Danielle Earle (Producer/Director) from LA Web Series Award Winning Series “Brooklyn Is In Love,” presents her upcoming feature film “Lover’s Game,” starring Crawford Collins, Miranda McCauley, Paul Sheehan, Andrew Nielson and Teniece Johnson.
The new film “Lover’s Game,” is a love story of seduction, art, and the emotional battles that bend and break us. Vincent and Annabella are a wealthy couple living in New York City. They want to have a child, but discover that children will never be a possibility. Soon, their ambitions of family causes an effect with their marriage. One day Annabella, meets a painter named Gillian; a seductive, exotic lesbian painter who changes her whole perspective on her future plans with Vincent.
Their friendship becomes closer, after Anna offers her an opportunity to showcase her artwork at her gallery opening on a Wednesday night.
Soon, Anna and Gillian’s relationship becomes closer, which leads to a love affair, that causes a roll coaster of emotions of betrayal, seduction that eventually cause Anna to reach her breaking point.
Danielle Earle’s Lover’s Game was nominated for 3 categories at the Hudson Valley International Film Festival for Best Narrative, Best Director and Winner for Best Actress Crawford M. Collins for “Lover’s Game.”
After Danielle Earle won 3 Web Series Awards from the LA Web Series Festival in 2012 and being the center story of major media platforms, such as Social Media Monthly, Curve Magazine, Time Out, Village Voice, and News 12 New Jersey. She has been featured in the Q&A with Emily Best CEO and Founder for Seed & Spark and X Factor Films for Directed By Women Happy Hour Segment. Danielle Earle has finally made a name for herself as being considered “the female producer that never backs down, and never giving up.” Earle says, “Pain is all apart of the journey, and that’s why I write love stories so much. The beauty and self-identity in what is painful, but at the same time, it’s what makes us stronger, and more determined. As a producer, I have dealt with having to roll with the punches. I told myself, “Quitting is easy, but hanging in there is the hardest part. It shows the power in your ability more than anything else.”
What’s Next? Danielle Earle just wrapped a feature film for LGBT Love Stories, as the director, and writer of the L Segment produced by Shelbe Chang. Stay tuned for “Lover’s Game” out in September followed by “The Haunted Mind Of An Insomniac” feature film starring Ebeneezer Nii Sowah, Leigh Poulos, Emily Dalton, Jamal Crowelle, Yaron Urbas, Kim Akia, Kurt Sauer, and Emily Bennett
How would you describe your work as a director
This is wonderful and tough question at the same time. I would probably describe my work as a director, as a writer that creates films from the heart. when I write a story, it’s like I’m putting my diary on display for the world to see. Writing is my therapy through heartache, joy, pain, and love. You can call me a hopeless romantic, and I’ll accept. I guess I get that passion from my mother. She’s incredibly strong, passionate and was a lover of Soap Operas. I grew up watching everything from “Knots Landing”, “Sisters”, “Twenty something”, “Melrose Place”, “Beverly Hills 90210”, “My So-Called Life”, and the list continues. Growing up as a shy kid in Oakland, New Jersey, writing was considered my escape. It still is. Having that kind of creative freedom as a woman is incredibly thrilling. I’ve always wanted to create content that spoke to all genders and nationalities. We have reached great success through the LGBT community to which I’m incredibly humbled, and happy about. I want every person to have a voice in my films. I continue to strive, and push myself as much as possible to pursue that goal.
How did you get into directing
These questions keep getting better and better. Professionally, in my mid 20s, Danielle Earle studied for my BFA in Animation and Visual Effects in San Francisco. Animation was what I wanted to do during my earlier adolescent days. When I was in my senior year, I took a film class, and my professor emailed me, and said “Danielle Earle, you know so much about films. You should really look into film directing.” After I finished College, I followed his lead. In 2009, I had a revelation. I traveled to New York, and started a web series called “On The Scene,” which reached over 100,000 views online. The web series was a documentary series, that explored the New York City underground music scene and it eventually spread to the UK. I took courses for my Masters at the City College of New York, and developed the LA Award Winning Web Series, “Brooklyn Is In Love.” The series explores three friends struggling and trying to find love in Brooklyn, NY. After the murder of Diane’s boyfriend Jeremy, Diane goes through a deep depression, causing her to shut herself away from love. Until, one day a man from her past returns, causing Diane to rekindle her heart, and unravel painful memories of her past. Through Diane’s tragic experience it causes her best friends to look at their own lives in a new perspective. Leading one of the characters to their breaking point and another to self discovery. Since then, I continued produce films, and I haven’t stopped since.
How do you choose a project to direct
When I choose a project to direct, it has to move me emotionally. I value films that have substance, development, strong female characters and superb dialogue.
