Filmmaking Focus

Filmmaker Rex Piano allows the story line to dictate the style of each of his films. Being such an adaptable director has led him to create films with such diverse styles as Western, Romantic Comedy, Disaster, Thriller, and Action among others.

One has only to look at his resume to see that diversity has paid off for Piano. He has directed 10 feature-length movies and produced another four. The titles of his films include The Month of August, Found, Hope Ranch, and Faultline, just to name a few.

The Month of August, won 7 best picture awards and one best screenplay award at various film festivals in 2002. “Film festivals are a fun way to get your film seen by a lot of people,” said Piano. “You also meet other filmmakers who are going through the same struggles as yourself. The networking can be great.”

Piano started working on movies in 1979 after he attended NYU film school where he learned the basics. “I’d have to say film history and theory had the biggest impact on me,” said Piano. “But learning the basics of editing, shooting, writing, etc, were extremely helpful as well.”

Even though school gave him a solid foundation, Piano learned most of his skills while working on the set. “I started as a PA and worked my way up to ultimately producing and directing.” And what lessons did he learn? “When I was a PA working on my first film, I threw out the control arm of the dolly because I didn’t know what it was. The biggest mistake anyone can make on a set is not asking a question for something they don’t know.”

Realizing the concept for a particular film is something that Piano considers very important. In fact, he says that he has been able to produce films that have closely mirrored their original concepts. “Most of them have matched very closely. During production something always occurs that dictates changing sets or location or scenes, but overall the films meet my expectations.”

“I also try to stick very closely to the script,” said Piano. “However, if the actors can find better ways of saying a line or ‘making it their own,’ then I don’t usually object so long as it improves the story.”

Currently Piano lives in Los Angeles where he is busy at work on a film called Dangerous Isolation. He is also planning to work on another thriller this fall and a fun horror picture before the end of the year. Always one to look ahead, Piano says that he also has a few things in the works for 2007.

To learn more visit www.rexpiano.com.