Where does your desire to express yourself through art come from?
My father taught me how to print photos before I could even write, and how to be a working child actor even earlier than that. My love for music came through competitive piano lessons, while my passion for storytelling grew from bedtime stories at home and later at boarding school. Senior kids would tell wild tales to comfort the younger ones battling homesickness and fear—an incredibly potent medicine against very real inner demons.
So, for me, stories have always had a concrete, practical, and healing purpose. Storytelling—whether through acting or images—holds a very special place in my heart and soul.
What are your goals as an artist?
“Artist”? Who’s an artist? (laughs) I simply see myself as continuing in the footsteps of those great storytellers who came before us—from the cave paintings of prehistory, to the flickering magic of cinema today.
I think of a filmmaker as part craftsperson, part creative. The word “artist” brings to mind names like Michelangelo or Rodin. A painter, a poet, a sculptor—these are typically solitary creators. But filmmaking requires at least a team, if not an army. In that sense, it’s almost the opposite of fine art.
Personally, I believe filmmakers should master the craft first, and then explore the art—if at all. As a writer, yes, I’d consider myself an artist. But as a filmmaker? I’m more of a craftsperson dedicated to building stories for the screen.
That said, with the rise of today’s “baby screens,” user-generated content, and the democratization of media, we may be seeing a shift back toward solitary creators. As technology disrupts the industry and makes filmmaking more accessible, perhaps the medium will evolve—(or devolve?)—into something more like fine art.
Which raises the question: where does AI fit in? Is it the future artist? Or simply a tool for ideas, subject to human curation? If AI draws from collective knowledge, does that mean the fine art of the future belongs to everyone—and to no one? What happens to the very concept of copyright?
What is your opinion on the cultural industry?
Do you mean government-supported culture? In the U.S. today, industry is largely profit-driven, with little room for the true dissemination of cultural values. Unlike many countries, there’s not much in the way of nationally supported culture here. Even private art foundations must prioritize solvency over artistic exchange.
Historically, culture has belonged to those who could afford it—supported by governments, politicians, or wealthy patrons. Independent filmmakers rarely fall under the “industry” label. Mass media producers do.
And so, culture today is being shaped by fast, cheap, and accessible media—just as mass-produced T-shirts have overtaken high fashion. But which is more culturally valid? Is a pop song that sells millions inherently more valuable than a classical piece with a smaller audience? That’s the dilemma.
Do independent artists today have enough opportunities to share their creativity?
Independent artists have always had to create their own opportunities. Success has always depended on their ability to reach and move audiences in a unique way.
Those who wait for opportunities to be handed to them are far less likely to share their voices than those who make their own luck. Within the film industry, most professionals are advancing someone else’s creativity, depending more on negotiation skills than on their own artistry. True independence requires building your own path.
What new project are you currently working on?
After the passing of our co-founder and dear friend Jo Anna “Ziggy” Heckman, my Ep!c Film Foundry partner—veteran actor and producer Paul Gunn—and I were recently joined by the talented young actress and producer Faith Barrett.
At the top of our slate is NeverWere: A Lycan Love Story, an original and deeply moving tale that has already received a record 168 laurels for the book, concept, and screenplay alone.
Also in the pipeline are:
- Last Ride — a streetcar racing story
- Deadeye — a film about girls and guns (but not what you’d expect)
- LoveBeats — a supernatural love story
- StarSword Samurai — a fantastical action adventure
On the business front, I’m thrilled to announce a new partnership with Hollywood icon Gloria Tait and her company Athena Talent International. Together with her teammate Allen Balfour Geiner, we’re building the foundation of what promises to be a powerful force in the next “New Hollywood.”
And in true cliffhanger fashion, Athena and Ep!c are also collaborating with a legendary Hollywood figure to bring his untold story to life—a memoir of being young, hungry, and almost-famous during the Golden Era of the 1950s. Who is this mysterious “unknown icon”? You’ll just have to stay tuned.
