Andretti Dante – American Screenplay Writer and Film Director

Ladies and Gents, I am proud to introduce American Screenplay Writer and Film Director, Andretti Dante. Andretti, would you mind giving our readers a glimpse into your writing and directing history?

Well, I directed my first little short back in high school. Which was like 16 years ago. So that let’s you know how old I am. YIKES…but I started off in high school with a Friday news cast called ECTV. I started directing little music videos back then, but we wouldn’t do our own music. Like we would take a Biggie Smalls song and shoot a video to it. I would have my little 3 VCR set-up and just work my magic.

When I think back to those days I shake my head and just laugh. Thinking that we really was making the dopest videos, but back then…it actually was. Those days really helped me mold my skills. Then, after high school, I attended film school at Full Sail University in Orlando, FL. There I learned a lot about film making, but more importantly the friendships I made are what I cherish the most.

Your experience with FOX News and the San Antonio Spurs speaks greatly to your range. Did you originally want to work in sports, or was it just a stepping stone toward more creative film projects?

Well, I played sports growing up so that was cool, but my passion was always for film and music videos. The Fox News and San Antonio Spurs thing was more of I graduated from Full Sail and needed a job. So I got lucky and actually walked the stage with a job already. I literally walked the stage and got in the car and drove back to Texas to be at work that Monday.

I loved working for Fox, but it just wasn’t for me I really like having more creative control and I like film and music videos like I mentioned earlier. In news its pretty much the same structure and the same thing every night…just a different story. My A.D.D. is too bad for all that. Haha.

Do you like living in SO-CAL now better than Texas?

I LOVE So-Cal! The weather, the women, everything is here right in your face. All the images and places you see on T.V. or in films is right here, and doing what I do…it’s no better place to be for that. Oh and did I mention the women?

But I’m a Texas boy at heart and I will always love Texas more then anything. I mean it made me who I am and I rep Texas all day everyday. My family and childhood friends all reside in Texas, so I will always love it more then anywhere else.

Now I have to move. Lol. Tell us about some of the Music Videos you’ve directed. Do you have any personal favorites? Who are the musical artists that you work with?

I’ve directed a whole bunch of music videos with many different underground artists from all over. From Indiana, to Compton, and all the way to the UK. I’m been pretty blessed to direct so many videos with so many different acts.

My personal favorites would probably have to be Bandkamp’s “G.I.K.”, Dusty Angel’s “She Hated December”, Deuce “In My On Lane” I like them all so thats kind of a hard question. They all have their own special thing about them. Just from the days on set shooting them, to the way we made them happen, is unique in each video. You can be on the lookout for a video I just shot for UK rap artist Shizzio and it features Mopreme Shakur from ThugLife he is also 2pac’s brother which is real dope. Look for that in late August early September.

I have shot music videos for:

BandKamp
G.I. Fleezy
Deuce
J-City
Epademik
Kadillak Kaz
Shizzio
Mopreme
Shakur
Divinas
Kristina Heart
etc…

That’s a nice list man. Impressive to say the least. We’ve heard a lot of Indie buzz surrounding a short internet film you directed called Urban Legendz. What’s the story behind this graphic short?

Yeah man. It’s so funny to think back over a year ago shooting that little short. That has now blossomed into what it is today. The Urban Legendz short was actually gonna be a web series I was gonna start doing every few weeks on urban legends. I wanted to do something that was very graphic and shocking for the internet. Just really to showcase my diversity as a director.

I was coming off of directing Streetz Keep Callin Me and doing so many hip-hop music videos. I didn’t want to be thought of as I only could do urban films or music videos. I wanted to show that I could do it all. I love horror films and wanted to get back to old school horror of the 80’s.

Are the rumors true that this horror series is actually being turned into a Movie? What is the project called?

Yes Urban Legendz is in full swing to become a full feature film. The name of the film is Book Of 1,000 Deaths and we are looking at an October release date.

Have you always been a fan of horror films? What are some of your all-time favorites?

I have always LOVED horror films from the super cheesy to the most graphic ones. I just love the madness in horror films. The emotions a horror takes you through I love it. Some of my all-time favorites are The Lost Boys, Martyrs, Hellraiser, Halloween the original and the 1st Rob Zombie remake, Devil’s Rejects, Nightmare On Elm Street, SAW 2, etc… I love horror films, so I could go on for days. I will keep it at those for now.

Oh! I love IT even though a lot of people don’t like it. I love the fact that you’re the only one who can see him doing what he does. That still trips me out to think about being in that situation. I also like a lot of Japanese horror films like Tokyo Gore Police, Robogeshia, etc…

Are there any current or past Horror Directors that influence your work? What do you like most about their styles?

I don’t really have a horror director who I study their style or they influence my work. Although, I have heard from a lot of people that my style reminds them of Hitchcock. I really don’t see the similarities in our works, but I love the comparison and will take it. Hey, its Hitchcock.

I pretty much just go off my own style. I don’t try to do things the way another director does his thing. I just stick to what I know and just do me.

Original is always the best way. Man, if there is one thing we are into besides music, it is definitely horror films. Can you give us any clues as to what types of Urban Legends are represented in the film?

I can give you a little bit about that, but I don’t wanna give away too much. Haha. We have Bloody Mary, we have a much more elaborate and CRAZY new version of the Kidney Jacking urban legend. The little short film version you saw has got nothing on the movie version, so if you loved that one…ohhhh man. wait until you see the feature version. It’s NUTS.

