The Directors: Daniel Marjan
Up-and-coming Singapore-based director Daniel Marjan strives to create cinematic work that utilises a diverse range of talent and interesting narratives - focusing on human-connection and telling authentic stories. Versatile in his filmmaking approach, ranging from comedy to dramatic documentary character films.
Name: Daniel Marjan
Location: Singapore
Repped by/in: electriclime° throughout APAC and MENA
Awards: Shots Awards Best Casting
LBB> What elements of a script sets one apart from the other and what sort of scripts get you excited to shoot them?
Daniel> The scripts that allow me to be creatively free excite me the most. Most often than not, these are the scripts with strong ideas behind them. Ideas that can be summarised in a few words. With a strong idea at the core of a script, it opens up a world of creative possibilities. I feel like nothing (within reason) is off limits to explore and adapt into the story, as long as the vision of the idea stays strong.
LBB> How do you approach creating a treatment for a spot?
Daniel> I’ve always been the type to have to write things down to form proper ideas, so the treatment faze is vital for me to understand and ideate for a brief. This process for me starts with creating the visuals for the treatment. After forming a vague idea in my head, exploring references and creating a beautiful treatment counter-intuitively is always my first step. I think of the film and the story whilst I’m doing this, and I write these words down right at the end.
LBB> If the script is for a brand that you're not familiar with/ don’t have a big affinity with or a market you're new to, how important is it for you to do research and understand that strategic and contextual side of the ad? If it’s important to you, how do you do it?
Daniel> I rely quite heavily on collaborating with my producers and the agency of the project to understand, develop and adapt the film to best fit the brand, product and market. For myself as a director, I focus on being more concerned with the creative execution as opposed to the strategic aspects of a film. Both, of course, are vitally important as a combined unit, so this form of collaboration is essential.
LBB> For you, what is the most important working relationship for a director to have with another person in making an ad? And why?
Daniel> For me, my right-hand man is always my DOP. Having a great collaborative relationship with my DOP makes all the difference in a project and bouncing ideas off one another, in pre-production and on set is one of the most enjoyable parts of the job.
Working closely with the DOP makes life on set much easier. I have collaborated several times with Singaporean filmmaker Jonan Liang on projects, such as the two films shot for Riot Games, and we have a shared trust when it comes to our approach, vision and style of the films. We are always shooting ideas back and forth to one another and these are when the best moments on our films come to life.
LBB> What type of work are you most passionate about - is there a particular genre or subject matter or style you are most drawn to?
Daniel> I love projects that are an exploration into a character or person. Building scenes and a film around expressing a personality is extremely fulfilling. For that reason, branded narrative content would have to be my favourite type of project to direct.
LBB> How do you strike the balance between being open/collaborative with the agency and brand client while also protecting the idea?
Daniel> This is always tricky, because as a director you are naturally protective of your film. With that said the process of creating a commercial is always collaborative. Knowing what to compromise on and knowing what to fight for is a constant evolution. Typically, they’ll be three main things that in my mind that are essential to make the film and I’ll fight hard for them. But with that said, filmmaking is teamwork and being open-minded is vitally important.
LBB> What are your thoughts on opening up the production world to a more diverse pool of talent? Are you open to mentoring and apprenticeships on set?
Daniel> Most definitely. I believe it’s so important to give new upcoming filmmakers the opportunity to learn and experience the industry. At electriclime° we take on a lot of interns and we always try to not box them in doing a traditional internship - most importantly it’s best they get to do what they are passionate about.