What uniqueness can female directors bring to cinema/TV
Women directors can definitely bring a lot to the table especially in the film industry. For many years men in the film industry have been writing for women and that needs to end; a male director can not be the voice for a women audience. Not to say, that there hasn’t been outstanding films that were produced by men, created for a predominately female audience. But in respect to the question I can only say how important it is to allow women to create their own storylines, because it subjects the truth of how it feels to speak, and live as woman in America.
Do you take courses to increase your craft
Always. I would highly recommend going to a lot of film festivals, and events in New York City. If you live in New York you are already ahead of the game, you just have to work at your craft, and continue to strive.
What books do you read
Poetic romance novels. My favorite authors are Nicholas Sparks, William Shakespeare (playwright) and Virginia Woolf. Favorite book, “Mrs. Dalloway.”
Why will you choose an actor, writer or producer. What do you look for
When I cast an actor I ask myself a question “If I was 17 years old, and bought a movie ticket for $12.50, who do I want to see on the big screen and why? What moves me emotionally or what draws me to this character, actor or actress.” Those are the feelings that I have when I’m in the casting room. The performance has to be a performance that I will remember for the next 10 years as a director/producer. As an actor/actress you have to be extremely passionate, dedicated and supportive. When I say supportive, you have to be supportive of the piece. I would have discussions with producers in TV, Films, etc. and I can’t tell you how much we value that. It truly means a lot to directors, writers, when an actor/actress shares the same passion for the character you’ve created for them. What I look for in a producer or a director I look for the same qualities. Extremely passionate, and willing to go the extra mile with me, and to trust me. Trust is very important in filmmaking. Sometimes we don’t see the rainbow, as we walk down that yellow brick road in the distance. You need to have that sense of trust and belief that product will be nothing but exceptional, and thrilling.
When you are offered a job, what things do you put in place to deliver a good job
Dedication, love, and honesty. I always put my heart and soul into every project. Writers and directors never sleep. We’re always creating and especially in 2015, you always have to be one step ahead of everything.
Briefly explain your latest work
Currently we’re in production on three projects in the works. One that will be out this December. It’s titled “The Haunted Mind of an Insomniac,” starring Ebeneezer Nii Sowah, Leigh Poulos, Emily Dalton, Jamal Crowelle, and Yaron Urbas. It’s set in 1957 in Harlem NY. It tells the story of Terrence Cleaver, a writer that suffers from insomnia, and severe depression after his wife’s suicide several years ago. He finds himself haunted by her, while he tries to finish his latest book “The Haunted Mind.” Later in the story, there’s a series of murders, that happen in the building, leaving Terrence as the prime suspect. There’s also a little romance that blossoms in the film between Terence and Lucinda Bloome, played by Leigh Poulos.
What are the key challenges on you latest film
Funding is always a struggle. Always, but I manage to make it through. The best way is not use personal funds. Try your best with Indiegogo, and Kickstarter. I’ve always felt that they are a wonderful resources to generate funding. A trick of the trade when it comes to locations is speaking to the owners directly, and try to look for new businesses that have recently opened. Don’t reach out to businesses, bars, restaurants, that have been there for a long time, because most of the time they will ask for a large payments for filming. I’ve always worked with Mom and Pop shops, or friends, family, and that definitely holds off on costs. When you are working with business owners it is a “help me, help you relationship”. Offer promotion and stipend that works around your budget. Most likely owners, will agree to filming, if it helps them generate profit by free promotion.
What thing/situation helps you during production
Support. When it comes to a production having the help and support by your crew, cast, friends etc helps a great deal, by word of mouth about your film.
Explain a creative choice you took on set on a recent production
I’ve noticed my cinematography has changed dramatic throughout the years since Brooklyn Is In Love. In Haunted Mind of an Insomniac, you will notice that the imagery is very different from “Lover’s Game.” I’ve combined a documentary type structure, with photography, as well special effect elements. The color and imagery are very different.
How do you advice directors to find projects
I think it’s not about finding projects so much, it’s about building the foundation for your film. Networking is key. Being a director and as a woman, I’ve always felt that we need to support one another in our community. No matter what background, gender, or nationality. The more we support the more we grow. There are millions of women directors out there, and I think it all boils down to creating an interesting story and collaborating. Offer assistance, to the next generation of young women filmmakers. Help them get their start. Collaborating is a beautiful way in getting your work out there.
How can filmmakers finance projects
This goes back to the previous question. I think Kickstarter and Indiegogo are the best resources for funding. Applying for Grants is a great way, but remember that there are some restrictions when applying for them, including ownership of your film.
