Film Director Dean Midas on His Love for Horror and Filmmaking Lessons in Pzaz Interview

In this latest interview in the Pzaz video interview series, we talked to Dean Midas. Dean is a well-known and well-regarded horror film director. Dean hails from the North-East of England, and has been featured multiple times in local news and entertainment media for his role in encouraging filmmaking in his local area.

In 2014, Dean produced and acted in his first short film. After that film was well received, since then Dean has gone on to make more horror shorts that have been featured at festivals and in media around the world. He has won several awards for his work, including most recently, Darkus Magazine’s North East Film Director of the Year, and BBC Upload’s Film Master for 2023. In 2023, his latest short “The Devil’s Stone” won the audience vote at the Lift-Off Season Awards, held at Pinewood Studios.

If you’re eager to delve deeper into Dean Midas’s journey, you can watch the full interview here.

Dean Midas’s filmmaking journey exemplifies resilience, creativity, and a long-standing love of genre films. His work stands as a guiding light for aspiring filmmakers navigating the ever-changing landscape of the industry.

Dean speaks about the films that influenced him at an early age

In the interview, Dean explained how certain filmmakers had a huge influence on him at a formative age. One of these was John Carpenter, who Dean cites as a very big influence on his work. For those not familiar with John Carpenter or his work, he was and still is a very well-known and well-regarded horror and science-fiction screenwriter and director. Many of his fans feel he has crafted several iconic films that have left a lasting impact on cinema, including “Halloween”, “The Thing”, “Escape from New York” and “Big Trouble in Little China”. In Dean’s words: “if you watch my films closely, you can see there’s a lot of the same sort of shots that John uses”. Dean also referenced other seminal films in the horror genre, such as Halloween and Nightmare on Elm Street, as big influences on him, especially at a young age.

It is possible to produce films on a small budget – if you use certain techniques

During the interview, we discuss how Dean has been able to create his films with a minimal budget. In fact, one of his recent short films was particularly lauded for being produced with a budget of less than 50 English pounds. Dean is proud of this, and we discuss some of the ways that he achieves this. “Ninety-nine per cent of my films are filmed on a mobile phone”, he says. “We use plug-in microphones on a mobile phone with hand rigs and additional lighting.”

One of the things that is striking about Dean’s work is how he is able to achieve such impressive effects, using such a simple and portable setup. Another secret to his success in achieving a lot for a low budget, Dean points out, is being able to enlist volunteers to appear in the cast. “We get a lot of people who come to us – maybe up and coming actors that just want to get some experience on their CV, or just people like me who love the horror genre”, Dean explains. That must be very gratifying. “It’s a massive honour.” In this interview, it is fascinating to hear real insights from a filmmaker who is so passionate about his subject matter, but is also able to achieve such great effects with such limited means.

Every filmmaker’s motivation for creating films is unique

In the interview, we also explore with Dean what motivates him to make films in the first place. As we uncover, for Dean, it’s not solely about achieving popularity or commercial success. Dean explains that while he often has very grand ideas for his films, budget constraints sometimes limit what can be realised. However, despite this, Dean feels that seeing his vision come to life through collaboration with talented individuals over several months is immensely gratifying. As Dean explains, he never expects any of his films to reach millions of people (although it would of course be nice, he admits).

But, Dean goes on to explain, personal feedback and interactions from viewers is more rewarding than sheer popularity. This is because Dean feels as though it validates his creative efforts, and that of his team. Dean finds satisfaction in knowing that his work is being appreciated on a personal level, and the anticipation for future projects adds to this sense of fulfilment.

How Dean first began to explore the world of filmmaking

As we explore during the interview, Dean is a part-time head of marketing, and also cares for his two daughters, who are aged fourteen and nine. We discuss how as a result, it is not always easy to balance the demands of a creative career with a paid job and a busy family life.

