing the things I like, and also saying "We'll explore possible possibilities."
On the other hand, I'm fascinated by the " where they where they part because it could make you die. The time what's the point of being well-known or prosperous? There's no way to make it an issue once you're over 80.
What's your unique nordic star?
Dan Dan: We're constantly refining this, but it really comes down to the story telling. Art and craft. They are a broad term, but they hold a great deal worth. They are similar to "Can you tell a story?" Most of the time, we are enticed by an idea that we, as storytellers have been working on to make the tale more engaging.
Commercials and art are different, but it's in the sense that they're. It's all about emotions and conveying the emotion through stunning cinematography. Each of us has our own distinctive voice. But the stuff that really keeps me smiling is storytelling and character.
How do you work with your brand without jeopardizing your vision for your brand?
Dan When I started I thought it was "Oh they're hiring me to complete the duties they want me to do." But as time passed on I began to understand "No I'm really being asked to help them and I'm aware of what I'm doing." It was a huge change to determine what they needed in addition to the vision they had. It's a vital element, but the more and more I've grown in my career as an actor, I've noticed that people are coming to you in a very personal voice. It's a way to get everything and then say, "What you guys need to do will be this."
Do you know of other brands with which you're hoping to collaborate or collaborate
Dan The reason I say that is challenging because I do not have any interest in that kind of stuff. It's about "Is it an enjoyable and interesting undertaking?" Certain projects that I thought were dull I've had to accomplish are now one of my most interesting projects. I produced a film about an expert in the field of history at Syracuse The film is a Staff Pick video we did. The story is about an individual who was living in a basement and discovered the font, and Pentagram transformed into the symbol used by Syracuse University. The man is fantastic. I'd like to speak to people like him.
Anyone would like to work for Nike and any of the other fantastic companies. It's an incredible experience. but I also enjoy discovering interesting stories that are unique as well as the pleasure of performing these stories live on the stage.
I've never had the chance to be an director. It was a thrilling experience for the filmmaker in me that more than 300,000 people came in the space only few days ago to see the film we created. This feeling of "Oh, my God." What's the matter? It wasn't made into a movie. It was created for the project of the client. It was only a small edit when I spotted this crowd.
Dress Code continues for a lengthy duration. What keeps your from stepping out of the dress code?
Dan Dan: The reason is that it's the sole platform on which every creator can look at what they've created. The majority of our work is short films. Self financing is by putting the balloons up in small tests. And then, other creators, take a look. These are usually inspiring. A representative from an agency could call you to ask something along the lines of "Hey We came across this particular item. Could you handle the commercial campaign on our behalf?" It's similar to a one to one. If we're doing work this way, all the relevant people have seen it and are bringing the bar by offering us a platform.
Where do you look for an idea?
Dan The greatest motivation for my work via the art of. Actually, I don't go through tons of video clips nowadays. It's exhausting and sometimes I'm enticed to duplicate certain elements. I am always looking for ways to break out of the normal or watch feature documentaries for commercials. I also explore the use of frames and visual techniques.
What's your favorite piece of advice that you've been given?
Dan The quote from Steve Martin where he says, "Be so good that you can't allow them to avoid them." I've always been awestruck by this. This is similar to how most people seek the easiest way to make things and then they know it's finished. To me, it's simply about slowly putting the time and effort into making the basis of your project, and getting it to a point at which someone will find your work.
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