Meet Andrew Di pardo | Filmmaker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Andrew Di pardo and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Andrew, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
Growing up in Toronto, my dad was a photographer and seeing his creative process mixed in with the music of Duran Duran inspired me to consider an artistic career.

I always enjoyed the process of making something from a scratch and seeing where it would go.

At the age of 12 I picked up the habit of writing screenplays and by the age of 16 I began making my own films to showcase my work.

10 years later I’ve created a decent body of independent films in which I wrote, acted and Directed.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Nothing is easy. At least it hasn’t been for me. The first short film I made when I was 16 sparked me to make another 25 films over the course of a decade. Each project has their own challenges, whether it would be recasting midway through a film, having to cancel a project due to timeline issues and even budget problems or just trying to keep your hours short and your team happy. The film industry is a very tough balancing act.

For instance working on indie films is much different than when I worked on the set of union films. Indie films can feel more collaborative and bigger projects can feel more structured and have a very strict formula in which they follow.

I’ve learned to stay strong and steady and focus on the job at hand and take it day by day. The film industry is a very tough field to stay in. The hours are long and tough, it’s mentally and emotionally draining. But you can’t argue with the results and quality that is released.

What would I like the world to know about me? That’s a tough one. I would like the world to know that when I’m granted the opportunity to direct, I am a very collaborative person to work with. I believe in the best idea wins concept and that the actors should have a say in what’s going on. I’ve seen it too many times where some actors are treated like props rather than humans and that’s something that is unfair. In a lot of circumstances the actor have a lot to bring to the table.

The show I’m working on now on the crew side called “ordinary Joe,” is a great example of an actor that has great ideas. Their lead, James Wolk always has something to contribute to each scene , not only from an acting standpoint but from a collaborative angle. He always has conversations with the Director on how to make the scene better and his notes often help push the story forward.

On a short film I Directed called “Decades Apart” I allowed the lead, Deborah Hahn the same freedom to speak her mind and contribute to the scene. I think as a Director that’s an important rapport to have with your actors. It’ll only make your film better for it.

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.
I am currently in Atlanta. If my friend were to visit me I’d take him or her to the Battery Area where the Atlanta Braves play. We would probably go for dinner first at one of the nearby restaurants and then catch a ball game and have a couple of drinks afterwards.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My parents, Angelo & Angela were huge inspirations on why I make films.

My frequent collaborator Gilbert Laberge and producers Brett Kanea and Helena Flaugher-Sullivan

Website: http://andrewdipardofilms.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andrew_dipardo/?hl=en

Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/DiPardoFilms/

Youtube: https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCYe99VNVHlVXD6JY42SYbfg