Bottom Shelf Reviews Interview: Johnny Daggers
A few months ago I started Bottom Shelf Reviews and decided to go the extra mile and actually reach out and contact filmmakers on social media. The very first person I did was Johhny Daggers after watching and reviewing his film Blood on the Reel. Mr. Daggers doesn't just focus his talents solely on film as he is also an accomplished writer with is his book Neverlasting. I finally got a chance to interview Mr. Daggers ask about his directing style and how an independent horror directors can make it in the underground film world.
Bottom Shelf Reviews: So lets start with an obvious question, when did
you decide you wanted to be a filmmaker?
Johnny Daggers: I
honestly did not choose to be a filmmaker, it chose me. That is really the
truth of it. I had always aspired to be a professional musician. I had a record
deal in the early 2000s, which left me feeling a lot of disdain for the record
industry. It wasn’t until 2010 that film
became an artistic outlet for me. I was sick of the countless Hollywood sequels
and remakes that were, and still are coming out, so I decided to make a twenty
minute short, which was ‘Samhain: Night Feast’. I didn’t intend of doing anything with the
film, I simply wanted an excuse to get all of my friends together and make a
fun film. Something that I would like to see. A week or two after the film was
complete, I received word that the film would be screening at the Bastards Of
Horror Short Film Fest, which was held at the Horror Realm Con in Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania. I showed up for the screening with no preconceived notion of
wining. I just thought that it would be a wonderful thing to see my film on the
screen, and in a theater. To my surprise, ‘Samhain: Night Feast’ was
voted the crowd favorite, and I was asked to do a Q&A immediately after. I
remember thinking that “If we can do this, without even trying to make a great
film, what could we do if we really put our minds to it”. It was at that
defining moment that I decided start a production company.
BSR: A lot of people work day jobs to keep the lights
on at home and food on the table, so how do you balance your passion which is
filmmaking and your professional life?
JD: There was a time when I
juggled a day job while pursing my films. Those were long days. After I got
home from work, I would generally put in another eight to ten hours on my
films, and despite all of the hard work, not much seemed to get accomplished.
There were a few tough years where production became stagnant and I felt really
discouraged. Looking back on it, and now being in the position where I am a
full-time filmmaker, I honestly do not think that one can successfully juggle
both. Sure, you can get films made while working a day job, but it is not until
you are afforded the luxury of being able to work on films full-time that you
will really sow the fruits of your labor.
To better summarize that, when I was working a day job I accomplished
one short film and one feature film in
four years. Not a very impressive number. Once I became a full-time filmmaker,
I released two features, and am working on my next feature film in the span of
three years.
BSR: Making your first feature what would obstacles
did you faced as far as production goes?
JD: My first feature, ‘Caustic
Zombies’ began production in 2010, immediately after ‘Samhain: Night
Feast’. Production was fairly simple. I cannot recall one monumental
problem that occurred. It wasn’t until post-production that we encountered our
troubles. The woes of post-production are somewhat discussed in my documentary,‘Blood On The Reel: The Guts Behind Indie Horror’, but even at
that, I choose to keep a lot of that to myself. A lot of personal
conflicts arose between the crew, and I
am at the point in my career where I don’t like to throw anyone under the bus,
so to speak. Over the years we have made our peace and life goes on, but giving
your readers something, the major problem was with editing and the film not
being edited properly. Due to this, the film was never ‘officially’ released,
although in 2011, I did release an ‘official’ limited edition bootleg version of the film.
BSR: When did that dream come true for you personally
that you were finally recognized for your talents as a filmmaker?
JD: To answer that question
properly, I guess it would be all in how one constitutes being ‘recognized’.
The fact that ‘Samhain: Night Feast’ not only screened by won the
Bastards Of Horror Short Film Fest was surely a great recognition. ‘Caustic
Zombies’ was the film that really launched me in to world-wide
recognition. I was being interviewed for magazines in the U.K., Canada, and one
of my favorites here from the States, Rabid Magazine. I was being asked
to travel to radio-stations for interviews. It was a wild experience. And it
was at that time when I thought to myself, “Things are really starting to
happen”. It all seemed surreal. Especially when you have people walking up to
you on the streets saying “Hey, aren’t you that filmmaker?”. I think that all
of these really solidified to me, in my mind, that I was actually being noticed
as a filmmaker. And this all happened long before I had my distribution deal. I
don’t think that having or not having a distribution deal makes you any more or
less accomplished. Now a days, with technology, we have the ability to
self-release our films to a much larger audience than ever before, so having a
distribution deal in the ‘indie-world’ is almost insignificant.
BSR:You have made a name for yourself with the
underground film community. When and how
did it feel to be accepted by your peers and be recognized as a filmmaker?
JD: It is always good to be
accepted by your peers. A crucial piece of advice that I can give to future
filmmakers is that this industry, just like any other industry, is filled with
people, your peers who want to see you fail. Any genre of art in particular,
are filled with these people. People who are jealous of, or who feel threatened
by your accomplishments. Never, ever take that to heart. You just have to do
what you do, and make the kind of films that make you happy. Accept the accolades of your peers humbly and
modestly. And let any backlash that you face roll right off. Luckily, I have
had more accolades than not, but no one is immune to bad reviews or criticism.
