I started making movies after I graduated high school. I never thought I would become a filmmaker until I moved to Phoenix, AZ from Chicago, IL to go to college to play college football. Being out of my comfort zone made me think about how I wanted to spend the rest of my life. I made my first short film while I was in college and that’s when I knew I wanted to be a full-time filmmaker.
I decided to drop out of school so I could write, produce, and direct my own movies. After I made five short films, I knew I was done making shorts and needed to make a feature length. I moved back to Chicago with my family, and I raised the money on my own to make THAT NIGHT. Now I run my production company, Broken Bulb Productions. We are currently working on our next projects.
indieactivity: How would you describe your work as a director?
Zachary Trussell (ZT): I like to have a wide range of styles. But the most important thing is that when I make a movie it cannot be boring. My top priority is to make the movie as entertaining and unpredictable as possible. I want people to watch my movies and think, “I’ve never seen something like that before”.
The Official Trailer for THAT NIGHT
How did you get into directing?
Zachary Trussell (ZT): When I was around 5 years old I wanted to be an actor because that’s who I saw on the TV, but when I found out the actors are told what to say I totally lost interested until I was 17-18 and I saw Django Unchained and the year after I saw The Wolf Of Wall Street. And from there I knew I was going to direct because I have always had a clear vision on how I want to creatively express myself. And when I made my first short film it felt so comfortable that I knew this is what I was meant to do.
How do you choose a project to direct?
Zachary Trussell (ZT): As of right now I would only direct something that I write. And there is an indescribable feeling I get when I know I should spend all my time working on something. The best way I can describe it is that I feel like I have to make the project and there is nothing that can stop me from making it.
Do you often take courses to increase your craft?
Zachary Trussell (ZT): I don’t take classes or courses on filmmaking, but I do watch movies every single day because that’s the best way I get inspired and learn from the filmmakers that I look up to.
What books do you read?
Zachary Trussell (ZT): I really enjoy non-fiction books about major events that have occurred in the past. For example, I love books like.
Why would you choose an actor, writer, or producer? What do you look for?
Zachary Trussell (ZT): I pick actors and crew members or producers solely based on their ability to do the task, but also just as importantly how they work with other people. I like to have a diverse cast and crew because that’s what I believe you need to have collaborative project work.
When you are offered a project, what things do you put in place to deliver a good job?
Zachary Trussell (ZT): For me I just need to feel the passion. If the project has no passion, then I’m not interested.
Briefly explain your latest work?
Zachary Trussell (ZT): THAT NIGHT is a romantic comedy that goes away from a lot of the norms in the genre. This is an inspiring movie that I believe will make audiences feel uplifted.
Explain key challenges on your last film?
Zachary Trussell (ZT): The biggest challenges were, we had a $30,000 budget, no one on set has ever made a feature film before, and of course we made it during the COVID-19 pandemic. But the reason we made it happen is because we never gave up and would move a mountain if we had to. We never quit; we never say die.
What ‘thing/situation’ helps you during production?
Zachary Trussell (ZT): Having people around that you can get along with and spend a lot of hours with. Being able to make connections with the cast and crew allows for the bad times to be better and you turn out having a great time and the production goes by fast.
Explain a creative choice you took on the set of a recent production?
Zachary Trussell (ZT): I decided to shoot THAT NIGHT all handheld because I wanted the audience to feel like they were with he cast and have an intimate connection with the characters on screen.
How do you advise directors to find projects?
Zachary Trussell (ZT): You have to feel like the project is a part of you and you can’t sleep at night because you want to make the movie.
How can filmmakers finance their projects?
Zachary Trussell (ZT): There are probably a million ways to finance a movie, but if you are just starting out you can’t ignore any route to getting your budget. I worked a part time job and saved all my money to make my first movie.
What do you want from an actor during a production?
Zachary Trussell (ZT): I want them to be creative and not to be order takers and contribute to the movie and improvise when they feel like they need to and to speak up when something doesn’t feel right.
How do you prefer to work with a producer during a production?
Zachary Trussell (ZT): Full transparency and being honest throughout the project.
Who is your favorite director?
Zachary Trussell (ZT): I have a long list of favorite directors but the ones who inspire me the most are the ones that have inspired most filmmakers such as Spielberg, Scorsese, Tarantino, and Nolan.
Why?
Zachary Trussell (ZT): They all make great movies but they all have box office success. It’s important to make a great movie, but it is also important to make a profitable one.
What advice would you give male/female directors around the world?
Zachary Trussell (ZT): Don’t listen to the doubts from other people or the ones you tell yourself.
Tell us what you think of the interview with Zachary Trussell. 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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