Meet Alec Bonk | Feature Film Director

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

Hi Alec, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking.
I’m a big believer in doing what scares you. I try to orientate myself to the choice that makes me the most nervous because I know there is something real there that needs to be explored. True growth happens when you get out of your comfort zone.

I’ve taken some massive risks in life and have always come out the other side better because of it. When I started production on Blind Cop 2 in 2019, I had no idea it would take six years of work from that point to get it in front of audiences. We shot 75% of the film that summer, then we ran out of our crowdfunding money and the cast and crew had to all go home unsure of if the movie will ever be finished.

After that, I had 2 years of working odd jobs until I finally stumbled upon a cinematographer/editor gig that paid well at a lawyer advertisement agency. A little over one year into it, I had to leave to finish shooting the rest of Blind Cop 2. I remember feeling anxious because I had no other job lined up, but knew in my heart that this was the right choice. So I took a leap of faith and I’m so happy I did.

Not only did we end up shooting the best parts of the film, but the day after we wrapped I got a job offer and started at a much better video marketing agency. If I knew how much work it would take and how broken I would feel at times, I probably would have hesitated more instead of jumping in headfirst. But I’m happy I did jump without a parachute, because you find your true self on the way down.

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.
I’m from a small city in Upstate New York called Syracuse. Syracuse is home to long summers and some of the snowiest winters in the country. Most winters were spent warming up around the fire and watching movies with my mom, dad, and older brother. Those are some of my fondest memories.

My brother was the sports guy, so he and my dad would often go on long trips across the Northeast for hockey matches, leaving my Mom and me behind. And more often than not, we’d go to the movies.

My mom is a huge movie fan and I owe my early interest in film to her deep love for cinema. She would show me films like Robocop, The Last of the Mohicans and The Thing, when I was probably a little too young to watch stuff like that. But how can you not have movies like that seared into your brain at such an impressionable age?

As I hit my teenage years, I would borrow my dad’s point-and-shoot camera and film my own 80s action movie. Inspired by Sylvester Stallone, I shot my own Rocky montages and even tried to grow my hair out to look like Rambo. Around that time, my uncle Ron, my dad’s brother, was making low-budget shot-on-VOD horror movies. When I was about 14, I started going over to his house every week to help out and learn from him on set.

That’s where I really started learning how to make indie feature films with little to no money or crew. It really taught me that there are no excuses. One person can make cinema-quality images with enough time and patience.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
My filmmaking team was just in town in July for the Blind Cop 2 premiere, so I took them to all the best spots. First up was the Daily for lunch. They have some of the best breakfast burritos in town, and I go so often they know me and sometimes throw me a discount.

Then I always take visitors to Piedmont Park. I just love that place. There’s so much to do, and it’s a beautiful spot just to be in nature.

The last place I usually bring people is the Plaza Theatre. They play the best films in town, and there’s a great bar right next door called The Righteous Room. It’s the perfect place to grab a drink and talk about whatever crazy movie you just watched.

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?
I’d like to give a shoutout to the Plaza Theatre. It’s my favorite theater in the world and I always argue that it’s the cultural hub of Atlanta. They’ve exposed me to so many unique films that you usually wouldn’t have a chance to check out in theaters. Also, they hosted the Global Premiere of Blind Cop 2 there and I am forever grateful for that.

Website: https://blindcop2.com/

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

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alec-bonk-b82621b1/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blindcop2

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@blindcop2

Image Credits
BTS on set photos by John McKinnon and Gaston Benitez
Poster by Chris Barnes, Brutal Posters
Movie Premiere photo by Corey Grispo