Whether you are new to the entertainment biz or have been around for a while, you have got to read Brian's tips!
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Brian Dragonuk is Interviewed by a College student
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 Posted 1:56 AM Aug. 2, 2011
1). What made you go into film or video production?
I Started an Acting Career Very late in life (Age 47). After Several years as a Full time Actor/Model Several Production Jobs came my way, I jumped on them to extend my Value to Potential Employers and Create possible new income streams.
On West Wing I was working as an Extra with 3 days Booked, was On Set the 1st night and Received a phone call from Casting Asking If I wanted to work on the Production Crew as a Casting PA/Wrangler for the Next 2 days instead of as an Extra - I Accepted the Casting PA position. This led to being a Casting PA on 2 additional Episodes of West Wing and on the Sets of Feature Films Breach & Step-Up.
I was Hosting a Talk/Interview Show for a local Production Company and discussed with them an Idea about a few Shows I wanted to produce. They liked my Ideas and Let me Produce (and Host) those shows for them- That led me to Producing 12 Shows and 2 Pilots.
2. How many years have you been doing film or video?
I Started in August of 1999 so I'm in my 11 th Year But I did not go Full time until 2000.
3. What school did you attend?
None - I was a below average High School Student and Managing a Fast Food Restaurant. After Graduation Work was all that was on my mind, I Never went back to School/College except to Teach.
4. Who were some of your earlier influences?
My 1st movie set was as an Extra in "The Replacements". On set I spent a lot of time around Gene Hackman. Since it was my 1st project ever EVERYTHING was new to me and intriguing as well. Whenever Allan Graf (Former Pro Football player and 2nd Unit Director for the Football scenes) yelled "CUT" Hackman ran for "Video Village" to watch the replay and talk about "Changes to Improve the Scene" with Graf. Now this was August/September/October 1999 but I remember each time being the same - They would watch the clip together, Hackman would then talk about what he liked- Didn't like and the changes he would like to make, Graf listened. Then both would be talking - discussing the Scene, Hackman's Thoughts and Graf's Vision for the Scene. Then I would notice that Graf was doing all the talking - with Hackman listening. A Time to talk, a time to discuss and a time to listen to what you were going to do. Two incredible Professionals working towards a common goal. What struck me as odd in this was that neither man needed to be Loud or Authoritative - Each respected the other - Each had their say, But Hackman never lost sight of the fact that EVERYTHING was Graf's decision.
I was also impressed with the fact that I stood about 5-10 Feet from Hackman and Graf (They even nodded to me several times) and I was never asked to leave - No other "Extras" were there.
My 2nd Production (October 1999) was the opening scenes of John Waters, Cecil B. DeMented Filmed at Baltimore's Senator Theatre. Working that Scene on Waters Set IS what made me Decide "This was the Industry for me". Watching the Video Replay of what Waters camera "Saw" VS what I "Saw" standing in the Theatre. Crumpled Orange Cellophane being blown by a small fan in front of a light creating a Flickering Image around the room, a huge gas "Stove' (about 12 ft X 12 FT and 9-10 Inches high) shooting flames in the air, A Flaming bottle flying through the air - landing in a trash can full of water, 2 wooden flower boxes (about 4 Ft high X 4 Ft wide x 2 ft deep) Exploding up on stage, Gunfire, Kidnapping, Terror and we only shot 2 minutes of Film. What an Industry
Working those 2 sets and with those men taught me a lot about the industry and the Work ethics needed to succeed.
5. What type of projects do you do?
I do a bit of everything - As an Actor I've been a Drunk, loud abusive fan at a stadium, a Hero on 9/11, an Overweight, Old Indiana Jones saving the world from a Space Alien Invasion, The Specter of Death, A Fireman, Policeman, Detective, Parole Officer & much , much more.
The 3 movie scripts I have developed are a Children's/Family Drama, A Courtroom Drama, and a Romantic Chick Flick Written as an Action Picture.
6. What are some things that keep you focused in the field during adversity?
I'm my own worst critic, and a Perfectionist. Just doing the best job I can keeps me focused.
7. Do you have your own unique style?
Not really- I have to bring my interpretation into my performance but I also have to keep to the Directors vision as well.
8. If you didn't pick Video or Film as a field, what field do you think you would have go in?
As I said earlier - I started THIS CAREER at age 47 so this isn't my 1st field. I started out as a Child - and many believe I have never left that position.
There has always been vast difference between my "Job Description" and the work I did. My 1st Career was in "Restaurant Management" Starting at McDonalds, Burger King, Hardees's and Ponderosa Steak Houses. After 6 Months at Hardees's, My job was going into Underperforming Sites Cleaning them up, Replacing Broken Equipment, Retraining/Replacing staff and turning a Money loser into a Profit Center.
After 6 Months at Ponderosa it was going to a dirt lot and leaving an open Restaurant.
My 2nd real Career was 25 years as Vice President - Marketing for 3 different Insurance Groups. My "Marketing Career" included Designing new Insurance Programs, Writing Policy Terms, Creating Underwriting Rules, Setting Rates, Making rate Filings with State Insurance Departments, And Then Marketing the Programs to Agents.
My 3rd Career was in the Art Department of a Book & Greeting card Publisher
Now I'm a Full time Actor, Model, T V Show Host, Radio Personality, Casting PA, Casting Director, Producer, Scriptwriter, Author and Owner of the Mid-Atlantic Regions Largest Actor/Model? Freelance Production Crew Database (www.DragonukConnects.com).
9. Do you encourage new filmmakers to stay in this area or relocate?
I tell them to follow their Heart. LA & NYC are the US Mega Centers - That’s why the other 500,000 Filmmakers are there. 1 Break and you are Set - Until your next project. There are many things Filmmakers can do locally and make a Great Living doing them, but they are Not Transformers, Star Wars, ETC
So do you want to be a Minnow in the Ocean or a Whale in the Pond? You need to figure that out on your own and Follow your Dreams.
10. What is some advice you would give student going into this field?
PAY ATTENTION - This is the Dream Industry and there are people out there that are EXPERTS in telling you your Dream while bleeding you dry. I'm not just talking about money, but your Creative Juices, Integrity, your Very being.
TAKE YOUR TIME even those OVERNIGHT SUCCESSES took years to be an overnight success.
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