Danny Mcshane - interview

One of Brisbane’s fastest rising stars in the film making industry, Danny McShane splits his time working for the esteemed JMC academy and tirelessly creating award winning movies.

It’s been an intense year for Danny, starting with the screening of his film “You Might Want to Sit Down for This” at the 2010 Dungog Film Festival, and his successful ad campaign appearing at every Birch Carroll & Coyle across Australia. While these events greatly assisted his rapid rise as a film maker, it’s his latest film “As If That Would Happen in Real Life” which he most enjoyed making.

“We entered that film for The Regent Film Festival, for its closing, and it won. That was probably my proudest moment,” Danny explained. “I used to work at the Regent as an usher, and it was my favourite cinema in Queensland. I felt really disappointed when they closed, so it was a big deal for me to win with my film, which had a bit of a go at the developers that were knocking it down. It was a good feeling to be involved with the way the Regent went out.”

Danny is also currently a lecturer and technical assistant at the JMC academy. The JMC, among other things, is one of the leading institutions educating students in the art of television and film. Hopeful filmmakers learn the fundamental skills of the movie industry, from producing to cinematography. Danny is involved with several aspects of the move making process, mastering the skills of both scriptwriter and director. “The writing is usually in your room alone. You can write a million dollar chase sequence – there’s no limit to what you can write,” Danny explains. “The best part about directing is the team aspect of it - the element of working with a crew. When you actually go to make it, you have to deal with the time and money you’ve got available to you. Directing and scriptwriting is like working with two conflicting parts, which can work very well together.”

But Danny admits he still has a long way to go in the film industry. Cracking into the mainstream movie business requires equal amounts expertise and luck. “It comes down to making that one amazing short film, that the right person sees, and gets into all the festivals, and gets people to notice that film maker has what it takes.”