Todd Davis: Massachusetts Filmmaker to Watch

Courtesy: Todd Davis

Those who want to be filmmakers are often advised to: read, mostly short stories or novels because basically narrative films tell stories; write scripts, watch as many films as possible and these days grab a camera and shoot some footage, then learn to use the software to edit the footage. Perhaps the best way to accomplish all of this is to go to film school like mega directors Scorsese (DEPARTED), Francis Ford Coppola (THE GODFATHER PART II) or countless others. However a formal education in film isn’t always necessary. Neither Sir Ridley Scott (BLACK HAWK DOWN, 2001) nor Spielberg (SAVING PRIVATE RYAN) took any film classes.

The road to filmmaking was not the usual one for Todd Davis Massachusetts filmmaker though he states it is something he wanted to do from a very young age. He has been a life-long aficionado of films and would watch the credits roll and think about having his name “up there.” The closest he got to filmmaking in his early years was being a light man for his father, a photographer, when he went on shoots. As it often is with parents, they want to encourage their progeny to follow a path toward financial stability that might be a little less arduous than the one they traveled. And so it was he ended up at UPenn in Philadelphia where he got a degree in Electrical Engineering. Eventually he furrowed his way into a life that was as he described it “a fur-lined rut,” that was a decade in the making and while finances weren’t a problem, his creative soul was suffering. He took advantage of the 2002 economic downturn to reevaluate his direction in life, and he changed it.

He got a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degree in Film Production from Boston University as he was approaching 40. His first film IN THE TRADITION OF MY FAMILY proved that he made the right move. It is fluidly shot by Austin de Besche who director John Sayles selected as a cinematographer for the RETURN OF THE SECAUCUS 7 and LIANNA. It is seamlessly edited by Michael Berenbaum who picked up an Emmy for his work on the pilot of DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES and edited the HBO series SEX AND THE CITY among others. Todd Davis' IN THE TRADITION OF MY FAMILY is a multiple award-winning short which Mr. Davis adapted to the screen from the short story by Phil LaMarche who also penned the novel American Youth (Random House: 2007) “Stories that are interesting, that are about people who don’t do things you expect them to do whether they are comedy or drama,” are what interest Todd Davis, IN THE TRADITION OF FAMILY fills the bill perfectly. One reviewer labeled it a “Gothic family saga” It is definitely dark, dysfunctional and unpredictable as a story. The blurb only reads:

“Billy wants a better scar than the one his father gave him. A tradition of violence that goes back generations is threatened when Benjamin hesitates to indoctrinate Billy into the insanity.”

What lies ahead for Todd Davis? Like many directors, he is going through the arduous process of finding that next script. It isn’t as easy as some might think, a director has to have a feel for the story, have it inspire him or her. It may not even be a completely written out draft as many scripts are not. Perhaps it will be a person, an idea, a place or a short story that speaks to him as IN THE TRADTION OF FAMILY did. Therefore he is reading feature length scripts, looking for the next one to develop. The general consensus is that he did a spectacular job directing the last one. It is probably not the last to be heard from filmmaker Todd Davis. After all, a simple short, IN THE TRADITION OF MY FAMILY, attracted professional attention in every area of the film's production which is why it was chosen to participate in numerous festivals including one of the oldest and most presitgious, the NEW YORK FILM FESTIVAL. There are no prizes for the NYFF; only fifteen short films are selected to be screened each year. Todd Davis said "That's why it's top on my laurels list. It was a very cool experience. Went to the opening night in a tuxedo. THE QUEEN starring Helen Mirren was the opening night film. We all walked from the Lincoln Center to Tavern on the Green for a big party." IN THE TRADITION OF MY FAMILY was in excellent company at the New York Film Festival indeed. Additionally it won:

Rhode Island International Film Festival
Award: GRAND PRIZE! New England Student

Philadelphia Film Festival
Award: BEST NARRATIVE SHORT!

Killington Film Festival
Award: BEST SHORT FILM, New England

DC Independent Film Festival
Award: AUDIENCE AWARD, BEST SHORT

Redstone West Showcase
Award: FIRST PLACE!

Boston Underground Film Festival
Award: RUNNER-UP, Most Promising New

Munich International Festival of Film Schools
Nomination: PRIX INTERCULTUREL

FAIF International Film Festival
Nomination: BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR: Paul Kmiec

Award: SILVER REMI: CINEMATOGRAPHY - SHORTS