As Dean explains, unexpectedly in 2014 his debut film gained traction, winning the Best Horror award at several film festivals. This accolade catapulted him into the spotlight, garnering praise and recognition from peers and industry insiders. While this acclaim was gratifying, Dean remained grounded, recognizing the harsh realities of the film industry, particularly for low-budget filmmakers like himself.

The financial aspect posed significant hurdles, forcing Dean to seek alternative avenues for funding, including crowdfunding and personal investments from supportive friends. These efforts were necessary to sustain his filmmaking endeavours while simultaneously balancing the demands of everyday life. Dean acknowledges the sacrifices made, often having to put his creative pursuits on hold to fulfil financial obligations.

Yet, despite the challenges, Dean’s commitment to filmmaking remained unwavering. He reminisces about the early days of his journey, where the lines between work, family, and passion blurred. Managing these priorities was no easy feat, requiring careful planning and perseverance. However, Dean found solace in the creative process, finding moments of inspiration amidst the chaos of everyday life.

What was the inspiration and initial genesis of Dean’s first film in 2014

In the interview, we look back to 2014 and explore the genesis of Dean’s filmmaking journey. This initial inspiration was found in an idea, rooted in the legend of the Chained Oak, a narrative that intrigued Dean since his youth.

“I remember the first time I stood in Alton Towers at the Hex Ride,” Deans goes on to recount. “I listened to the story and thought to myself, ‘what a great idea – this would make a great little film.” Dean continues: “That went on for a few years in my head, thinking, and at one point I even said to someone, “I just don’t know how I’m going to get this made.”

But still, the idea persisted and so eventually Dean felt he had no choice but to follow this inspiration to see where it would lead. But, of course it wasn’t always easy. As he later worked to bring the tale to life, Dean found himself having to balance between finding time for creativity and expiration, and dealing with financial constraints.

Advice for filmmakers embarking on their first shoot

We discuss what advice Dean would give to young filmmakers, or filmmakers just embarking on their first production shoot. Ultimately, it seems that Dean’s advice is to try and enjoy the process and not fixate on the end goal or results. “Enjoy the film making part,” says Dean. “Enjoy the experience, and enjoy being a part of all these people that you’re working with.”

Dean also stresses the significance of perseverance and adaptation in the face of challenges. He encouraged newcomers to immerse themselves in the world of filmmaking and to leverage available resources for promotion. Dean’s journey exemplifies the passion and dedication required to succeed in the competitive film industry.

The importance of balancing filmmaking with work and family life

We discuss how Dean in particular manages the different priorities on his time. Reflecting on his recent recognition in the local community due to the success of his films, Dean acknowledged the support of his family and friends. He recognized the significance of having a partner with different tastes and interests, believing it enriches their relationship. Despite occasional challenges in balancing filmmaking with other responsibilities, Dean appreciates the rewards of pursuing his passion.

Modern horror films that Dean admires

During our conversation, Dean discussed his cinematic influences, citing directors like Wes Craven and John Carpenter. He expressed admiration for their contributions to the horror genre and highlighted the enduring legacy of iconic characters like Ghostface. Dean praised films that blend horror with satire, finding value in their ability to engage and entertain audiences.

The role of social media in marketing films

Later in the conversation, we address social media marketing and particularly examine its usefulness for filmmakers when promoting their work. Dean credited his background in marketing for aiding in the promotion of his films. He emphasised the importance of embracing social media and finding a niche to stand out in a crowded market.

Dean’s final thoughts for filmmakers

As he looks towards the future, Dean remains optimistic, fueled by the desire to continue telling stories that resonate with audiences. While the path ahead may be daunting, Dean’s resilience and dedication serve as a testament to his unwavering commitment to his craft. With each film project, he aims to push the boundaries of storytelling while staying true to his vision, ensuring that his passion for filmmaking continues to thrive against all odds.
Where to find out more about Dean and his work

You can find out more about Dean’s filmography and his upcoming projects, at his website at https://www.deanmidasfilms.co.uk/

You can also watch many of Dean’s videos on his YouTube page at https://www.youtube.com/@DeanMidasFilms