Today we’d like to introduce you to Joe DeBartolo.
Joe, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
A love of movies and the feeling that I could make my own got me started back in 1969. I always believed one should create using whatever was available. I started at the age of 15 using family and friends. Transitioning from 8mm to Super 8 to 16mm to Super 8 sound to video in 1980. A number of my films won awards in high school film festivals. Through the years the equipment improved and so did the product. From 1969 to 1986 I shot 200 movies and videos. Short films, features and even a few documentaries. The main thing is to create and have fun!
Outside of my own films, I have acted and crewed for other production companies. I even did some extra work in the 1980’s. I feel working on a set as an extra one can learn a lot. You get to see the crew hierarchy and learn the aspect of each job.
Reality of responsibilities; a real job, a wife, kids, mortgage caused a 20 year hiatus in my film work. If you check out my IMDb page, I have no credits from 1990 to 2010. So I got back into doing extra work in 2010 (Shameless, Chicago Code, Boss) and through that started meeting the new breed of independent film makers. This led me to acting in Indie films.
I love the freedom of working for others in a wide range of roles and have become a prolific character actor. I have worked for some of the best directors in the Chicago area Indie world. I have been the lead in a number of short films and the feature, ‘Cellar Secret’ (Faux Pas Films) in 2016. That was my first starring role in a feature since 1986’s ‘Beyond the Edge’ (DBAR Films).
I am no longer able to take on physical parts and only commit to roles I can handle. This has not slowed me down though. I will continue to act in films as long as I am wanted or it starts to feel like a job.
Create and have fun!!!
The last few year I have become (but not exclusively) part of the Horror Genre. Horror films have a huge audience and are fun to make.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Initially it was the equipment and lack of commitment of cast and crew. The main thing throughout though was balancing a real life (school, jobs, wife, kids, etc.) with the world of make believe.
As I said. I took a 20 year hiatus from film work to deal with real life (as opposed to reel life).
Now there seems to be a resurgence in lack of commitment again. Questionable professionalism. People booked (and getting paid) dropping out sometimes the day of a shoot! Most frustrating. It helps to have a large pool of people to choose from for replacements but damn it’s frustrating.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about DBAR Film Productions 1969-1986 – what should we know?
Well, my company DBAR Film Productions really ended in 1986. It did help in lasts years’ film, ‘Hematic Web’. Finding me wearing a number hats besides actor (writer, assistant director, producer).
From 1969 through 1986 I did everything: Director, writer, editor, actor, camera, lighting, sound, make up.
I am most proud of a few of the films DBAR Films made including; Rubber Soul 1978, Star Stuff 1981, Plungerhead 1983 and Beyond the Edge 1986. I am proud that we produced films when no one else was.
For myself, I am proud that I have been recognized by my peers as a capable actor and continue to get offered roles. (Presently filming two films this month).
What sets me apart is a willingness to do whatever it takes to get the job done right.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
A love of film and the process of film making. All the hard work is worth it when you see the finished product. Remember to have fun doing it.
Contact Info:
- Email: jvd2001@sbcglobal.net
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joe.debartolo.5
Image Credit:
Steve Wilczynski, Anthony Cooney, Lynn Lowry, Derek Braasch, Michael Wade Johnson, Benjamin Capps, Joseph Wiseman, Jon Polito, Anthony Dennison
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