I was once told that a director is the most important character in a film. He is responsible for the portrayal and unfolding of a story. He has the power to make an audience open their minds and see things from new and different perspectives. A good director is conscious of his potential ability to influence audience members to become better people. Taking the written word and placing it in a motion picture is a much more complicated process than conventional writing. One must be able to portray emotion and deal with the duality of good versus evil. Shane Drake is perhaps the epitome of a great director.

Drake's film career began in the midst on studying biology and pre-med at Westmont College. After graduating from Westmont, Drake moved to New York City where he worked with independent short film. During this time, Drake also worked as a pastor. He later moved back to Los Angeles and was able to network with the right media players and began his own film and production company, Red Van Pictures. Drake went on to receive the MTV Video of the Year Award for work with Panic at the Disco.

Lifted Magazine and Andrew Moreno recently had the opportunity to meet with Shane Drake. We talked about film, directing, and insightful comments about the meaning of life. It is always a pleasure to meet and communicate with sincere individuals like Mr. Drake.

Moreno: Shane, thanks for joining me. I'm an avid fan of your work. You're an award-winning director (MTV 2006 Video of the Year Award) with much success still yet to come. If you could put yourself into words, how would you describe your personality?

Drake: I think it is difficult to self-assess one's own personality. We often highlight the things we wish were true, and leave out the things that unfortunately are true. That being said I think I'm a great guy! Haha. Just kidding. I think that I would be fairly accurate in saying that I am pretty intense. I take my life and the contents of it, quite seriously. I can definitely be a little whacky, sometimes witty, and often times paranoid. Plus it is probably a relevant thing to note that I have a fairly obnoxious dose of OCD which pretty much gives me the qualities of a delusional mad scientist.

Moreno: I think someone has to be comfortable with themselves to give an honest description of their personality. I'm fascinated by your transformation. How did your passion for film evolve from a career as a pre-med student to an award-winning director?

Drake: I believe that the two are fairly related with regards to my natural talents and abilities. I have always possessed a unique combination of artistic talent and analytical talent. Both are relevant in the process of science and film. Science involves a lot of trouble shooting and problems solving (like film). Science can also take a great deal of concentration, focus, and attention to detail. I believe that every great filmmaker will agree that these traits are quite common in the field of cinema as well.


Moreno: I think the same can be said for great writers too. Thanks for sharing those comments. Early in your career, working with short films, did you ever question your reason? Did you have a sense of ambivalence toward the arts/entertainment arena compared to your previous stint as a pre-med student? If so, how did you overcome or deal with those feelings?

Drake: I have in every way been distracted by the media arts and entertainment my entire life. I grew up in a small town where the notion of a career in film is nothing less than a pipe dream. When I went to college I couldn't escape my desire to be in "the business" despite my sensible scholastic path towards medicine. I guess you could say that the pull was too strong, and eventually the arts won. WOOHOOO!

Moreno: It seems you don't have any regrets about your choice. You eventually found your way into directing music videos. Could you tell me more about how this actually came to be part of your life?

Drake: I originally met up with a fellow filmmaker who was already entrenched in the music video world and approached him to write a script. He saw some talent in my no-budget short films and asked me to learn film-making under his guidance in the format of music videos. Recognizing the opportunity, I jumped at the chance. Over the course of the next few years, I all but forgot about my original intentions to do features and fell deeply in love (see, intense) with the art of making music videos.

Moreno: Your passion is very visible in your work. In terms of directing, a director is a person who is self-confident and is comfortable delegating and giving orders. Does this come naturally to you or is it sometimes uncomfortable?

Drake: I am a bit of a control freak and am in many ways a slave to my dysfunctions. Coupled with my OCD, I am quite a force to be reckoned with when it comes to assuming a role of authority. I must say that this has been a challenge in my life, and I desperately yearn and strive to lead with passion, humility and excellence. That is however, quite a tough line to walk.

Moreno: As a director, you're constantly looking to put together the perfect story with the perfect cast. Tell me about the casting process. What do you look for?

Drake: I have an amazing casting director, Dustin Blackburn, whom I hire on most of my projects. He has a wealth of talent and resources that he brings to the table and has a good understanding of my interests regarding casts. I am first and foremost looking for personality. I value my working environment and take seriously the character and personality of everyone I allow on to my set, and this goes for the actors as well. I am secondly looking for the appropriate "look" for the role. And then thirdly, I am looking for someone that can take direction. You may have wonderful acting chops, but be a complete tool who doesn't listen to my input. That actor will have a short career with Red Van Pictures. But if you are open to suggestions and flexible with your abilities then we will get along swimmingly.

Moreno: You've created videos for a long list of artists already but is there any particular artist you would like to work with next?

Drake: I am excited for the opportunity to work with many different artists. I am less concerned with specific people as I am with working with people with certain characteristics. I love artists that are prepared to take risks creatively, and are genuinely in love with their craft. So for all you artists out there that fit this bill, I'm looking for you.

Moreno: Do you feel like you have found your niche with music videos, or would you consider directing feature films?

Drake: For a long period of time, I completely forgot about the desire to make features, but as of late, I have acquired a new found desire to tell a full and complete story, that doesn't have to get summed up in 3 and a half minutes. So I am definitely in the process of searching out my options in the arena of feature films.

Moreno: On a personal and professional level, what drives you?

Drake: Beauty, Excellence and Joy.

Moreno: What in this world turns you off?

Drake: Laziness, a sense of entitlement, and a lack of punctuality.

Moreno: I understand you were once a pastor. Care to share?

Drake: Yep. I was a youth pastor for a couple different churches a few years back. It was a wonderfully enriching time in my life and I loved every moment of it. I have obviously changed career paths since, but will always look on those years fondly.

Moreno: On your website (www.RedVanPictures.com) you state that Jesus Christ is one of your Heroes. Is there a particular characteristic or story about Christ which you favor?

Drake: I don't think any one single story or characteristic sums up the greatness of Jesus Christ more than his incredible act of love and compassion expressed by his becoming a man and offering his life as a sacrifice to cover the penalties of our iniquities.

Moreno: In your prayers, what do you ask God for?

Drake: Humility, and a daily awareness of the great love and mercy He has shown to such a despicable person as myself (yikes, still so intense).

Moreno: I like your sense of humor. In my opinion, self-deprecation is a lost human quality. Directors have to be keen on all aspects of life - both good and bad. How do you address/convey sadness in your videos?

Drake: With every emotion, including sadness, I find that it is essential to show them in contrast to their opposite counterpart. Without conveying darkness, light conveys little impact, without portraying depravity, hope loses its value. So, in short, I convey most emotions by juxtaposing them next to their opposite.

Moreno: Tell me five short or long-terms goals you want to accomplish?

Drake: I want to affect my viewers.
I want to grow as a person.
I want to offer final products with more and more relevant content.
I want to have a positive effect on those in my immediate environment as well as globally.
I want to be known as a genuine man who is honest about his short-comings and recognizable in his efforts towards integrity and love.


Thank you, Shane, for your time. I wish you continued success and happiness. For more information on Shane Drake please visit, www.RedVanPictures.com