1. When and why did you decide to be a filmmaker?

I've always been interested in films since I was a young boy. I remember watching films like Star Wars & Indiana Jones and thinking to myself, "I wonder how they do all this..." I always wanted to give it a try but was afraid for some reason.

The exact moment when I decided that I was going to work on this dream was during a play that I was acting in... "Peter Pan," to be exact. I was playing the father, Mr. Darling and during practice the director and producer were trying figure out how to arrange the stage because somebody was in the way of someone's entrance. I tried to interject and gave my opinion since it was taking so long and they looked up at me and said, "When you become a director you can do that..." I simply replied "Okay..."

It was at this time I started picking up my camera and making short films... although I stayed involved with theatre which helped me understand directing and production on some level. My senior year I directed a stage version of "The Hobbit" and proved that I was capable of directing. I continued to make short films, one: because I enjoyed it, and two: because I knew the harder I worked at it the more I would learn and the better I could become.

2. What is the most helpful book you've read on filmmaking?

I never really read any books on filmmaking until I got into college at Missouri State University. I just got my money's worth out of the special features on my DVDs and took notes.

3. What are the most difficult challenges you've faced as a filmmaker?

I would have to say finding people who are as into filmmaking as you are. I've dealt with this on a few of my films. There's always at least one person who wants to make a film, but when they realize how much work it is, they get scared, quit, and leave you hanging.

Another would be just finding people you can trust. I won't go into too much detail on this, but if you don't have a group of people you can trust, it can kill a production.

4. Do you feel it's necessary to go to film school? Did you have any traditional education or training in this industry?

No, I don't think it's necessary, and I say that because you look at guys like Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino and they didn't go to film school. They just picked up a camera and kept working at it then they picked up on stuff over time. Plus they had a knack for it.

Now with that in mind, that's a hard road to travel and you can make it, but for those who are interested in filmmaking and don't know how to operate a camera, then a little schooling never hurts.

5. What are your favorite films and why?

Now this is a difficult question to answer. I would have to say number one would be, "Creature from the Black Lagoon." I don’t know why, I just really enjoy this film and am fan of old black and white horror films... Jack Arnold did an amazing job.

Others would include, "The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly," because it's simply one of the best westerns ever made, and Sergio Leone’s style has been a huge inspiration to me... so has Clint Eastwood. I would also have to say, one of my all time favorites is "Desperado," because it was the film that really got me interested in filmmaking and it's just an awesome take on the modern day western. I also love the Star Trek films, almost anything by Mel Brooks, and "Duck Soup," starring the Marx Brothers.

I also love documentaries. Some of my top favorites include, "No Direction Home: Bob Dyaln," Werner Herzog’s "Grizzly Man," "Ghosts of the Abyss," and anything by Ken Burns. I better stop here or I will go on forever.

6. Who are your favorite directors and why?

- John Carpenter -
His films are the ones that motivated me into making films. I just enjoy his storytelling style.

- Robert Rodriquez -
His film "Desperado," made me dream of becoming a filmmaker.

- Clint Eastwood -
I really look up to him simply because he has a great attitude about the filmmaking process and a demeanor on set that comes through in his films. I have great respect for this man.

- Ken Burns -
I have just recently gotten into his documentaries, but have fallen in love with his style. He tells you the whole story, he doesn't fabricate and doesn't care how long it takes to tell you the story he's trying to tell as long as he gets it across and makes it enjoyable. He has the best documentaries around in my opinion, and every time I watch one of his films, I learn something new about filmmaking.

- Sergio Leone -
He has had a huge impact on the way I like to tell a story. His westerns are a different breed and I always look to his work for inspiration.

- Tim Burton -
Well first his style is amazing. You can always tell when you're watching a Tim Burton film, whether it's the story or how things look visually, it's always an adventure. I always strive to make my films stand out from the others in some way and he's been a big inspiration with that.

