Danny McIvor is a Director, Cinematographer, and a Writer. He is one busy fella in the industry!
We chatted with Danny recently.
As a child, did you always want to make movies and work in film and TV?
Born into a family of Writers and Artists Danny, age 12, one day came across a movie company on location in the small village of Caulfeild on Canada’s west coast, where he grew up. He watched in fascination as the magic of making a motion picture was unveiled before him.
“I sat on a small hill overlooking the set, skipping school for three days only going home at the end of the school day to check in then running back down to the set until dinner time. It was only when the school Principal called to find out if I was sick that my absence was discovered by my parents who were not pleased. But it was worth it because then and there I knew for sure what I wanted to do with my life”.
How long have you been directing?
I started Directing right out of the gate, when I began making movies as a kid. Back then I had to do it all, out of necessity- Writing, Directing, Cinematography & Editing. But when I started telling stories with a camera professionally working for CBC it was one job at a time and I concentrated on the Cinematography and Post Production. But when I left CBC and headed to South America as a Freelancer in the 1990’s I again found myself doing all three jobs, although rarely on the same project. It wasn’t until I was hired by CNN to open their South America News Bureau in Rio de Janeiro that I was once again Directing as well as Shooting and Editing- what turned out to be over 100 documentaries during my 10 year career with the network. But, my first love has always been fiction movies and I have spent the last twelve years Directing many projects, from feature films to shorts, music videos and advertising videos.
Who inspired you to pursue your goals?
My older brother Mike, upon seeing my nascent interest in making movies as a kid bought me a new state-of-the-art (for the time) Super 8mm camera. I no longer had to borrow the neighbour’s camera to make movies with the neighbourhood kids. Needless to say, I was hooked.
What challenges have you faced in the entertainment industry?
The challenge for every Indie movie maker, especially in Canada, where there is little to no government support for up and coming filmmakers, is raising money. I have attempted to raise money many different ways over the years from crowd funding to private investment to taking out personal bank loans. After 29 movies it is still very difficult to fund movie projects, not just for me but for every Indie movie Producer and Director I know.
What has been your most rewarding experience?
My most rewarding experience was the production of my feature film THE TIME BETWEEN. A project I wrote, Directed and, to save money, also acted as Cinematographer and Editor. The old saying “whatever doesn’t kill you makes you stronger” was never more pertinent than when I made this movie.
What is your favourite type of film to direct?
I have worked in many genres but it seems I have a special flair for light comedy, especially physical comedy. As a Screenwriter black comedy and satire are my favorite genres.
What market do you currently work in?
I work in Toronto one of the world’s most saturated motion picture markets as far as production and technical people go. It was saturated even when I arrived from Vancouver in the early 80’s which is why after 10 years working in television for the CBC my real goal, to make fiction movies, still seemed nothing but a dream as I found getting in and getting the experience I needed was all but impossible. This is why, when I quit CBC to go freelance with my own equipment. I packed up and moved to Rio de Janiero Brazil, a huge movie market but still in need of new blood. It was there I began to work professionally on movies, documentaries. television shows and advertising getting the experience I needed to build a career more easily when I returned to Toronto after 10 years.
Are there other areas you would like to work?
I am primarily a Director and Cinematographer and I often edit the movies I shoot. So I get work in all these jobs which I find extremely rewarding. One skill informs the other making me better at all three.
What advice would you give to someone new trying to make it in the filming industry?
No matter what you want to do in movies, from Producing to Directing to Cinematography, knowing how to edit movies is a fundamental skill that informs all those other jobs and makes location shooting much easier and more streamlined. Editing is truly the heart and soul of making movies.
What fuels your passion?
I need to be creative. And seeing a story go from script to screen is, for me, the best thing in life.
What is something about you that most people would never guess?
I’ll never tell. Besides, if I did no one would believe it.
If you were to do it all over again, would you do things exactly the same?
No. On the day I left high school I should have hopped on a bus to Los Angeles and done anything, any job to get my foot in the door of the motion picture business there. That’s the world capital of movie making and that’s where you want to be if you are in your late teens or early 20’s and serious about making this your career.
Do you have any regrets?
See the answer the last question above.
Successes that make you proud?
I grew up poor and being able to make a good living doing what I love is my proudest achievement.
Tell me about your current projects.
I have four scripts “on the launch pad” and as usual I am searching for funding. In the meantime I am shooting 4 short films in the Spring of 2018 as well doing a music video and a number of scenes for Actors through my new side business SCENE IT. My Production Company Miramac Productions also produces advertising videos. I also host a monthly networking event in Toronto for Indie movie makers and Actors which is connected to my Facebook group “THE TORONTO INDIE MOVIE SUPPORT GROUP.”
