RECENTLY THE DIRECTOR, CO-WRITER, PRODUCER AND EDITOR OF THE ADAM BALDWIN FILM "THE KEYMAN" - DANIEL MILLICAN - WAS KIND ENOUGH TO GIVE AN INTERVIEW FOR THIS SITE ABOUT THE FILM
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THE OFFICIAL KEYMAN MAILING LIST
ADAM BALDWIN & DANIEL MILLICAN
14 FEBRUARY 2002
LEAFAN: First of all, can we start with you telling us a little about yourself.
DANIEL: I graduated from the University of Texas at Arlington with a BA in Communications with a major in radio/television and double minor in English and Drama. I also took all the film classes they had. After graduating, I worked in television and video production doing most jobs-- producer, director, writer, editor, etc. I've gripped, gaffed, acted, written and even done some make-up when I had to. In the commercial/music video/corporate industry, I received over 25 international awards, including the gold at Worldfest Houston.
For "The Keyman," I co-wrote it, directed, produced, and edited.
LEAFAN: Who (in the film biz) do you admire and who would you like to work with?
DANIEL: A lot of filmmakers in the indie world eschew the big guys (Speilberg, et al) for "selling out their art to commercialism." Well, a filmmaker is a story teller and too often we get too focused on "art." I'm not a big fan of those films. However, I do rate Indiana Jones, Star Wars, etc as my favorite films. These are the ones I want to make. So Speilberg would be the one I admire and would want to work with.
LEAFAN: What is "The Keyman" about?
DANIEL: "The Keyman" is a story about the consequences of unforgiveness-- especially not forgiving yourself. It is a story about a homeless man with a fetish for keys, searching for one he has lost, finding redemption along the way.
LEAFAN: What inspired you to write, produce and direct such a tale?
DANIEL: I wrote the story after an event that happened to me when my son Joseph was three months old. (Spoiler warning-- stop here if you don't want to know the ending). I went to the store to pick up an item, got back to my car and found Joseph still strapped to his carseat just sitting there. I had totally forgotten him. After I started breathing again, I thought "What would I do if something had happened to him? Without my faith I would go crazy... I would be a homeless man..." And I thought up the plot on the drive home.
LEAFAN: Did you have anything to do with the casting of Adam Baldwin as "The Keyman" and if so, what made you cast Adam?
DANIEL: The movie was very low budget and I was afraid I wouldn't get anyone with a name. I used a Casting Director and I selected Adam and the CD sent his agent and manager an offer sheet. They requested the script and soon after, Adam himself called me wanting to play the role. Being a father of three, he was touched by the story.
LEAFAN: Can you tell us a bit about what it was like working with Adam Baldwin and did he portray Chris Myers/Keyman as you would have hoped? Also would you like to work with Adam again if given the opportunity?
DANIEL: Adam is an incredibly good actor. I had no idea he was that good-- I hadn't really seen many of his movies before deciding on him (I had rushed out to the store and rented a bunch before making the decision). Adam offered me a lot of help and went way beyond what I think a lot of other actors would do. He had really good ideas. One in particular was that I had the Keyman mumbling throughout the movie. I had him saying ryhmes and also Milton. Adam suggested doing soley nursury ryhmes. It was a great move.
LEAFAN: There is one question I'm just itching to have an answer to...On "The Keyman" official site there is a picture of you and Adam playing chess...who won?? :o)
DANIEL: That was the first day of shooting. I admit I was nervous (first time feature director). It wasn't even close. Adam is a consumate chess player. I'm hoping for a rematch.
LEAFAN: What is the relationship for this film with Kids 'N Cars™ ?
DANIEL: Kids 'N Cars is a great organization dedicated to educating the public about the dangers vehicles present to children. Janette Fennell, the Executive Director has become a good friend. We are happy to partnership with them to help get the message out, and hopefully save childrens lives.
LEAFAN: Everytime I see a film, I walk out of the theatre and the first thing that I do is try to "sum it up" with my friends, this often creates a lasting impression which will stay with me forever. My question is - what memory would you like people to have of 'The Keyman', if they could take something with them from this film to apply to real life, what would it be?
DANIEL: To forgive. To forgive others and especially forgive yourself when a mistake is made.
LEAFAN: If in the future, you look at your career and see that the thing that you are remembered for is 'The Keyman', would you be disappointed or content?
DANIEL: Content. I did my best (for a first timer) and I also know now I can do even better on the next one.
LEAFAN: How well was the film received at the film festivals? What was the feedback like?
DANIEL: Feedback has been extremely positive. It's not really an "art film" so I haven't really gone to many festivals with it. Going in, my goal was distribution and festivals were one way of achieving that. However, as soon as I completed the picture in June of 2001, I had several distribution offers. Festivals became an after thought.
LEAFAN: I know that no official release date has been set yet, but could you give us an idea as to when you expect "The Keyman" on video/dvd?
DANIEL: Mainline Releasing is working on negotiating a domestic (US) deal right now. It will probably go straight to cable (HBO, Lifetime, etc) and then be released to video/dvd after that. Also Mainline is handling the foreign distribution. I believe they are waiting to see what kind of US deal transpires before selling the foreign markets. Hopefully, the movie will hit worldwide cable by this summer.
LEAFAN: Finally, do you have any other projects coming up, and if so, please tell us a bit about them.
DANIEL: My next movie is a thriller called "Pure Motive" that deals with vigilante justice. I am currently fundraising and hope to shoot later in 2002. I just registered www.puremotivemovie.com and have a simple one sheet there right now. I am working on the website right now.
DANIEL MILLICAN, CREATOR OF 'THE KEYMAN', I THANK YOU!
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