-Who is Derek Martin?

Well Derek Martin, professionally Derek Lakeith Martin, is a passionate individual who loves all-things Cinema. From an early age I have always been drawn to movies and TV shows, especially the ones that require you to use your imagination a little bit. My journey into filmmaking was a long one. I started as an actor, then later joined SAG/AFTRA, which I’ve been a part of for 20 years. Being a part of that organization allowed me to get up-close and personal on Film and TV sets where I could see all of the departments in action. There, I was able to learn what it takes to put a film in motion. My love for directing, cinematography and editing were the driving forces behind this. I am a self-driven person that believes if you can conceive something in your mind, then you should at least put forth an effort to make it happen. 

I’m also a big history fan. What people did differently from how we do them now always fascinates me. I like learning about anything that took place in different eras. To be honest, I like learning about anything new. I believe you should try to educate yourself on anything outside of your on comfort zone that will allow you to be a well-rounded person.

-Do you remember the exact moment you fell in love with cinema?

    The exact moment I fell in love with cinema had to happen when I first experienced cinema on a large scale. I was young when the television premiere of Richard Donner’s Superman: The Movie came on TV one night. Although I had been to movie theatres before, and this was TV, there was still something different about this. The commercials hyped it up all week as a must-see experience…and they weren’t wrong!  I can remember sitting there eating popcorn while the opening credits swooshed in, accompanied by that iconic score from John Williams. To see one of your favorite cartoon characters come to life in a movie at that age was magic to me, and I knew that I wanted to be a part of that somehow when I grew up. To this day, I will always go and watch it when there is a special screening at the theatre.

-Tell us about your project “Maxwell”.

        Maxwell follows the story of Ann, a horse ranch owner and her enduring relationship with an aspiring artist, Maxwell. As they navigate the journey of their relationship, they have to decide what is best for them individually. I was looking to make a story-driven film, something where you could relate to the characters and the situation that they were in. I reached out and acquired a script from a longtime writer friend, Jake Taylor, who just happened to be sitting on this story.  After reading it, I simply said “Hey, I want to make this!” One of the things that attracted me to the story was its possibility to expand and be more than just a standalone short film. 

       I got started on casting the roles by picturing who I thought would be a great fit for each character, and how they could bring them to life. This process went fairly smooth until it came time to cast the role of Rain. I needed to find an actress of a certain age and was the perfect fit for what I was looking for. After not finding someone that fits the description, I was starting to think I was going to have to go in a totally different direction. One day I received a phone call from a theatre coach saying they may have found who I was looking for…they were correct! So, I cast this remarkable young actress and started filming. I always mention to people that Lila Patrick was the one that “completed” my film.

   When you’re in the realm of independent filmmaking, you have to be able to explore creative ways to execute your vision of the final product. This only happens with a talented cast and crew that you trust. I wanted to create an environment where they could be comfortable speaking freely and having their ideas heard. There were a lot of moving parts while producing and directing Maxwell, and having a strong group around you makes the filmmaking part of it easier. So far Maxwell has been making waves through the film festival circuit. I am very proud of some the accolades that it has received so far, especially Best Indie film and Best Indie Filmmaker.

-Which Director inspires you the most?

      To be truthful, I don’t have one particular director that serves as a source of inspiration. As someone who enjoys different types of movies, I am influenced by different types of directors. I grew up watching films from big budget directors like Steven Spielberg and later Michael Bay, but I also like the recognizable styling of directors like Tim Burton. Then you have directors like Ryan Coogler whose films I enjoy with his brand of storytelling, and the loyalty he always shows by using familiar cast, crew, and composers. I admire that type of loyalty. This is a practice that I’m fond of and use in my own world of filmmaking, as I am a very loyal director myself. I am always studying different styles from individual directors, therefore I’m inspired by a lot of different directors.

-What do you dislike about the world and what would you change?

    The world is filled with many different types of people and everyone has their own path that they follow. Being an individual is okay, but I dislike when someone can’t become knowledgeable outside of their own world. I believe that “knowing is growing” and how I would change this is to encourage people to learn something new outside of their comfort zone.

-How do you imagine cinema in 100 years?

I hope that cinema is still going strong and still has a strong base in storytelling in 100 years. As someone that understands how technology is important in film, I hope it doesn’t overtake some of the practicality that makes cinema special. People, meaning cast and crew, are what makes cinema what it is. I do believe that technology will have a prominent presence, but I just hope it doesn’t take over fully.

-What is your impression of WILD FILMMAKER?

Wild Filmmaker is doing a great job of giving a voice to independent filmmakers such as myself. Not everyone gets the opportunity to be heard or share what inspired them, but having a platform like this certainly helps change that. I really hope that Wild Filmmaker can continue to expand its reach across the globe.