Adam Makarenko

How did you get into directing?
I started making miniatures for photography – which eventually led to stop motion animation.  I went to school at Confederation College in Thunder Bay, ON Canada for film production.

What is your most recent project?
My most recent project is a music video for Royal Wood.  I created the video in miniature, stop motion, and motion control with some live action: https://vimeo.com/60338437

What is the best part of being a director?
The best part of being a director is being abale to bring your dreams to  life, or at least try to do that.

What is the worst part of being a director?
The worst part of being a director is that there is always many unknown factors in development, writing, and visualization.  You end up juggling a lot, and trying to maintain order mostly.

What is your current career focus: commercials & branded content, TV, movies? Do you plan to specialize in a particular genre—comedy, drama, visual effects, etc.?
My immediate career focus consists of commercials, documentaries, and music videos.  Eventually I hope to make an epic narrative feature film about a bear that is capable of time travel.

Have you a mentor and if so, who is that person (or persons) and what has been the lesson learned from that mentoring which resonates most with you?
My mentor is Chris Carter—creator of X-files.  I like the stories, and the aesthetics of that show.  He is a visionary person that I look up to as a producer and story teller.

Who is your favorite director and why?
My favorite director is Ridley Scott, especially with films like Blade Runner, and Alien.  He had a great ability to bring film realism to a new level in sci-fi.

What is your favorite movie? Your favorite commercial or branded content?
My favorite movie is Alien.  My favorite commercials are those that tell a bit of a story with art mixed in.  For example the Tropicana commercial: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Krky4i6Xk8

Tell use about your background (i.e. Where did you grow up? Past jobs?)
I grew up in Atikokan, Ontario Canada – which is a very remote community in the northern Ontario.  I went to college for film production in Thunder Bay, ON, and then shortly after graduating I moved to Toronto.  I began my career with photography and then got into music videos.  I am currently making a feature documentary on a mysterious island located between Windsor, ON and Detroit MI: https://vimeo.com/60803274

Contact

michael@frankcontent.com
http://www.frankcontent.com