DYNAMIC DUOS
JO: Rely on your experience. A big part of filmmaking is lurching from one crisis to another, solving problems. I can’t remember the last time I had a bad day on Percy ; it is stressful and there’s pressure, but we always work it out. DS: When something feels off, you don’t have to go to a dark place. Jules calls me into the tent, and we talk about it. DEF: Do you have any projects in the planning phase? IT’S ABOUT TURNING UP AND WORKING with people that you love ”
JO: When I first started out, it was always about the script and the show. Now, it’s the story and the people, nose to nose. It’s about turning up and working with people that you love. They are the best in the world at what they do, and they are decent human beings. That goes for the cast as well; these kids have so much energy, and they are so keen and so professional. easier when it comes to the shorthand, it has gotten ten times harder because every season we are trying to up our game. You can’t get complacent with TV. We are making a feature with every episode. And we all got into this because we wanted to make great art, so that is where we all want to put the majority of our attention. DS: The work has gotten so ambitious. While it has gotten more energy you can put into the art. If you trust the team you have around you and you know that they are going to be giving 100% every day, it is such a good feeling. Moviemaking can get gnarly at times – but Dan has a ‘no dickheads’ policy. JO: The less you have to worry about your collaborators, the
deliver and that you can trust to handle themselves. To me, the cinematographer is the leader of the crew, so that person is the face of the show every day on-set.
DEF: What are you currently working on, and what new
challenges has it brought?
DS: We’re shooting season three of Percy Jackson . This is our eighth TV season together. I was daunted taking it on, and not just because of the fan base or the size of the project. The number one thing I was anxious about was working with children. It’s a ton of responsibility. Immediately, I was like: ‘If Jules is leading this crew, he’s making sure this is a place that’s fun, safe and where these kids can do their best work.’ I know Jules; I know the kind of father he is. I know the energy he puts out into the world. He is inspiring these kids on a day-to-day basis, let alone making a beautiful show.
DS: My goal is to keep having projects so that Jules doesn’t go
anywhere else. Don’t leave me!
JO: Maybe it’s time you came to Australia, or at least Hawai‘i. DS: Jon and I are developing a lot of different projects. While we’re hopefully keeping Percy going for more seasons, we’ve got a couple of other big pieces of IP and then some smaller stuff: passion projects in the early stages. DEF: Any last words you’d like to leave us with? JO: It’s about the person next to you, and that person’s Dan. DS: Jules has changed my life. When you find those people, you hold them tight. If you have that, you have everything.
DS: Life’s too short! I want to go to work every day and feel good
about who I’m with.
PARTNERS IN CRIME Jules and Dan (top left) joined forces on projects such as Black Sails (above) and Percy Jackson (top right)
DEF: And what do you do on the bad days?
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DEFINITIONMAGS
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