Interview with Ty Hodges

Ty Hodges is an indie filmmaker with roots that stretch back to The Disney Channel. He shared the small screen alongside Shia LaBeouf in the popular tween show Even Stevens, and has had various roles in television series including Felicity, NYPD Blue and Boston Public. Most recently he's been making a name for himself as a writer/director. 

Hodges kindly answered some questions for Reel Artsy about his craft, upcoming projects and the state of black cinema.

1. Coming from an acting background, what's your approach as a director? How would you describe your filmmaking style?

I think with me being an actor and growing up in this industry I've always been fascinated with the whole big picture of what it takes to get a project done and the details. From television to film... It's one industry where all different types of people, from all different walks of life come together with their talents to work towards one common goal... It's beautiful.  When I was growing up on set, I would talk to everyone and learn about every department that makes up a production. Instead of going back into my dressing room between takes, I would just stay on set and talk to whoever. I also paid attention to the director at all times and who he would talk to. At the time I didn't have any ideas that directing will be in my deck of cards but I've always loved everything about the film making experience and this is one industry that everyone is important and valuable to a production. 

When it comes to my film making style, I think it just stems from my personality. I'm very much about detail and subtext but I pay attention to human interaction. The details. I guess you can say I love people and paying attention to what makes them special. On my sets I always encourage everyone to work as a team and lets make a great movie. To me every detail of a person and the way you communicate you are responsible. With my storytelling... I make sure that I am responsible for the story and its details.

2. Are you a fan of doing several rehearsals or do you like to limit rehearsal time and "save it" for camera? 

I like to work shop the script with actors. Not really into rehearsals. Once we get on set, lets just be present in the moment. 

Ty Hodges & Meagan Good

3. How did your creative collaboration with Meagan Good take birth? What was it that you and her connected on deeply enough to forge a camaraderie to last over the years that lead to Miles from Home and Video Girl?

Meagan and I grew up together in the business. She was on Nickelodeon and the time and I was on Disney. I respected her as an artist and I encouraged her to get into producing. At the time I wrote a script Miles From Home and the lead role Natasha I offered it to her. At the time she was starting to get type casted and knowing her as a friend I wanted to support her and let her show audiences she was more than a pretty face.

Poster - The Kid with a Bike

IMDb

Trailer - Salmon Fishing in the Yemen

Ewan McGregor, Emily Blunt and Kristin Scott Thomas star in Salmon Fishing in the Yemen.

A visionary sheik believes his passion for the peaceful pastime of salmon fishing can enrich the lives of his people, and he dreams of bringing the sport to the not so fish-friendly desert. Willing to spare no expense, he instructs his representative to turn the dream into reality, an extraordinary feat that will require the involvement of Britain's leading fisheries expert who happens to think the project both absurd and unachievable. 

It's from the screenwriter of Slumdog Millionaire so you can expect plenty of heart-warming moments.

In theaters March 9th. 

Official Site: www.fishingintheyemen.com

Trailer - Damsels in Distress

Greta Gerwig (Greenberg, No Strings Attached) stars in a comedy about "a trio of girls set out to change the male-dominated environment of the Seven Oaks college campus, and to rescue their fellow students from depression, grunge and low standards of every kind." It also features Aubrey Plaza (Parks & Recreation), Adam Brody (Jennifer's Body) and Zach Woods (The Office).

It hits theaters April 6th (NYC & L.A.).

Official Site: www.sonyclassics.com/damselsindistress

Thoughts on Valentine's Day...

In celebration of Valentine's Day we have a couple YouTube shorts from our latest Reel Artsy contributor Katherine Clark. The first video is a stop-motion romance and the second is about two sisters and their dates/non-dates.