Meet Zach Koepp | Filmmaker

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

Hi Zach, how do you think about risk?
Risk taking is one of my favorite feelings in the world. The fear, the exhilaration, and the bravery that others do not see. It requires a bravery that, even below the surface, doesn’t seem brave at all. It’s primal. It’s scary, and its reward is the greatest feeling, I believe, one can achieve.

Where I’m currently at as a writer-director simply couldn’t exist without a culmination of risks that birthed from “go big or go home.” In order to get my first movie accomplished, I leveraged everything I owned and borrowed the rest. That movie ended up being purchased by Gravitas Ventures, an Independant powerhouse that purchases 1% of all films it reviews.

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.
In 2015, I took the plunge to chase my dreams and moved to Los Angeles. I didn’t have any connections and wanted to understand the nucleus of the entertainment industry, so I began interning. After a couple years of carrying coffees at a Literary Agency and production company, I made an impression on Jeffrey Reddick, the creator of The Final Destination franchise, and began my journey as a professional writer, eventually becoming a member of the Writers Guild of America (WGA).

After recently being placed on The Hollywood Watchlist, today I’m recognized as one of the top talented filmmakers in my generational class.

I had an unconventional upbringing which garnered attention when I created a TV pilot titled “Free Ride” which is based on my life story growing up with a Lebanese immigrant mother who escaped an arranged marriage by joining the American carnival circuit.

I’ve been raised with and by creatives my entire life and I believe that reflects in my work. I’ve been writing stories since I was traveling carnival to carnival. That sort of catharsis, from such a young age, continues to evolve into an individual voice that is very original.

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 live near the pier in Santa Monica, it’s one of my favorite energies in the city. We’d start our morning there, consuming coffee and chaos before making our way to Malibu for lunch at Gladstones. Because I work in comedy and have some well-known comic friends, I’d prepare an evening at The Comedy Store and The Laugh Factory, followed by a hangout at a home or somewhere in private. I love showing my friends and family from out-of-town a “behind-the-curtain” hang.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My shoutout goes to the people of my hometown: Okoboji, Iowa. Without the support of my hometown and state, I never would’ve been able to film my first movie, The Willowbrook, in the height of COVID. The people and businesses of Okoboji rallied around the hometown kid; it was a feeling nothing short of miraculous.

Website: https://hollywoodunlocked.com/zach-koepp-is-now-on-hollywoods-watchlist-how-the-writer-director-got-the-worlds-attention-with-a-little-covid-movie/

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

Image Credits
Photo: Ashley Christine Robertson