An Interview With Filmmaker Dave Zani
Dave Zani, an award-winning film Producer, Director and Writer mostly known for his works in the Sci-Fi, Horror and Comedy genre, cut his teeth in the videogame industry before making the move into filmmaking. His latest two films, Shark Babes and Scared Topless, are currently doing the VOD and DVD rounds!
Hi Dave, it’s great to meet you.
So, Shark Babes and Scared Topless aren’t so much horror films as they are sexy comedies. What inspired the tone of these first two films?
Yes! great point. This is a more comedic and sexy path for a film to follow in the “horror” genre. The tone was most certainly inspired by Roger Corman and all of the classic b-movies. Scared Topless and Shark Babes were designed to be marketed to the cable networks as erotic content, so we have to fit within the erotic framework. I made these films because it was an opportunity to make a low budget film and get it out there for people to see on Cable TV, streaming and on DVD! It was the next step in my career from working on someone else’s project to helming my own.
Which did you film first? Was one more challenging to make than the other?
Scared Topless was produced first. I would say they were equally challenging , looking back. But at the time Scared Topless was (for me) because it was the first time I was producing something.
But I bet it was a great learning experience. How did you cast?
The films were shot out in L.A. – so there are so many filmmaking related resources between casting agencies and talent bookers etc. It was easy to cast the film for just the right parts!
Did you try to get anyone, cast wise, that turned you down because of the content?
Nope! My line producer and team did a marvelous job in pulling it all together. I am so grateful for their handwork.
I think having a great team around you is really important.
Do you act yourself or have cameos in the movie?
voice act. I portrayed the side character, Mitch, in Grand Theft Auto 5. My voice makes a cameo in Shark Babes as the security guard and I will be doing some voices for my up-coming animated project I am producing.
Wow! We will have to listen out for you in Grand Theft Auto 5.
Where did you dig up all those wonderful costumes?
From a wonderful costume supplier! They were a very classic husband/wife team, old Hollywood type – been around for ages. Their warehouse was filled with everything you could ever imagine! It was like being in a cinema wonderland.
What a great resource.
Who does the artwork?
I do all the artwork! Best way to save on budget. Tip to young producers out their who aspire to make their own films: Don’t forget to learn Photoshop! you will use it in the marketing process.
Some very solid advice!
Have advancements in technology – for instance VOD – helped more films find homes?
Yes, most certainly. The ability to create and exhibit visual media is in a golden age right now. I think people having more viewing options and ways to see things. But I still do not count out physical media like DVD and Blu-Ray. I still have a great collection of films in those formats because, I think what happened with VHS (some titles not making it to DVD) will happen with VOD. I think smaller, weirder films might get lost in the switch over so I would always tell people never toss out your DVDs of movies you really love!
Yep, we agree! Hold onto your copies of DVD’s and VHS, you never know when they could come in handy. Well, thanks for speaking to us Dave, it has been a blast.
Be sure to check out ScaredTopless.com (limited edition DVD on sale now!) and follow us on Twitter and Instagram.
