KAM: If there was one thing that could change in the DIY filmmaking community, what would you like it to be?
MWD: I’m not sure there is a “community,” or if there is, I’m not sure I’m a member. I don’t mean that in a “I’m too cool for school” way, but filmmakers seem to be, by nature, very isolated. We spend a lot of time staring at a computer screen. On this last film, I spent about 20 hours out and about shooting footage (other people shot also), and probably 7000 hours in front of a computer, and probably 1000 hours on the telephone. It’s not like being in a rock band. When I was in a rock band, I was out in the world, meeting people.
But I think that has changed too. I think a lot of rock bands spend more time these days spamming strangers on MySpace than they do playing music. And judging from some of the music they foist upon me, a lot of them should step away from the computer and go back to the rehearsal space.
But as for community, as in “helping others,” I try to do what I can. I volunteer time and materials at a local filmmaking non-profit storefront called The Echo Park Film Center (http://www.echoparkfilmcenter.org). I love those guys. They give low- and no-cost video editing classes to kids from the neighborhood, kids who’d never be able to get their hands on a mini-DV camera and a G4 otherwise.
I also do a lot of lecturing, flying out to colleges and youth centers around the US and Europe for the price of a plane ticket, a decent motel, and a small per diem. I’ve done that a lot. (I also must say, I get a sick little thrill out of the fact that I write books that are required reading in some colleges, when I got kicked out of high school and flunked out of college.)
Today I turned down an offer to be flown to England to lecture. I have never turned down an offer to travel and teach, but I just need to rest and slow down a little. Regroup. Look at my life. I’ve been burning myself out, and need to recharge. And a transatlantic flight to speak for one day doesn’t seem like the best way to do that. I’m honored to be asked, but I also feel I’m at a point where I have to make some “me time” for a while.
KAM: That is important. Are there any new film projects in the works for you?
MWD: No. Being a multidisciplinary artist (film, books, photography, music, etc.), I don’t need to go from one film to another. In fact, I prefer not to. I have only done two films, and I took three years off between finishing “DIY or DIE: How To Survive As An Independent Artist” and starting work on “Hubert Selby Jr: It/ll be Better Tomorrow.”
I didn’t finish the first one and say, “I need to think of something to do another film on.” I spent those three years writing three books, and didn’t start another film until I came across a subject that fascinated me enough to go into it full on, and see it through to the end. If I’m going to spend 80 hours a week for one or two years on something, it damn well better fascinate me.
The Selby movie was directed by myself and Kenneth Shiffrin. It’s coming out this fall in the UK, Australia and New Zealand as half of a two-disc set with “Last Exit To Brooklyn” (the movie based on the Selby novel of the same name).
I’m currently taking a little time off. Which for me, means working a relaxing 40 hours a week rather than the usual 80. I’m working on a sci-fi novel called “Deal Machine.” (The title is an anagram for Michael Dean, but the book is about an actual deal machine.) And I just finished a script for a cartoon. It’s called “The Plump Buffet.” It’s about a cult in the desert, run by cats. I wrote it with my girlfriend. I have no idea if it will ever be produced, but I had more fun writing it than anything I’ve ever worked on. And it’s pretty damn funny.
KAM: It sounds funny! Do you have any final words of wisdom?
MWD: I’m not sure I have any words of wisdom, at all. But thank you for the interview, Kari. I’m honored to have done it. And I’m very appreciative of the support you’ve given to $30 Film School in Microfilmmaker Magazine.
KAM: No problem! Thanks for doing this interview with us and best of luck with all of your future endeavors!
For our readers, you can read more about Michael W. Dean at his website: http://www.michaelwdean.com.
