5 Questions with Derrick DeBlasis and Henry Loevner
Derrick DeBlasis (left) and Henry Loevner (right)
“Barking” puts a new spin on a breakup film as a separating couple is forced to share custody of a dog. We asked co-directors, Derrick DeBlasis and Henry Loevner, how the project started, what the biggest challenge was, and what comes next for them…
1) Can you talk briefly about your background, and how you first got interested in filmmaking?
Henry: I didn’t go to film school, but I’ve been making videos since I was a kid, shooting home movies and sketches with friends. After college I started PA-ing at a little production company in China. And when I moved to LA in 2014, I found a job at BuzzFeed writing & directing short films and digital series. That’s where Derrick and I met. We didn’t really get the opportunity to collaborate there. But we had similar sensibilities and became pals!
Derrick: I also didn’t go the film school route. I always knew I wanted to be a filmmaker, though. When I was in my early 20’s I was bagging groceries at a local Trader Joes, while at night and on weekends I was making a documentary web series called Tom Explores Los Angeles with my buddy and fellow TJ’s employee Thomas Carroll. That show opened a lot of doors for me, professionally. To make a long story short - I’ve been directing and writing stuff ever since.
2) What’s the backstory here - what was the initial idea and how did it evolve from there?
Henry: Derrick and I had been looking for an opportunity to collab for a while. I pitched him this kernel of an idea about a pair of exes sharing a dog, something that friends of mine had gone through. And it just so happens that he had been through that exact experience.
Derrick: I never understood what a relatable experience that was until Henry pitched me the idea, and it was like a light bulb in my head went on.
3) What was the biggest challenge in making this film? And generally what part of the creative process do you enjoy the best, and the least?
Henry: We wanted to be as minimal (i.e. cheap) as possible. There was no script, just a loose outline. And we shot the film on an old 5d mkii with no lights or crew. The actors hid iPhones in their shirt pockets to record audio. So we had lots of flexibility to shoot whenever we were free. But obviously there are some big limitations to shooting with no lights and unreliable sound.
Derrick: Henry and I made a real effort to produce this for no money. We called in a lot of favors. The long shoot schedule was a bit rough at times, especially for a film that doesn’t even hit the 20min mark. But being on set is my happy place. Framing a shot, directing a crew, working out the beats of a scene with the actors - that’s where it’s at for me.
4) What’s a film you’ve seen recently, new or old, that you really loved and why?
Henry: Creep 2. Maybe my favorite film I saw this year. It’s hysterical. Totally stripped down to the bare essentials.
Derrick: I just got around to seeing The Favourite, and I thought it was amazing. Totally blew me away. Everything from the performances, to the production design, to the costumes, to the cinematography - fucking unreal. Yorgos is operating on another level.
5) What’s next for you?
Henry: Derrick and I are writing a micro budget feature we can shoot with friends.
Derrick: From no budget short, to micro budget feature...we’re working our way up the ladder.
Contact Info:
Instagram // Derrick DeBlasis: @djdeblasis. Henry Loevner: @hloevner