Marwan Abderrazzaq

What is your name, company name, and URL?

Marwan Abderrazzaq, Director - Waterwell Pictures, site: https://www.facebook.com/DesolateRoad

What is your specialty: filmmaking or screenwriting? If filmmaking, which aspects?

Filmmaking. Directing.

What are you currently working on?

I am actively working on a short film that I hope to shoot in the coming months as well as 2 feature scripts. One is the feature based on the Desolate Road short film and the other is a baseball themed movie based on a true story.

Who do you consider your mentor and why?

The only hero or mentor I have ever had was my father. He taught me about the true meaning of hard work and dedication and never giving up. I take everything he ever taught me and try to apply them into everything I do.

Why do you think the horror/sci-fi genres have such a large following?

Because they tap and ultimately affect the most powerful of human emotions. They tend to bring to life the things we are most afraid of and if done right, become memories that stay with us for a very long time.

What do you love most about this business?

To me it's always been two things. Story of course, but the other is memories. I have always found that memories are one of the most important things I carry with me. So many of my best memories as a child come from the films I have seen. I remember my older brother taking me to see Jaws, Raiders, Star Wars, Aliens, Field of Dreams, and Platoon amongst other films and those films have stayed with me till this day. The idea of being able to create a special memory for people is the ultimate challenge and something that's pretty special.

What do you dislike most about this business?

The lack of courtesy with follow-up, especially after a relationship has been established.

What career accomplishment are you most proud of?

I have been able to start my production company Waterwell Pictures with two of my best friends from college (Jason Masek and Bill Bant) and that we have produced some solid work so far. Doing that plus being able to manage my career in the video game industry at the same time.

Any advice you'd like to give to newbies?

Work on things you care about and stay laser focused on them. Also, don't waste your time!

Anything else you'd like to say?

Don't let the industry or people (no matter who they are) scare you. If you have a story you really want to tell, you'll figure out a way to do it. Good Luck!