Meet Spyder Dobrofsky

We recently connected with Spyder Dobrofsky and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Spyder, thank you so much for opening up with us about some important, but sometimes personal topics. One that really matters to us is overcoming Imposter Syndrome because we’ve seen how so many people are held back in life because of this and so we’d really appreciate hearing about how you overcame Imposter Syndrome.

I wanted to chat imposter syndrome today. It’s a term that’s thrown out a lot. Especially in the arts. And in the movie industry. Often your role models, and the people who got you into making movies, or acting, or whatever pursuit, seem to be so naturally talented. Effortless. But I’ve found that, if you’re lucky enough to meet them, there’s been a lot of lessons, ten thousand hours of hard work, and craft developed that has given them their confidence.

So if you feel like an imposter; that’s good. It means you’re trying something out of your comfort zone. Directing my first horror film was so far out of my comfort zone. I wrote holiday flicks for the last decade. And some horror on the side. But you never feel ready. I wasn’t some guy designing haunted houses as a kid. Or making movies. Just prank videos (throwing smoke bombs in neighbors yards, and filming cars). I always thought you had to be born wanting to be a director like Steven Spielberg. I didn’t know what I wanted to do when I went to college. I actually recall declaring film because it seemed easy. LOL. It wasn’t. I kind of was like the anti film crowd guy. I wanted to party and not write papers, and I had this teacher (Alison Anders, a prolific director) who gave us an option to make a film rather than write a paper of the final. I hopped on it because it seemed easier. And I actually had a good time making a punk rock film called Dangerously Punk, and realized, on accident, I had some talent. Setting up cameras and angles and movement through the lens sort of was like second nature for me. And suddenly, the film was done — she gave me an A+ and told me aside it was quite good. I liked the attention. And figured I’d keep doing it because why not?

So I still feel like an imposter. When people call me a writer. I’m like no. I’m a dude who likes to surf who can write scripts fast. And I have a knack for ideas. I would say the best way to deal with imposter syndrome, after that long-winded tangent, is to just do. DO the thing that is calling your heart. Or getting you excited about.

I really wanted to make a feature film. And the script that was calling me at the time was Down Below. I knew it was ambitious and in a way, very risky to make as a first time director. It would require an incredible cast of actors. (At the time, I didn’t really know anyone. And by a series of miracles, Eric Roberts, Bai Ling, Doug Jones and Alexis Knapp all ended up in it. And Christopher Livingston from Mindhunter. I threw Hail Marys trying to get people to read my script. Not only did they respond to it, but they trusted me as a director. I didn’t have a track record. I had my passion. And I tried to get lost in the process. I tried not to think too much about if I was an imposter or not. Just keep going. Keep making. Keep shooting. Keep editing. And suddenly, it was over. We had pulled it off and Gravitas Ventures loved the film. Then suddenly, we’re distributed and coming out on October 1st.

The moral of the story: we are all imposters. Some imposters just go for it anyway.

Yes, I did just make that quote up.

Keep after it, artists.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

Professionally, I’ve been hyper focused on my first film! It’s called Down Below. It comes out October 1st in North America. Here’s the story, for any horror lovers–

On the 20th anniversary of the gruesome Christmas Eve murders at St. Agnes church, a demonic preacher returns to haunt that same town’s residents.

It’s a film I’m super proud of. Because of how much energy, blood, sweat and tears I put into it. I also got a chance to work with Oscar Nom Eric Roberts. Bai Ling from The Crow and my favorite episode of Entourage. And also Dougie aka Doug Jones, who’s a legendary actor known for playing every great monster in every film. Like The Shape of Water. He plays a human in our film, and shows his face, and another side of his acting. He’s a tremendous force on camera.

Basically, I’m going through the director phase of my career now. It’s fun!

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

First, and foremost, make sure you have the passion for it. There’s so much unpaid work, so much time demanded, so much energy, rejection, heartbreak, and wild rollercoaster opportunities, that you have to be driven by something that’s long term. Joy is long term. Passion is long term. Trying to get rich quick or famous, isn’t a great motivator. At least not for me. I sold a movie out of college, then couldn’t get arrested for a few years. I had to deliver food to pay the rent.

The reason I kept writing is because I really liked writing. I had many scripts that I was genuinely excited about getting onto paper. Nothing else. And when the motivation died on writing, I found new motivation with making movies.

Follow the passion, follow the creative juices. They’ll lead you down the right path.

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?

I get asked this a lot. And the truth is, if I see a great script that’s not mine. I will fight for it. I would love to direct other writer’s material. I would also love to put their projects together as a producer. It is all about timing, and the right project. And also what I can do at that time. I think that getting some momentum on your own script is very helpful. I got talent attached to my scripts over the years on my own. Or some initial funding. Or a producer to pass it along. Momentum and temperature go a long way in this town we call Hollywood.

For where I’m at, I like scripts that are exciting and also contained. Not like claustrophobic contained. But not requiring fireworks, explosions, and 50 locations around the globe like a James Bond film. Horror interests me a lot right now. But so does action. I think making movies for a marketplace is fun. It also means you’re not a Koi Fish trying to jump upriver. But sometimes you gotta be that Koi fish.

Koi Fish? Yes. There is some tale I heard the other night, an old legend, that a school of Koi Fish in the Yellow River in China, tried to swim up river, and make their way up a waterfall. An impossible feat. 99 percent gave up. Except for one Koi. That Koi overcame demons and did the impossible. And the gods rewarded that Koi Fish by turning him into a dragon.

I love that story.

Be the outlier. Do the impossible.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Poster by Luke Headland

Suggest a Story: BoldJourney is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems,
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
Highlighter Series
Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?

Culture, economic circumstances, family traditions, local customs and more can often influence us more than

Highlighter Series
Is the public version of you the real you?

We all think we’re being real—whether in public or in private—but the deeper challenge is

Highlighter Series
What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?

Every industry has its myths—stories insiders repeat until they sound like truth. But behind the