Danny Draven
Danny Draven is an award-winning writer, director, producer and a member of the Producers Guild of America. He holds a B.A. degree in film and screenwriting from Emerson College and is also a Berklee College of Music alumni. His films have been released worldwide with great success on home video, streaming and network television. He lives and works in Hollywood, CA.
Subjects: Film and Video
Biography
Danny Draven is an award-winning writer, director and producer of genre films. After receiving his film degree from Emerson College, he moved to Hollywood and worked his way up through the ranks until he began producing and directing sci-fi/horror films for B-movie studio Full Moon Pictures (Puppet Master series, Trancers) where he cut his teeth before starting his own production company, Graven Imageworks. He has edited over 80 feature films, including films for Lionsgate, NBC Universal's Chiller TV and the SyFy Channel. He has worked with and been mentored by Hollywood veterans such as Master of Horror Stuart Gordon (Fortress, Re-Animator), legendary cinematographer Mac Ahlberg (Beverly Hills Cop 3), and executive producer Mark Ordesky (Lord of the Rings Trilogy). He is also the author of three published books on genre filmmaking, a member of the Producers Guild of America, and a dog aficionado.Education
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B.A., Emerson College, Film & Screenwriting, Boston, MA
Areas of Research / Professional Expertise
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Film Production. Directing. Producing. Writing. Story.
Books
Articles
How to Shoot: The Unexpected Jump
Published: Mar 11, 2015 by Mastering Film.com
Authors: Danny Draven
Subjects:
Film and Video
What does it look like? It’s unexpected “jump” moment or cut where the character almost gets seriously injured or killed. How’s it done? It’s done as a practical shot on the set. When should I use it? It’s best used during moments in the film where the character is off guard and vulnerable to an…
When and How to Use Reflection Scares
Published: Mar 11, 2015 by MasteringFilm.com
Authors: Danny Draven
Subjects:
Film and Video
What does it look like? It’s a shot that reveals a monster or killer in a reflective surface for the audience (not the character) to see. It also reveals the geography of the threat within the context of the shot. It could be behind, above, below or inside of something in the scene. How’s it…
The Thriller Genre - Book Sample
Published: Mar 11, 2015 by MasteringFilm.com
Authors: Danny Draven
Subjects:
Film and Video
Who doesn’t love a good thriller? It’s a popular film genre that has its own visual style and narrative elements, emotional cues, and audience expectations. In Genre Filmmaking author Danny Draven shows the aesthetic, emotional and visual techniques of popular shots and sequences in the comedy, thriller, sci-fi, horror, action, romance, and masterworks/epics genres, and…
How to Score with Your Film Score
Published: Mar 11, 2015 by MasteringFilm.com
Authors: Danny Draven
Subjects:
Film and Video
THE UNSEEN MONSTER The unseen monster in horror film music is a music cue that identifies its presence. This is a very effective mental cue for the audience and adds more dimensionality to the score. When you establish the cue, which must be early in the film, the audience will identify it with the monster…
There May Not Be Free Lunches, But There Are Free Film Locations
Published: Mar 11, 2015 by MasteringFilm.com
Authors: Danny Draven
Subjects:
Film and Video
One of the biggest money savers on an independent film is having a free location. If you were to pay a daily or hourly rate, plus insurance requirements, your budget would skyrocket. During the writing phase, write your story around as many free locations as you can to avoid costly location rentals, especially in Los…
Press Kits to Die for
Published: Mar 11, 2015 by MasteringFilm.com
Authors: Danny Draven
Subjects:
Film and Video
Press kits are promotional booklets for a film to be submitted to the festival with your entry form, or upon their request. It’s like a sales brochure promoting and informing people about your project. This can be done as a traditional hard copy press kit, or an electronic press kit (also known as an EPK),…
Photos
Videos
Published: Mar 11, 2015
Published: Mar 11, 2015
This is a behind the scenes look at the 35mm feature film GHOST MONTH, which has premiered on Chiller TV and is also available on DVD and BluRay now!
Published: Mar 11, 2015
Published: Mar 11, 2015
FULL MOON FEATURES presents REEL EVIL a DANNY DRAVEN film
Published: Mar 11, 2015
A rare behind the scenes video for the film Stuart Gordon Presents DEATHBED from 2002. Features rare on set footage of the legendary director of photography MAC AHLBERG (Re-Animator, From Beyond, House, Innocent Blood, Beverly Hills Cop 3) and Stuart Gordon. A film produced/directed by Danny Draven.
Published: Mar 11, 2015
This is the rare behind the scenes featurette for the underground horror cult classic HELL ASYLUM, from Charles Band's Full Moon Pictures.
Published: Mar 11, 2015
The rare behind the scenes video for the campy cult classic DARKWALKER! The same film inspired a Halloween Mask by the same name.
Published: Mar 11, 2015
Rare segments from William Shatner's Full Moon Fright Night, which originally aired on SyFy Channel in 2003 for 13 episodes. This segment Shatner hosts Danny Draven's Horrorvision.
Published: Mar 11, 2015
Check out the full Videozone from Danny Draven's REEL EVIL (2012). Here you'll get an introduction by Charles Band, a full behind the scenes look at REEL EVIL and a bonus section on the REEL EVIL makeup. Buy the DVD today at fullmoondirect.com or rent it.
Published: Mar 11, 2015
Danny Draven gives advice on the advantages and disadvantages of being a producer for hire. Danny is author of The Filmmaker's Book of the Dead, published by Focal Press.
Published: Mar 11, 2015
The Filmmaker's Book of the Dead: How to Make your own heart-racing horror film - by Danny Draven FULL-COLOR PRINT BOOK Available at Amazon.com!
Published: Mar 11, 2015
THE FILMMAKER'S BOOK OF THE DEAD: How to Make Your Own Heart-Racing Horror Movie, by Danny Draven. FOREWORD by CHARLES BAND.