I moved a lot growing up. The new kid in a new school every other year. It shaped my personality and view of culture. And as long as I can remember I’ve also been in love with film. After high school I moved from Nashville to LA to pursue acting. But any struggling actor will tell you, take the work you can get. It turns out I was a natural at hosting. In 2001 when MTV held auditions to find the face of their newly acquired CMT, 22 year old Lance Smith got the job, ironically back home in Nashville. I then spent two decades as a national TV personality on one outlet or another.
In 2012 I would pretend to be a news anchor for two years on the nationally syndicated, live morning show The Daily Buzz. It’s there I met Quinton Macari, a camera operator and editor on the show. We stayed in touch over the years as I dove deeper into film and performance study, occasionally directing small productions. 9 years later Q would become the EP of a film and offer me my first feature, A Time For Every Purpose.
My life as a director is the product of a career spent chasing the wrong thing, but ultimately learning along the way. I still moonlight as the occasional host, however. For the last 9 seasons I’m the game day hype man for the Tennessee Titans, even hosting a weekly live show. But that’s only because I love the team. Directing film is the love of my professional life.
A Time For Every Purpose | Official Trailer (2023)
indieactivity: How would you describe your work as a director?
Lance Smith (LS): I approach every production, every setup, every take with performance in mind. What will it take to allow for the best and truest capture? It’s not to say actors are the most important thing. Not at all. But they are the tip of the spear.
How did you get into directing?
Lance Smith (LS): After a couple of decades working on-camera I suffered burn out. I couldn’t stand the idea of hosting another show or talking about entertainment nonsense. I still loved the film though. So I began teaching acting and soon after, a friend noticed how effective my coaching was. He asked me to direct a small pilot he had been putting together. And once we started rolling I realized this was my everything.
How do you choose a project to direct?
Lance Smith (LS): I can’t wait until I’m able to “choose” from projects being thrown at me! Right now it’s about “which project has funding?” Ideally I would make only the films that are in my heart. But one of my strengths is my industry experience coupled with my adaptability.
What uniqueness can female directors bring to film/tv/cinema?
Lance Smith (LS): The same uniqueness they bring to life. But male to female or anywhere in between, filmmaking is about perspective. It stands to reason that a class of people who are most generally responsible for brining life into existence and who then nurture us might have a very special and nuanced vision of life. And isn’t that what a good film is?
Do you often take courses to increase your craft?
Lance Smith (LS): I watch a helluva lot of movies.
What books do you read?
Lance Smith (LS): Right now I tend to be reading a lot of Stoicism, but that’s because I’m a 45 year old male and can’t afford a convertible. Always been a big Stephen King fan because he makes me feel like I know how his characters think. There’s a book of his I’d give anything to adapt, but I won’t say.
Why would you choose an actor, writer, or producer? What do you look for?
Lance Smith (LS): Can we communicate? Can we exchange ideas honestly? That, and level of commitment. I want to know that you are just as excited to execute the mission as I am.
When you are offered a project, what things do you put in place to deliver a good job?
Lance Smith (LS): I first look at the overall project and decide where I’m least proficient. Which is often a lot of areas. And then I make sure I get the people I trust to support those spaces. Once I feel like all bases are covered then it’s just about keeping the vibes high and buffering the pressures so everyone brings their best.
Briefly explain your latest work?
Lance Smith (LS): Our latest project is the feature A Time For Every Purpose, a gritty, inspirational drama. It focuses on 4 individuals in a small town, each dealing with their own problems and how they find resolve.
Explain key challenges on your last film?
Lance Smith (LS): We were fortunate in having an angel investor in DMG Studios. With a budget of $250K and some added soft equity, we used every resource we could find. Locations, meals, etc. I can’t really say we had any challenges other than everything. Locations fail. Plan B. Actor falls though, plan B. Oh wait he’s back.. Plan A. It’s raining, the shot is ruined… oh wait, throw up a tarp let’s use it! I’d say the biggest challenge is just taking a low budget indie film and getting it through quality control and then finalizing distribution. That final part is like the last rep of an Olympic bench pressing session.
What ‘thing/situation’ helps you during production?
Lance Smith (LS): Good crafty. Lots of black coffee.
Explain a creative choice you took on the set of a recent production?
Lance Smith (LS): Everything is a creative choice. Everything is done with purpose either actively or passively. In a short film I directed last year, we had a three-person shot that quickly became a two-shot. These characters haven’t seen each other in some time and they’ve bumped into one another on the street. My handheld shot on the sidewalk captured the long exchange so well I axed the next setup because I knew in the moment I would use this whole take in one. There were some objections at the time due to fear of lack of coverage, but it worked. And we added time later in the day. Make a choice. Choose and go.
How do you advise directors to find projects?
Lance Smith (LS): There’s immense artistry in directing, but only if it comes from the soul. There’s also tremendous creativity and cleverness from the mind. So it really depends on how well a director knows themselves and what they want to find the right project. But there is always a cross section of the commercial and the artistic. If someone else’s money is being put into it, put some consideration into what is best going to help get money out of it. And if it’s your money, do whatever the hell makes you happy.
How can filmmakers finance their projects?
Lance Smith (LS): Any legal means possible. But it’s imperative you know the value of what you already have. A finished script, a semi-known name, gear, locations, etc… whatever you can pull together on your own, whether you spent the money or not, has a value. The more value you increase on your own shows investors they are not just throwing money into your “good idea.” Money gets money. But if you’re starting from scratch? Car wash, rich aunt, credit cards.
What do you want from an actor during a production?
Lance Smith (LS): Know your dialogue. Period.
How do you prefer to work with a producer during a production?
Lance Smith (LS): This depends on the relationship. I have producers who I want to call me on a potential problem or question anything I do because I trust that they know me. But if it’s just business? We’ll talk in a video village.
What do you think a female director can do to get into the film industry?
Lance Smith (LS): Surround yourself with good people who know you. It isn’t about leading with being a female, but rather getting it done and letting them celebrate later that a female did it. And this goes for any gender, if you’re at all timid in personal character or soft spoken, but you’re a good filmmaker, have a circle of people who really know your strengths. Nobody gets anywhere alone in this business. Just make something and let the work speak.
Who is your favorite director?
Lance Smith (LS): Impossible. But I will say Spielberg is responsible for igniting the spark in me as a child.
Why?
Lance Smith (LS): Many of my favorite films are Spielberg films (ET, Jaws, Close Encounters…) and it’s because of how he captures relationships in the frame.
What advice would you give male/female directors around the world?
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Briefly write about your career?
Lance Smith (LS): My career has been a long and winding one but not very long in the director’s seat. A handful of shorts and commercials and one feature, so far. But I don’t regret my path. I think if I wanted to be a director from the start, I would’ve screwed up and gone to film school! Just kidding. I did learn on the job though. I’ve hosted live television in front of millions, anchored the top rated show on a VIACOM network, and interviewed major celebrities. I’ve been fortunate to buy a ticket and see my face on the big screen multiple times.
I didn’t realize it at the time but it was all preparing me for this role now. I absolutely love working with actors and discovering characters within them. A couple of years ago I met up-and-coming comedian DJ Pryor and knew right away he was a star. We cast him in our short film and he was phenomenal. Can’t take your eyes off him. He now has a special being released in October and I know he’s going to take off.
I spent my entire professional life chasing a dream I had when I was 17. I woke up at 40 and discovered my true self.
Tell us what you think of the interview with Lance Smith. 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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