Meet Daniel Pappas | Director/Producer/Writer

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

Hi Daniel, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
I think risk comes down to saying, “Yes I can do this” or “Here are all the reasons this won’t work out”. I have found myself on both sides of this coin. I moved to Los Angeles in 2011 after getting laid off from my job in the music industry. I wanted to start a career in the film industry as a director. The only way I could convince people I was capable was taking out a couple of credit cards to pay for a short film and a music video. Was it a risk? Yes. It took me 6 years to pay off those credit cards, but it also created opportunities that were not available to me before I did that. Now I am making a documentary about my sister and her husband who both have intellectual disabilities. When I talked to people in the industry about it they told me all the reasons why it was not economically viable. Those no’s left me with no choice, but to put in my own money again and start filming. The film is not done and I have a long ways to go, but I believe in this project. I also believe if we are able to finish the film it will lead to more opportunities. I could sit here and be worried about never seeing that money back or never being able to make the film, but I said “yes I can do this” and I have to keep going. At the moment this is a risk I had to take. I hope one day I don’t have to keep investing in myself to convince people I am capable. Until then it is the only way I see forward.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Currently, I have seen the most success from being a producer. Last year two documentaries I produced were released; Biggie: I Got A Story To Tell for Netflix and Dream Team: The Birth Of The Modern Athlete for Paramount Plus. In the midst of those films I have forged on trying direct projects. I made some commercials for the skateboard/streetwear brand, HUF, and I shifted gears to write a television show. A lot of the projects I work on are speculative, but I approach each one like it is going to happen. I am really excited about this film with my sister and her husband. They met in an adult day care program for people with intellectual disabilities and got married. We filmed the lead up to their marriage and day to day life after that. They live in a world that wasn’t built for them. They have a tremendous amount of help and support from their community. The film shines a light on what it’s like to navigate the world with intellectual disabilities and how they have become powerful, responsible, and capable. They still run into constant issues that make life for them difficult, but I think it is important to shed a light on how a community can affect change in peoples lives.

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?
When I first moved to Los Angeles I was on unemployment for a year so I had a lot of time on my hands. I got to know the city by driving all over and eating at different restaurants. When friends come to town I take them on some version of my previous journeys with new spots thrown into the mix. What I love about Los Angeles is that you can drive an extra 15 minutes and find places that people who think they “know” Los Angeles are completely surprised by. The taco tour is always an important part of this journey. It’s amazing how quickly the Mexican food scene evolves in this city. One of my recent favorites is Tacos A Cabron in East Los Angeles. They have the Tijuana style grilled steak and costilla de puerco, which you don’t find often in Los Angeles. Raffi’s or Pardis are go to’s for Persian food in Glendale. 1919 Lanzhou Beef Noodle in Temple City has an incredible dry spice noodle dish that always blows peoples minds. Otafuku is a Japanese spot in Gardena that has been around forever and always delivers. Sitting at the bar at Sushi Gen is to me the best way to experience sushi in the city. Kobee Factory in Van Nuys for Syrian food is very good and not many people I know have ever had Syrian food. Griffith Park is always good for tennis at the Vermont Canyon courts or a mild hike. Hiking in the Angeles National forest makes you feel like you really went on n adventure. Sitting at the Amaro Bar at Mozza is always fun because it is the easiest way to get a table there and the bartenders are very informative about what you are eating and drinking. Whenever guests are in town I try to take surface streets everywhere because that is the best way to get a feel for the city. There really is so much to see and explore here that I feel you are doing people a disservice if you only stay in central Los Angeles.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
When I first started in the film industry I got a job as a writer’s assistant for Becky Johnston. I didn’t really know what I was doing but every step of the way she kept telling me anyone can do this. I found that to be illuminating. The film business seemed so hard to crack into. You had to know everything about movies, story, character, production, etc. Becky really showed me that was not true. If you just work hard it can happen. The next person was my friend Nick Walker. He saw me trying to make it work as a director and started introducing me to various people. He introduced me to his friend Emmett Malloy and we have been working together for the past 10 years. Emmett is a director and mentor who has given me opportunities to grow and expand in my role as a director and producer. I met other people along the way who told me all the reasons why this wouldn’t work out. I am eternally grateful to the three of them for always having my back and pushing me forward.

Website: http://calcuttacable.com

Instagram: instagram.com/daneats

Image Credits
Jeff Henrikson Ryan Moraga Sam Sweet