Meet Dan Sinclair | Writer/Actor/Director

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

Hi Dan, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
The biggest change to my work-life balance was the birth of my son. Back in the day, I could work a full day job shift, then write at a coffee shop until it closed without blinking an eye. Now, every minute I spend working when he’s not around feels like a missed father moment. At the same time, I know I need to find time to get the work done, so it’s a constant juggling act.

The thing I have to keep reminding myself is that putting in the work to get where I want to be as an artist is important to his future, too. So I try to get creative. I squeeze in writing or acting prep while he’s busy doing his own thing—whether he’s at school, visiting his abuelo, or playing Fortnite with his cousin. And when hard deadlines hit, I commit fully, but then make sure to give him a 100% father-son day (or two) once it’s over to make up for it.

He’s a smart kid, though. We can always talk through it—whatever it is. Most of the time he understands where I’m coming from, and he shares his side, too. We work it out. Communication is always key… to everything, basically.

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’m really proud of the work I’ve done so far—but even more excited for what’s still ahead. As a writer, I’ve written two Lionsgate feature films, optioned a few spec scripts, published short stories, and even got to write comedy bits for the likes of Charlize Theron and Natalie Portman. But what excites me most right now is the future: my dark dramedy The Crummiest Book, my sci-fi psychological thriller Very Little Room, and my horror script The Deprived.

As an actor, I’m incredibly grateful that director Chadrick Preuss trusted me to take the lead in Velocity (streaming everywhere later this year). And it was surreal getting to share a scene with Star Trek legend Michael Dorn in Glowzies. But honestly? I’m just as pumped to tackle the next audition, learn something new in a casting director’s workshop, or dive into a brand-new scene with a scene partner I’ve never worked with before. There’s magic in building something that didn’t exist until you started reading it together.

My directorial debut, the short film The Monster, toured the world in dozens of festivals and earned several awards, nominations, and honorable mentions. But it’s my feature debut that really lights the fire in me. It’s gonna be a horror dramedy called Girl Drinks Valley. Very L.A., with the Valley’s craft beer scene as its backdrop:
“During an exorcism in a remote San Fernando Valley cabin, a grief-stricken craft beer lover and her new paranormal-investigating friend unleash an evil presence that forces them to confront the dead, the living, and the secrets they wish they could forget.”

Aubrey Plaza would be amazing in the lead—do you happen to know her? Kidding. Kind of.

I didn’t get here alone, and I’m still a long way from where I want to be. What I’m most excited about is getting to collaborate with more driven, like-minded people—both new folks and old friends I’ve been lucky enough to work with already. A lot of my stories are personal, but making them has always been a team effort. I really believe that’s true for any great creative project. And I honestly love getting to celebrate the wins—and laugh or vent about the not-so-wins—with my amazing family and close friends.

Oh, and also learn to revise.

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?
I’d probably start with some beach time in Malibu, then something chill like a stroll through Ferndell, followed by a double feature at the New Beverly. After that, we’d hit up one of the city’s classic dive bars—maybe The Frolic Room or Ye Rustic Inn. But honestly, the heart of the trip would be all about eating and drinking because I’ve been vegan for over three years and a total craft beer nerd forever, so I’ve got some spots I need to show off.

We’d kick things off with what I call the best beer block in L.A.: W. Elmyra Street between Main and Spring. On one end is Highland Park Brewery, which I’d argue is the best in the city—maybe even in the country. They nail everything: IPAs, lagers, stouts—you name it. Then, just up the block, we’d grab some saison spritzes at Homage. From there, depending on how long the designated driver is willing to put up with us, we could sample my Valley favorites like MacLeod, 8one8, and Lawless, or head down to the South Bay for El Segundo, Monkish, and HopSaint. Or maybe just swing by Glendale Tap or Tony’s Darts Away to sample it all without the commute.

Then it’s time to pig out… without any dead pigs. If you only have time for one vegan restaurant in L.A., I’d say rethink that and make it two: the greasy comfort food at Doomie’s Home Cookin’ and the immaculate Italian dishes at Pura Vita (both in Hollywood). Don’t argue—just go. I also highly recommend the burritos at Van Nuys’ El Cocinero, sushi at Agoura Hills’ Ma-Ki, pizza at Donna Jean in Sherman Oaks, sandwiches from Maciel’s Plant Butcher in Highland Park, the eggplant parm at Jule Goes Green, the chili at Othello’s Plant-Based Kitchen, and of course, the full experience at the plant-based OG, Canoga Park’s Follow Your Heart. Oh—and don’t forget to save room for soft serve at Magpie’s.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I took a creative writing class my junior year at the University of Central Florida, right when I was deciding whether or not to reapply to the very trendy film program—which had already rejected me twice. In walked Jeanne Leiby, with her short hair, sporting a blazer over an all-black wardrobe and sipping on a Diet Coke. She talked about “windchiming” and “penguins in bathtubs.” Shortly after, I didn’t give a crap about film school anymore and signed up for every class Jeanne taught.

She became my mentor at a time when I really needed one—both as a writer and as a young adult having a hard time letting go of childhood. Jeanne was more than a teacher. She was my friend. A friend who kicked my lazy ass into gear. She told me I was a great first-draft writer but joked that I was absolute garbage beyond that. I had good ideas, sure, but I didn’t take the time to revise and shape them into something worthwhile. But she saw the potential—and under her tutelage and brutal honesty, I grew as a writer and creative thinker all the way through grad school (which I only went to because she convinced me to). And the mentoring didn’t stop after I left UCF. We kept in touch right up until she died in a tragic car accident.

So shoutout to Jeanne M. Leiby, my friend and mentor. I’m eternally grateful for everything she did for me. I know I’d never be who I am today without her being such a big part of my life. She’ll live on in every story I tell (and revise).

Website: https://linktr.ee/seedanwrite

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedansinclair/

Twitter: https://x.com/seedanwrite

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dannysinwrite/

Other: IMDb:
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3708056/

Image Credits
Sandeep Vadlamudi, Joanna DeGeneres, Stephen Walsh,