The other ones you guys just have to wait to check out the movie, but trust me you’re gonna love it.

Has there been any casting done as of yet? Who is playing in Book of 1000 Deaths so far?

Book Of 1,000 Deaths is pretty much fully casted. Just a few more minor roles need to be cast, but we are hammering those out and should be done in the next day or so. First, we have Meow Mist Dawn who is the face of the franchise. I’m very happy to have her on board. I think Misti and the other adult stars I have in this film can really cross-over into mainstream movies and acting. With that being said we have adult starlets Sophie Dee, Andy San Dimas and Omg Its Jessie-Lee.

We have Fatso Fasano from Weeds, Soul Men, Righteous Kill, etc… in the film.

Other cast members are Kevin Brophy he was in Hell Night and also the star of the 70’s show, Lucan. Desiree-Elyda Villalobos, Mba Shakoor, Shaun Fletcher, Kelly Dolan, Paul Howard, Latham Ford, Angie Slate, Stevie White, Alexis Synodis, Manon Cooper, Eric Jackson, Leonardo Vincent, Nefertiti Thomas, Marsha Warren, Lakrishi Kindred, Jillian Jensen, Lu Chatherine, Daniel Long, J. Kristopher, Destiny Herrera, Desmond Moore, Jay Jimerson, Adam Weight, Serena Lorien, Sylvia Milu, Robert Urquieta, Shavsha Israel and Devyn Ashley.

Whew! I think that’s it. I know I forgot somebody, so I will just apologize for whoever I forgot.
I’m sorry – Andretti Dante

Man, that list is long. I don’t think anyone will hate on you for missing them. As someone who has directed plenty of music videos, I can only imagine Book of 1000 Deaths will have a hand-picked soundtrack. Are there any artists slated to be featured in the movie?

Yes. We have quite a few musical acts in the film. We have G.I. Fleezy who is an rap artist from Gary, Indiana. Deuce, a rapper from Compton, CA who was the star of my first film Streetz Keep Callin Me that was loosely based on his true story. They will be making a special appearance in the film. Same goes for pop/R&B group Envy, and Orange County rap group Nite Ridaz. Fatso Fasano also falls into this category, as he does music as well.

This film is actually kinda filled with artists. You have ShavSha Israel who is also a producer is working on a hip-hop album. Desmond Moore, who goes by the rap name “Broad Day”, raps. Even Desiree-Elyda Villalobos sings. Oh, and Mba Shakoor raps and I believe is working on an album. So yeah this movie is filled with musical talent all around.

Any idea when and where shooting will be taking place?

Shooting actually starts June 17th and we will be shooting through out the month of June. Mostly all the shooting will be taking place in Hollywood and Orange County.

We’ve read recently that there is a way for fans to actually take part in the film. Care to elaborate on these awesome opportunities?

Yeah, we have a thing going on with Indiegogo.com where fans can help donate funds to the film and in return they receive some cool thank you gifts.

Like a copy of the Book of 1000 Deaths DVD, the soundtrack to the movie, posters, signed collectibles, an invitation to the premiere and after party. You can even come down to the set while we shoot the film.

You can also have your name in the credits as a producer, which to me is the dopest thing out of all of the perks. I mean how many people can actually really say that they have produced a film? They can go HERE to donate if it sounds like something they’re interested in doing.

Shout-Out Time! Spread the love Andretti Dante style.

Alright, 1st off, I would like to thank my Mom, sister and brother for their everlasting love and support throughout everything I have done. I gotta shoutout DreJax my beautiful God-Daughter Ariela, my boy Ben, Wizzly-Adams, Fleezy, Ra-koozie, Cold-Thang, Mnty, Fatso Fasano, Sang, Edward Austin-Pugh, Big Dawg, Walt, Jim Lopez, BJ, Steve, Deuce, Black, Nite Ridaz, Free Kaddy, my Book Of 1,000 Deaths team ShavSha Israel, Kristin R. Thomas, Megan Slater, Armando Hernendaz, all my people back home in Texas and Lakeside IDGAF all day. I do this for all of you. Oh and the Jiblet Bean. If I forgot you don’t get mad at me I will get you on the next one.

Last but not least BlowtheScene.com for finding me interesting enough to do a story on. Ok, I think I have bored your readers enough. Go tell a friend to tell a friend to tell 5 friends about Book Of 1,000 Deaths. Make sure to go see it when it comes out later this year.

– Andretti Dante

Thanks Andretti! We are going to be following everything Book of 1000 Deaths all the way through it’s release later this year. The stars, shooting, production….everything. Keep your eyes out for all the news.

Find out more about Andretti Dante and Book of 1000 Deaths:

www.bookof1000deaths.com
www.indiegogo.com/book-of-1000-deaths
www.twitter.com/1000deathsmovie
www.bookof1000deaths.tumblr.com
www.myspace.com/bookof1000deaths
www.facebook.com/bookof1000deaths
www.youtube.com/bookof1000deaths

www.twitter.com/andrettidante
www.myspace.com/drettilottlst
www.facebook.com/andrettidante
www.youtube.com/datboythere
www.vimeo.com/andrettidante

– Interview by Timothy Bonner

Tags: Andretti Dante, Andy San Dimas, Book of 1000 Deaths, Fatso Fasano, horror films, indie films, Misti Dawn, OMG Its Jessie Lee, Sophie Dee

This entry was posted on Friday, June 11th, 2010 at 9:21 pm and is filed under Andretti Dante, Interviews, Movies. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.