In the dynamic world of filmmaking, Dmitriy Usov stands out with his unique blend of magical realism, science fiction, and dark fantasy. Based in Los Angeles, this Cypriot-Russian filmmaker delves deep into human relationships, desire, and deception, captivating audiences with his storytelling prowess.
With a portfolio that spans music videos, commercials, and short films, Dmitriy consistently infuses his projects with compelling narratives. As he prepares to release his highly anticipated TV film, “The Eclipse,” Dmitriy shares his creative journey, the impact of technology on filmmaking, and his belief in the power of stories to inspire hope and wonder.
Amongst projects like music videos, commercials, and short films, which one is your favorite?
All three are completely different mediums of filmmaking and serve different purposes. For me, it is all about the story. What makes any form of video inherently cinematic is its ability to tell a captivating story. That’s what it’s all about. I can’t pick which one of the three has been my favorite up to now. In all of the work I have done so far, there has been a story in one way or another. Filmmaking is like a group of muscles, and with these three mediums (music videos, commercials, short films), you are simply exercising a different muscle. What I am working towards is directing and producing TV series. Currently, we are in talks with the executives at Netflix and Warner Bros. about my TV pilot screenplay “Project Romeo.” I am really excited about the opportunity to finally move in this direction, but for now, it’s music videos, commercials, and short films.
With the rise of AI technology, many processes in the film industry are going to change. How do you think this will impact your scope of work? How does technology enable young filmmakers?
Obviously, it is scary and the change is imminent. It feels like AI is progressing at such a fast pace that you don’t know what to expect. One of my favorite quotes from Frank Herbert’s iconic novel Dune is, “Process cannot be understood by stopping it. Understanding must move with the flow of the process, must join it and flow with it.” And I completely agree. We can’t understand the change AI technology is going to have on the film industry if we observe it from the side. We must consciously interact with it and see where it is going to take us.
I definitely see AI technology as a tool that can help elevate filmmaking. I experimented with Runway Labs and Midjourney on two music videos and was very happy with the result. However, it is important to acknowledge that the nature of these particular music videos was calling for it. It is not a good tool for all projects.
It can definitely simplify a lot of processes. I frequently use AI to prepare pitching materials. I know that some producers don’t like it, but it helps me be clearer with my vision. I know for a fact that AI will never fully replace the human creative mind. So much of what we do as filmmakers comes out as unusual solutions to unusual problems. That is the beauty of filmmaking. However, I am really excited and curious to see what my generation of filmmakers will generate with the aid of AI, as long as we are respectful and ethical with it, of course.
What skills help you keep your cool and not crack under pressure while you’re on set?
I always think of the director’s position on set and what it represents for the rest of the crew. Essentially, the directors are the ship’s captains; they are the ones showing the way to the rest of the crew. If I’m not going to keep my cool, no one else will. One of the first things they taught us at film school was Murphy’s law: anything that can go wrong, will go wrong. There is so much truth in that when it comes to film production.
As a student filmmaker, I remember being on a set where the director was crying because of a minor disagreement with his cinematographer. For me, this was an example of how not to captain my ship. It felt like he had lost the respect of the rest of his crew, and the rest of the production just felt soulless and unfulfilling.
Don’t get me wrong, you do need to be incredibly supportive and help your fellow filmmakers out, but it is a tough industry and you need to have a thick skin. Thinking about others and realizing what consequences your actions can have on the process is so important.
In a world that seems to constantly face devastating events, how do you find hope in the stories you tell?
Stories are the only thing that keeps giving me hope amidst all the devastation and suffering in this world. Stories, telling them, and listening to them are what make us human, are they not?
As a child, the world around me kept changing a lot. My father was dying of cancer, my family was going through a challenging financial period, and I had to move countries constantly. What remained with me were the stories: books, films, TV shows, and comics. I found so much fascination with the worlds, characters, and narratives that were created. These stories are what keep me motivated and going today as well.
A lot of my projects explore the magical qualities of mundane life. This is what I keep coming back to and rediscovering when the world feels devastating: childlike wonder and the magic of day-to-day life. I feel like it is my mission as a director to establish this feeling in whatever type of project I am doing—commercial work, music videos, narrative pieces, etc.
Having worked with clients, how do you balance creativity with client demands in commercial work?
Some of my colleagues and friends in the film industry would argue that there are jobs that pay the bills, and there are jobs that you do for your creative cravings. I disagree. Even if it is a restrictive project for a client that does not demonstrate much of your creativity or vision, you have to find something in it. Something that is going to motivate you and help you build a personal connection to it.
I recently realized that I become very unhappy with a project if it has no personal connection to me. This is something I try to establish every time before I go on set. How is it going to better me? Can I try a particular shot or technique on this project that I have been wanting to try for a long time? While I have been directing for the past couple of years, this career is still very much a process of discovery and exploration for me. No two film sets are ever the same. I try to approach the creative process with a beginner’s mind and see everything as if for the first time.
Your upcoming TV film, “The Eclipse,” has generated quite a buzz. Can you tell us more about it?
“The Eclipse” is a project that is incredibly close to my heart. It tells the story of a widowed man who journeys into the spirit world to uncover why his beloved took her own life, only to discover that finding answers may mean he can never return. The film draws inspiration from the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice, a tale that has always fascinated me.
We aimed to explore themes of love, loss, and the lengths we go to for closure and understanding. The film is set to be released on May 31st, and we are considering premiering it on my YouTube or Vimeo channel, or possibly a larger fantasy-focused YouTube channel. I’m thrilled to share this work with audiences and hope it resonates as deeply with them as it has with me.
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