I am very thankful for all of the fans and supporters who have been so kind,
generous and welcoming of my work.
BSR: How do you go about your casting process with
horror? I ask that because a lot of
actors tend to not want that on their demo reels for some reason.
JD: My casting process has
changed quite considerably over the years. Firstly, most ‘indie Filmmakers’ are
working on a very limited budget, if any at all. This really limits the type of
actor or actress who you can cast. Luckily, through the beauty of ‘movie magic’ you can make almost any actor
look great if it is filmed right. When I made ‘Samhain: Night Feast’
and ‘Caustic Zombies’, I was a complete novice with no sense of
direction or aesthetics to the films that I was making. I would cast any abled
body who wanted to be in the film. Not that I have much more experience and a
clear vision of every facet of my films, I am very particular about who I cast.
As you may have noticed, I have slowly been working my way out of the horror
genre and more towards Film-Noir, where aesthetics are very important. Now that
I am making ‘period pieces’, I have to cast actors and actresses who fit the
look of that era. That means no visible tattoos or piercings. No purple or blue
hair. I use to make cameos in my films, I can no longer due that given my
look. For me, I look for people who I
can depend on. Reliability is vital. Show up on time. Know your lines. And if
you are required to bring your own wardrobe, make sure that you have it. Actor
or actresses who cannot abide by the above conditions put everyone on set
behind, and is quite unfair to all the people who dedicated themselves to being
punctual and prepared. Once you have chosen the appropriate actor or actress,
you also have to know their capabilities and their limitations. You also have
to know your own capabilities and limitations as a director. You have to ask
yourself “what can I do as a director to
make this person shine?”. These are all things that are easier said than done.
Experience is the only way that one really learns what is best and most
suitable as to what they are looking for in an actor or actress.
BSR:What advice would you give to someone seeking a
distributor for their film? How do you
know when to pass and when to go with your gut?
JD: As briefly mentioned
above, there are many ways in which ‘indie filmmakers’ can release their films
to the world these days. Amazon being one of the best, if not the best outlet
available at this time. Everyone uses it for the majority of their shopping,
including films. ‘Blood On The Reel: The Guts Behind Indie Horror’is released through a major distributor, SGL Entertainment, and although the
film I available through most major movie outlets, the film seems to have the
best sells through Amazon. This is something that any ‘indie filmmaker’ has the
ability to do on their own. If you do seek distribution, I suggest finding one
who is fair. Fair in their cut that they take to release your film. Fair in
letting you keep you artistic creativity and freedom. And the one thing that I
cannot stress enough is that if you do procure a distribution deal, still be
prepared to market the hell out of yourself. These days most distribution
companies still put the majority of promotion on the shoulders of the
filmmaker. There is no getting a distribution deal and having everything
handled for you. You are still doing just as much work, if not more, than
before you were signed. Think it over
carefully and choose what is best for you. Every filmmaker is going to have
different things that they are looking for.
BSR: What is your next project if you can share?
JD: I have a few projects
that I would like to share. The first being, ‘Noctambulist’. The
film is a 1920s, black and white, silent Noir Thriller, which was inspired by
my love for the early German Expressionist films of the early 1900s. ‘Noctambulist’
stars Nicholas Nazrio and Lauren Peele. With Tim Scott and Nadia White in the
supporting actor roles. The film just recently had its world-premiere at the
World Con 75 Film Fest in Helsinki, Finland. I would like to give a big thanks
to Nat Sanez for selecting to show the film. I will be self-releasing ‘Noctambulist’
through my production company, DaggerVision Films.
The second film that I would
like to mention is my upcoming crime-Noir thriller, “Three Knocks And A
Ring” which is currently in pre-production, and stars Nicholas Nazario
and Lee Doll. And I am also very happy to announce that George Stover, who has
appeared in several John Waters films has been selected as one of the
supporting roles. The film is scheduled to start production in late Spring,
early Summer of 2018.
And lastly, for those who
love to read, I have recently released my first book. An illustrated horror
novel, entitled ‘Neverlasting’ which was illustrated by William C. Cope
and released through Burning Bulb Publishing. TE Magazine hailed the book as
‘Modern day Edgar Allen Poe’, to which I am very thankful for. ‘Neverlasting’is available in both paperback and ebook at Amazon and Barnes and Noble. And an
audiobook is available at Amazon and Audible.
BSR: Any advice you can give to a fresh
filmmaker? Something you wish you knew
before starting your first production?
JD: The best advise, other
than some of the tips I have already mentioned is EXPERIENCE. I cannot stress
that enough. The more you film, the more you will better know your camera, your
abilities, your crew and what it is that you are looking for. Find out what
genre best appeals to you. Find a direction that you want to go and gravitate
to that. I wish that I would have done that much earlier in my career, but I
have no regrets. Everything was a learning experience that brought me to where
I am today. I feel blessed and very thankful to be where I am at. And to be
surrounded by the wonder talented people that I am surrounded by.
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