Born and raised in Massachusetts, Nick Di Bella has been writing and working in film and television since 2004. Having worked for The Late Show with David Letterman, The Yankee Candle Corporation, and Hasbro Toys as an Assistant Director, Nick is well versed in all facets of production. In 2006 Nick joined the team at Films Royale and has written, shot, and directed films for the production house. He is currently working the final draft his pet project, a feature length screenplay, as well as his first novel.What is the current project you are working on?
My current project is "In The Deathroom: Based on a Story by Stephen King". It, as the title suggests, is based on a short story that I read a number of years ago, and quickly fell in love with. In reaching out to the author, I managed to gain the rights to adapt his original work into a screenplay, and finally into a short film.
Did you always want to be a filmmaker?
I have wanted to work in media production since a very young age. My mom worked in radio when I was a child, so the creative realm was always one that inspired me.
What inspired you to become filmmaker?
As I grew up, I was fortunate to take broadcast classes in High school. At which time I met a guy around my age who also had an interest in film named Chris Goff. We became fast (and best) friends, and I'm lucky enough to have him as my Director of Photography today. He is not only extremely well versed from a technical standpoint, he has a fantastic sense of story telling. From there it was a sure thing.
What is the best thing about being one?
The notion of "the narrative" has always been a source of real excitement for me. The idea that everyone who has ever lived has their own perception of the world, has their own actions they've taken, and consequences to those actions has really been a staple in my fandom and work. And to get to experiment with it everyday is a dream come true.
What is the worst thing about being one?
Unless you've made it to Hollywood and are working massive projects, budgets are small or non-existent, which leaves you to do the work of several (hundred) people.
What is the estimated number of projects you have worked on?
Between professional and independent work, I'd say I've worked on around 15 projects.
Who is is your favorite filmmaker?
Hmm. Favorite film maker. Of course there are the greats, Spielberg, Scorcese, Lucas, Cameron. But I like the lesser-knowns, or perhaps, the non-box office titans. Robert Rodriguez (a pioneer of independent creation), Quentin Tarantino. My front-runner now, would have to be Chris Nolan. With the exception of Insomnia, I don't think he's had a single miss.
How has your life changed since you became a filmmaker?
I've come into my own as it pertains to having a so-called "identity". I know what I am, even if there isn't a great word for it. I am a story teller, whether on the page, or screen, I love exercising my imagination.
What is one piece of advice you can give to someone who also wants to make it in the movie business?
The best advice I can give to someone who is starting out is, surround yourself with good, honest, capable people, and you will succeed, if not in film, in the friendships that you make.
What do you like to do besides filmmaking?
I love to read. The idea of "the narrative" really begins and ends with other people's work. Whether it's my favorite author of all time, Stephen King, or popular fiction like J.K. Rowling, these stories captivate and educate me more than a lifetime of schooling.
Have you had any other jobs before you decided to become a filmmaker?
I often found myself in sales jobs. I'm a bit of a loud mouth so hawking products has always come naturally to me (even if I loathe it.)
What are some of your favorite American films? Foreign films? Television shows?
My favorite American films would have to be 1977's Star Wars, Jurassic Park, The Godfather, Michael Mann's Heat, Scorcese's The Aviator, The Documentary "It Might Get Loud", and perhaps my all time favorite, Terminator 2.
In regards to foreign film, I very much like latin films. "Bella" is a spectacular little movie. Though "The Diving Bell and the Butterfly" is one of my favorites as well.
TV is where my heart really lays, I could go on about it for days. There is so much amazing story telling on television right now. From Fringe to Breaking Bad, from Dexter to Glee, from Sons of Anarchy to Louie. It's all amazingly addictive stuff.
My top 2 of all time would have to be the BBC's Sherlock (Series 2 is currently in production) and my number 1... LOST.
How would you describe your film education?
I took practical and theoretical courses for my undergraduate degree. (Though the practical are really the only important ones).
How would you describe the film "scene" where you live?
Boston has a nice little sub-culture for film. Occasionally you'll see a local celebrity shooting a hollywood film, but mostly it's a unified group of underpaid artists striving to tell the most captivating stories they can, with little time and even smaller budgets.
How has social media changed the independent film industry?
Socially Media has been a godsend. I'm a huge propenent of technology as a creative tool. We have done all of our press releases, auditions, crew hiring, and promotions via the internet and social media. It gives power to those who might not otherwise have it. While Hollywood is shelling out money to pase some celebrity's face all over the sides of buses to promote some "threequel" that cost 250 Million dollars to produce, we can pay a few bucks for ad's on Facebook, or uses the power of twitter followers for free to generate genuine and measurable interest in our productions.
What's your opinion on crowdfunding?
Crowdfunding is a beautiful entity. It allows artists to bond together and lend a helping hand to one another in the way that really counts...money. We can lend a few bucks here and there in the hopes that we receive help in return. I love to surf the crowdfunding sites like Kickstarter to see what new and interesting products are trying to get off the ground, and let my friends and family know about them.
What is the casting process like?
Casting is time consuming, more so than I think people expect, but it's also a lot of fun. You get to see a number of people interperet your words in their own way. It's amazing what people can come up with.
You could go back in time and see any classic film being made. Which film would it be and why?
I would go back in time and watch them shoot the original starwars. To see an entire galaxy be created, and to know that some 30 years later it is still being polished, created upon, and still incredibly lucrative.
What's your favorite movie quote and why?
This is a random and tacky one, but it's so pulpy and melodramatic, that I can't help but love it, I often find myself thinking about the words and how cool they are when strung together. It would have to be, "The world is not enough." from the James Bond film of the same name. It's such an unrealistic thing to say, but James would. And he would mean it. And that's what makes it so badass.
What is your opinion on movie remakes?
Movie remakes are almost always a horrible idea. There are of course exceptions. See The Cohen's True Grit. The first one is fantastic, but so is theirs. If a filmmaker sees a narrative tributary that is unexplored, by all means, delve deeper. If you are just modernizing a past hit to churn some revenue, then you are wasting valuable time, money, and resources, see 2011's "Footloose". The trailer for that film says it all. It makes me want to jump out of a moving bus.
What is your opinion on book to movie adaptions?
I hate them. Okay, no I don't seeing as my current project is an adaptation of an amazing story. I think there is always huge opportunity to explore a story on screen. Just ask J.K. Rowling. Somethings from the book will be lost, of course, but other things will be gained. The Lord of The Rings was introduced to a whole new (massive) audience as a film, that would most likely never have read the book. That being said, the rate at which comics and books are being turned into movies, does have me worried about the precious stone that is the "original screenplay".
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Every story is interesting, as long as it's told well.
Thanks for doing the interview Nick. I will be sure to spread the word about your film "In The Deathroom: Based on a Story by Stephen King"
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