What do you want from an actor in production
Great question. I want someone who is passionate, who will go the extra mile. Someone who is willing to take my direction and who values the project at hand. I’m an incredibly passionate person when it comes to all aspects of filmmaking. I will not sleep until get the job done.Trust is also a factor. It has to be a “trust me, trust you relationship”. It’s like being a passenger on a plane, and the pilot is the director. You have trust that him or her will send you to your destination. If you don’t trust the person, then it will never work.
I value my cast members whole heartedly, because I want everyone to excel. I think patience is also a factor. I’ve always said to my cast members that I will never be disappointed, and the end result will be worth the wait. It shows. After the success of Brooklyn Is In love, and a long wait with our LGBT Feature film Lover’s Game, we received 3 nominations from the Hudson Valley International Film Festival, and award for Best Actress for our lead Crawford M. Collins. Not to mention a distribution deal with Section II. It took 5 years professional and I know that my wonderful, courageous cast is all apart of the journey, and the reason for this beautiful beginning for our company PL Entertainment
What do you think a director can do to get into the film industry
Similar to what I mentioned early. Networking, and going to Film Screenings. The only way to get your work seen is by networking, and meeting other women directors, producers in the industry, and generate a foundation for your work. Learning from other women filmmakers is key. That’s the best way to do it. Also, never doubt your ability. Be fearless. In the film industry there’s always fear when it comes to women directors, especially because it’s dominated by men. It is slowly changing, but at times it can be rather intimating especially for young women filmmakers getting into the industry. It’s challenging, but so is life and you have to fight through. Never back down, or give up. If you want to make it in the business you have to be willing to go the extra mile.
Who is your favorite director
Can I pick more than one? Another great question. I have a few. Lisa Cholodenko (Director and Writer of High Art), Jenji Kohan (Creator of Weeds, and Orange is The New Black), and Nancy Meyers (Writer and Director of Something’s Gotta Give, It’s Complicated), and Nora Efron (Writer of “When Harry Met Sally), Amy Heckerling (Writer and Director of Clueless, and Fast Times at Ridgemont High), Martha Collidge (Writer and Director of Valley Girl), John Hughs (Pretty In Pink, Some Kind of Wonderful, Sixteen Candles, St Elmo’s Fire, The Breakfast Club, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off), and Williard Carroll (Writer and Director of Playing By Heart), and Alfred Hitchcock.
Why this director
All of them are amazing, but if I had to pick one it would be Lisa Cholodenko. Her work literally took my breath away after watching High Art. The chemistry between Alley Sheedy and Radha Mitchell was so beautiful. The script was phenomenal. I remember when it came out in select theaters a lot of critics were shocked. Now it’s considered one of the best lesbians films of all time. To me, that film paved the way for other female directors that followed.
All of them shared a piece of my heart and my creativity as an artist, that I deeply admired. What I love about Nancy Meyers is her honest writing, as well as film directing. Amy Heckeling and John Hughs were apart of my youth, literally. I grew up watching their films. John Hughs to me was one of the few directors that knew how to write about women. He always had female driven characters. All were confident, fearless in their own way.
What advice would you give to directors around the world
Never give up. That is the best advice Danielle Earle could give. Stay strong. If you want to director your own film. Do it. Don’t let anyone try to take away or belittle your dream as an artist. When I was a young director getting into the business I’ve had other directors, from time to time, tell me that “Brooklyn Is In Love,” would never happen. That I should start over, or try something else or let someone direct or produce it. It would be incredibly discouraging, but I never let that stop me. I let that be my challenge to prove to myself that I can accomplish anything if I put my heart and soul into it. The struggle is all apart of the journey. After 6 years, I’m so glad I stuck it out.
Briefly write about your career
In 2009, Danielle Earle developed a series on “On The Scene,” Documentary Series. It was a documentary series that followed the lives of indie rock bands, solo artists, living in New York City. It eventually expanding to the UK and reached over 100,000 views on YouTube.
In 2010, I produced, directed, and edited a short film called “Where The Road May Lead Us,” starring Evan Baker and Melanie Burstin in New York. In 2011, I started my own production company, called PL Entertainment LLC, that focuses on narrative feature films, music videos and documentaries. During that same year, I produced a web series called “Brooklyn Is In Love,” that was eventually signed to the Writers Guild of America East in 2012, and received a total of 5 Awards at the LA Web Series Festival. You can find Season One and Two. The series was featured in Time Out Magazine, and The Village Voice. Our recent film “Lover’s Game,” starring Crawford M. Collins, Miranda McCauley, and Blaine Pennington that has been featured in AfterEllen, Women of Upstate New York Magazine, Curve Magazine, Bronze, LA Talk Radio, and many more publications as well TV appearances on News 12 New Jersey.
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