Meet Daniel Byers | Director & Writer

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

Hi Daniel, what role has risk played in your life or career?
It’s been a big part of it. On my 30th birthday, we had themed drinks for each of my near-death experiences… from being swarmed by fire ants (The Spicy Shuffle – whiskey with red pepper and lime) to being struck by lightning (The Bizuli Shocker – pineapple juice and grenadine.) There were 9 in total, completely running out my cat lives, and the game itself probably should count as a 10th. I think taking risks is, broadly, good for you. But not for its own sake – it should be in the service of something bigger. I didn’t go to Afghanistan to get stuck in machine gun crossfire – I went there to film snow leopards and be part of a conservation effort I care deeply about. When I shot a film using Virtual Production technology – a first for a low budget independent film, a difficult technology with no guidebook – I did it because there was no other way to tell that story well. I think it’s important to do risky things out of love. “It is not enough to fight for the land, one must also enjoy it” in the words of Edward Abbey. “The Devil” in tarot represents not evil – but stasis – and it is the card of our times. We’re increasingly influenced by addictive, algorithmic, casino-like forces, especially online – things that encourage poor risk taking behaviour, not the positive kind. So my advice, where risks are involved, is to hold fast to the highest version of who you are. Have a higher calling for your risk taking: art, love, adventure, conservation, justice – and you’ll be all right.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I run two film studios, one directing genre films and the other nature documentaries. “You either die a hero or live to become the monster” (to paraphrase Nietzsche and Harvey Dent) is a pretty good cautionary saying – unless you like monsters. I love monsters. I grew up in a mountain village in Nepal where fanged demons leered at you from temple walls, ghosts passed through your campsite gathering sticks, and you fell asleep to the howl of jackals. After that I lived in the lonely mountains of Appalachian coal country, where the monsters took other forms: dragline tractors and the callous greed of industry. We look to movies to be our real selves – to feel with an intensity that transcends social conditioning. There’s real value in that. But monsters aren’t just there to scare us – they also keep us humble. They remind us, a middle-of-the-foodchain primate that life-hacked its way to planetary supremacy, that in our deepest subconscious selves we are still prey. I keep that in mind when I direct horror movies. But I also keep it in mind when I make wildlife films. Nature and horror – they aren’t as different as it might seem. Both can be sublime, beautiful, and terrible. The only difference is who’s the predator – and who’s the prey.

It’s not an easy industry to find your path in. Graduating into a recession with no money, no contacts and no clue about the industry, finding a way ahead was a struggle. I found more initial success in documentary, and over the course of a decade traveled to 60 countries making nature, culture, and adventure films. What I did have was a great group of friends who loved genre as much as I did – so, in between our other projects, we kept shooting. I kept working on my writing and my directing, including pursuing an MFA at Columbia and directing about a dozen short films. Finally, in 2020, with the world on pause, we banded together for a first feature, which we finished and sold earlier this year. We’re working on our second one now. My philosophy is to keep making things – whatever the budget or lack thereof. It’s easy to live in abstraction when it comes to independent film, trying to hone the perfect project or partner or find money, with nothing ultimately manifesting. My philosophy is to do it first and the momentum will come.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Coffee and breakfast salad at Kos Cafe in Park Slope is hearty and delicious. Then go for a walk and check out the turtles in Prospect Park – you might not think a city is the place for wildlife, but I make wildlife films and I still get surprised by their antics. For drinks check out the coastal breweries in Red Hook or travel up to Harlem for the speakeasies. For exercise head to the Brooklyn Bouldering Project rock gym in Gowanus, or if you’re willing to travel, take the Metro North up to Breakneck Ridge – one of the best day hikes in the world. Check out Tahini on 4th street for the best falafel in town – it doesn’t look like much, but wait til you taste it. And pick up some wine at Brooklyn Barrel on your way back, affordable and a great selection. Also, if you like movies as much as I do, nothing beats the Nitehawk cinema in Park Slope. Food, beer, and homespun cult movie pre-show entertainment.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Here’s a shoutout to my Mom and Dad who weren’t afraid to let a kid grow up in the middle of nowhere and drilled with natural wonder from the start. My Grandma who showed me what strength is and my sister whose raw passion for her art compromises less than anyone I know. My friends and collaborators! Joey, who took the first big chance on me as a filmmaker. Harry, my co-writer and collaborator on almost everything, who’s the first audience for what I make and whose weird brilliance always infects it. Christian, whose complimentary talents let us make things neither of us could pull off alone. Zachary, who’s been at my side in all the best and worst battles. Fernando, who encouraged me we could shoot a film in a way that had never been done before – and pulled it off. Cale, whose collaboration has helped make a lot of dreams come true. And Ryan, for believing in us and helping us level up.

Website: danielbyers.com

Instagram: danielabyers

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-byers-4b723122/

Twitter: dbyers

Facebook: Facebook.com/danielabyers

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiMlUoh_2IfMeQ2e4-qsUeA

Image Credits
Matt Infante