We had the good fortune of connecting with Dante Marino and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dante, why did you pursue a creative career?
I’ve always been creating art since I was a kid. I would film videos with friends and make music in my spare time. I don’t feel fulfilled if I’m not creating something, so I knew I had to pursue an artistic career. Film is such an exciting medium to me, because it encompasses so many different art forms. It’s also extremely collaborative, so I get to work with other amazing artists. Filmmaking is something I just feel compelled to do. I can’t imagine doing anything else.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I recently completed my debut feature film, Homewrecker. I have written a number of screenplays over the years, but the hard part is getting funding for production. I knew I couldn’t wait around hoping for someone to randomly give me a million dollars, so I wrote a movie that could be made for a limited budget. I was able to save up and self-fund the film, with help from my generous family and friends. I believe that the most important part of the filmmaking process is the writing. You don’t need fancy equipment or A-list actors to make a great movie. You need a compelling story, well-rounded characters, and good pacing.

Ross Warr and I have produced many short films and music videos through Defector Films, but Homewrecker was our first feature film. Over the years, we learned how to budget smartly and schedule efficiently in order to get the most out of our budgets. The production went smoothly and we had so much fun making it. I am incredibly proud of what we accomplished. We just recently premiered the film at the Cinequest, and the responses we got from the audience were better than I ever could have imagined. Now, we are in the process of securing distribution for the film, and then it’ll be on to the next project!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
For a delicious but reasonably priced meal, I always recommend Dave’s Hot Chicken.
On a beautiful, sunny LA day, you can’t go wrong by watching a good movie at the AMC Burbank 16.
If it’s a rainy day, I would recommend going to the AMC Burbank 8 to watch a good movie.
For my nature lovers, there are so many great spots you can go to take in the natural beauty of the area. My favorite is the AMC Burbank 6 where you can watch a good movie.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’d like to shout out Ross Warr who is my closest creative collaborator. We met at Emerson College and immediately became friends. After graduating, we moved to Los Angeles together. In 2021, we started our production company, Defector Films, where we continue to produce films, music videos, and commercials. I am so thankful to have had such a close creative partner all these years.

Website: https://www.directedbydante.com

Instagram: dantemarino

Other: Production Company: projects@defectorfilms.net

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