Right Brain: Dustin Murphy

Dustin Murphy knows how to work the business. Before moving from Southern California to Summit County earlier this year, 18-year-old Murphy got wind of the Breckenridge Film Festival, which would be happening about a week after his arrival. So he made some calls and became the personal assistant during the festival to BFF board members Lawrence David Foldes and Victoria Paige Meyerink, who are based out of Los Angeles.

The connection came in handy when Murphy's latest short film, "Repossessed," was selected as the winner of the best under 18 category at Shriekfest 2006. The sixth annual film festival includes genres of horror, thriller, sci-fi and fantasy and takes place in Los Angeles. Murphy, who entered his intellectual suspense thriller before moving to Colorado, traveled there with his family to attend, and was invited to stay with Foldes and Meyerink.

While there, the Hollywood director and producer, respectively, took Murphy to an Academy Awards Hollywood screening and, as members of the Academy committee, showed Murphy the ins and outs of the process.

Murphy first began making films at the age of 11 and said a film he made during the summer before ninth grade, called "Overnight," was the first one he was really proud of. His repertoire includes about 30 short films and one feature-length movie. He partly credits his creativity to being homeschooled and an only child.

"I was not influenced by the same things as other children ... and was forced into creating my own ways of entertaining myself," he said.

Murphy's not looking to attend film school after high school. He said much of the advise he's received, including from the film professor in attendance at the Breck Film Fest Irvin Kershner, is that you've got it or you don't. He does plan to attend Colorado Mountain College, to further his education, however. And is continuing to work on projects with Foldes and Meyerink.

Right now the film writer, director, cinematographer and editor is doing a lot of writing for a feature movie he wants to make about a teenager dealing with the persuasions of religion.

And why does he love it?

"I get to affect the world with the stories I want to convey," Murphy said.

What are your dreams/what would you like to do with your art?

I simply can't stop making films. I live, breathe and exist in my art form. At this point it would be harder for me to stop making films then it would be to try and make it in the cut-throat business of Hollywood. This was something I was born with. Many people get into movie-making because it's glamorous or because of money or because they desire fame, but I personally don't care if I'm a household name director. I just want to make my art the best I can and at least be able to make enough money to continue doing what I love. When I reach the end of my life I want to be proud of my life's work and I simply cannot exist without film as a major part of my life. I'd be going against my soul.

What is/has been your biggest challenge, and how do/did you deal with it?

The hardest thing is finding people of my own age with the same passion and dedication for my same art. As a filmmaker I'm forced to not only do the aspects of film that I love like directing, writing, producing, filming and editing, but I also have to do all the dirty work like setting up all the lights, shopping for all the props, costuming my characters, etc. I seem to always be able to find actors, but then the big issue is scheduling, because they're mostly teenagers and would rather go see a movie than create one. But I'm usually able to work around it and eventually my project does pull together even if we're only able to shoot one day a week for 15 weeks. Although, I have been fortunate to work with some great adult actors - even a member of the Screen Actors Guild as well as teachers of the art.

How do you stay fresh/motivated?

For some reason that's not hard for me. Everything inspires me. I have more ideas for movies than I have to make them. I have story concepts for dozens of films that are in various states of development. I'm constantly watching films and learning from them. I've noticed that the best films seem to jump out at me and create a desire in me to go out and write or shoot a film.

Music also inspires me a lot in my filmmaking. I have such a wide range of musical interests in every decade, from the '40's to the present.

- Leslie Brefeld