I am Dan Blackwell, the Producer of the feature film “Or Something”. Jeffrey Scotti Schroeder is the Director, Kareem Rahma, and Mary Neely double as writers and stars on “Or Something”. Sophia Heriveaux is my co-Producer, while Jeff Leeds Cohn is our Director of Photography.
Or Something next festival screening dates
– Friday, October 18 – Bushwick Film Festival – Brooklyn Premiere
– Friday, November 1 SCAD Savannah Film Festival – Southeast Premiere
What is your experience working on the story, the screenplay, the production, premiere and/or the marketing?
Dan Blackwell (DB): Story wise Kareem and Mary had it pretty flushed out and set. We came in to really bring this thing to life. After we got going asap on the production side of things. We started finding locations, crewing up and asking as many favors as possible. We are lucky to be having our World Premiere at the inaugural Downtown Festival where we will be screening at the Roxy right in our backyards in downtown NYC.
How did you put the crew and cast together? Did you start writing with a known cast?
Dan Blackwell (DB): Crew wise me and Jeffrey went out to our most trusted people we’ve worked with on mostly commercial gigs. My theory is to surround yourself with people you trust and let them take ownership of their roles and execute. Once you have that trust you can really rely on the department heads to take ownership of these roles. Everyone we got on is a personal friend, so we already had a great crew in mind and with a little luck most of our top picks were available and willing to come onto the project.
When did you form your production company – and what was the original motivation for its formation?
Dan Blackwell (DB): Deep Cut Films was Jeffreys brainchild, He threw me down probably about 5 years ago. Ever since then we’ve been working together as producing partners. Recently we’ve really been trying to grow the narrative branch of the company while still servicing bigger commercial projects that pay the bills. Narrative filmmaking is really our passion and where we hope to land.
What was the first project out of the gate?
Dan Blackwell (DB): My first big boy job when I was in charge was a Nike shoot. I’ll never forget that day. I got there super early just to make sure everything went smooth. When the first Box truck was pulling up it side swiped a parked car and took part of the front bumper with it. To say I was thrown into a sink or swim situation would be putting it nicely. I feel like I’ve been putting out fires ever since. Lol.
During the film production, what scene (that made the cut) was the hardest to shoot? And why?
Dan Blackwell (DB): I think the day we filmed in central park was the most stressful from a logistical standpoint. Just figuring out the channels to go through for permits, holding, how to get people feed etc. It was freezing and raining in November in New York. I remember packing up that night with everyone wearing trash bags as make shift raincoats.
What worked better in this latest production that mightn’t have worked so well in the last one you did?
Dan Blackwell (DB): Clear communication from everyone involved. Just so things don’t slip through the cracks and everyone is on the same page. Clear communication is key to keeping everyone happy and involved. Also I would probably drink less caffeine on shoot days.
You must have donned several hats on this film, the measure of your input required intellect, effort, tenacity, skill (…you know better). What did it take you to put out all these qualities to get the film done?
Dan Blackwell (DB): Oh man. This one felt insane. It just comes with independent filmmaking. You have to know it’s not glamorous and you have to truly do it for the love of film. Wearing multiple hats just comes with the territory so you won’t hear me bitch or complain about that.
What about independent filmmaking and the business do you still struggle with?
Dan Blackwell (DB): I think it’s the same for a lot of filmmakers. It all comes down to money and talent which kinda go hand in hand. You really have to catch lightning in a bottle. People want to see stars on screen and investors want big names attached. Without either it’s almost impossible to get your film seen by people.
Where do you think your strengths lie as a producer?
Dan Blackwell (DB): I love being in the trenches and on set with the crew. There always used to be this weird divide between producers and crew but luckily that doesn’t happen when you are using friends for crew. I think Jeffrey taught me to be more of a yes man. Basically, say yes and then figure it out as you go. I like that idea and try to implement that when I can.
How important is marketing? Do you think a project can make a dent without it nowadays?
Dan Blackwell (DB): I think it can go both ways. Social media is the devil, and I hate it but having a project blasted through the right channels from talent and on their socials can get people excited about your project.
Tell us about marketing activities or efforts on this project – and how it worked or didn’t work?
Dan Blackwell (DB): I think this got to where it is because of our talents reach. Kareem is just the nicest guy ever and between him and Mary we’ve been able to kind of self-promote this thing without really having a marketing budget.
What do you hope audiences will get from the presentation of your film?
Dan Blackwell (DB): I really just hope it inspires more people to make more films with their friends. If you are doing it for clout and fame it just doesn’t happen like that. You truly must have tons of confidence and really trust the people you surround yourself with if you want to make a run in this business.
What else have you got in the works?
Dan Blackwell (DB): Jeffrey and myself are co producing and directing a new feature we hope to start filming at the beginning of summer in 2025. I was introduced to an amazing writer Emily Jane Adams through a mutual friend so she signed on to write the screenplay. We’ve just recently started diving in so really excited about that. Without giving too much away it’s a thriller set in 1998 that takes place in New York City and Upstate NY. We get to play with genre and want to keep things practical. We’re trying to capture that feeling of watching a thriller when you were 14 years old.
Tell us what you think of the interview with Dan Blackwell. What do you think of it? What ideas did you get? Do you have any suggestions? Or did it help you? Let’s have your comments below and/or on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.
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