7. Who are your favorite actors and why?

- Johnny Depp -
I don't care what role he plays, he plays it as if it were his last and always gives his all. I always enjoy watching him act.

- Christian Bale -
I first saw him in "Regin of Fire" and knew that he would be a big time player in films... plus now he's Batman.

8. How did you find a composer for your films and what was it like working with him or her?

I have been blessed to have a musically talented brother who has helped make the music for my last few films. He understands what I am looking for and always takes my ideas and makes them into something more amazing. I am lucky and grateful to have someone who helps me out on that side of productions.

9. How did you finance your films?

To be honest, I really don't know. This question has crossed my mind many times when I've made a film. I would have to say mostly through donations and fundraising.

10. Do you have any stories from the making of your films you'd like to share?

During the filming of "Middle of Knowhere," my actor/stuntman Jason Coatney was supposed to get hit by a truck at the end of the film. We choreographed it and were ready to get the shot, which was supposed to have the truck driving slowly, Jason jumping up on the hood, the breaks getting slammed and him pushing himself off. Then in editing we would speed the film up and make it look a little more real.

That was the plan, but my cousin, whose truck we were using, forgot to tell us that the truck was a little jumpy. The truck started out slow, but then quickly gained speed and hit Jason. He almost did a complete flip and flew back almost five feet. After the shock wore off the crew's faces, I yelled "cut!" Jason got up and asked "did we get it?" Of course my reply was, "are you okay?" He nodded and said that he was... "But if you need me to do it again." I quickly replied back, "No, no... we got it."

11. What is your most vivid memory from your filmmaking endeavors?

I would have to say the response at the premiere of my western film. It was a day full of surprises, good and bad, but an experience I will never forget.

12. What do you think is the key to working with actors?

Making them feel comfortable on set and just simply being around you as the director. You get a lot of great results when they feel comfortable.

13. What do you look for in an actor?

The want-to factor with fire in their eyes. If they are serious about it, you'll be able to tell.

14. What do you value most about your experiences thus far?

Just the whole learning process and getting to work with a lot of great people.

15. What is your highest priority as a filmmaker?

To make sure that my audience gets a good story and that they enjoy it.

16. How does it feel to finish a film and have an audience watch your work?

You're really never sure what to expect. The feeling of finishing a film is always a relief. You like it and maybe a few others do also. Then you start booking showings to see what feedback you get. It's at times like this that you learn things that others are seeing that you never thought of. Now whether it's good or bad, you just take it like it is and apply it to your next film. It's always a learning process and that's always fun, plus it makes you better.

17. What did you learn from your first feature that you applied to your second?

I learned how to structure a story on film. I learned this during my western and applied it to my documentary.

18. As far as filmmaking, what do you think Missouri offers that other places don't?

Missouri is such a beautiful place to make films. The landscapes, the small towns, the cities, and the people who work on films in this area make it special. I think that Missouri offers simply two things when it comes to filmmaking, and that's a love of filmmaking and experience. Just look at the production directory on the Missouri Film Commission website and you'll see what I mean.

19. Do you think it's important to make some short films before tackling a feature? Why or why not?

For me it was. It taught me how to structure a film and started wrapping my brain around the production process.

20. Why did you select The Money Maker as your first feature?

I had been making short horror films throughout high school and I wanted to do something different. Plus, I wanted to learn a lot more at one time, so I had the premise for the film, which I wrote back in high school. I started writing it my freshmen year of college and loved it. Plus it was going to be a challenge and I enjoy a good challenge. That's simply why I did it, plus I love westerns.

21. Why did you decide to make a documentary as your second feature?

I had wanted to tell a story since I was in 4th grade about my dad's high school basketball team. I originally wanted to make it into a film but decided that it would make an even better documentary. Plus, I really enjoyed documentaries and I had never made one so it was a challenge and that motivated me to make it.

22. What have you learned about the business side of filmmaking?

Making the film is only 50% of the filmmaking process.

23. What is the most important piece of advice you'd give an aspiring filmmaker?