We’re looking forward to introducing you to Spyder Dobrofsky. Check out our conversation below.
Spyder, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What do you think is misunderstood about your business?
It’s funny because, from the outside, being in the movie business as a creative always seemed like you just walk into rooms, pitch your idea, wander around set, create art, and kinda stumble your way into a career, without a care in the world. Which, definitely has those days, or years. Where was I going with this? Right… But the more movies I’ve made, the more I’ve witnessed how the importance of a gameplan, of preparation, when it comes to actually executing your vision. With every jump up in budget, comes more responsibility, and larger stories that you have to translate to a bigger crew and cast of how we’re going to pull this crazy story off. So mostly, I think it’s ironic that many creatives are quite organized people and their business of making art is an extremely structured art due to the year-plus time table it takes to make a movie in the first place.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hey. I’m Spyder. I guess if I had to say exactly what it is I do, it’s probably screenwriter, filmmaker and producer. Sometimes I just write. Sometimes I make the movie. And sometimes I make somebody else’s movie. (That explains the difference between those roles). I’ve found myself making horror movies the last few years with my company Worlds Apart, and have penned a holiday movie or several. We’re currently in post production on our most ambitious movie yet, The Weeping.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who taught you the most about work?
My two amazing parents have always found a way to make it in this crazy industry of Hollywood, working odd jobs, and finding a way to get their projects made. It’s a testament to their perseverance as well as love of storytelling. They’re a great example about how you need both. You have to work hard when you get an opportunity but you also have to love what you do, or why pursue the arts? It’s supposed to be fun and awesome. Enjoy it as much as you can, even when it’s not going as great as it should. And never give up. Unless you find something else that gives you more joy.
What’s something you changed your mind about after failing hard?
In the industry, each failure, as painful as they are, and as badly as — you wish a movie did better than it should’ve or that project that shouldn’t have fallen apart that did — you really do learn something in the process. You can’t be aware of what you learned. But give it some time and when you find yourself in another cool opportunity your approach will change. Your craft on making movies will level up. I felt every movie I ever made was the best at the time, and then the next one, I’m like wow… I really have come a long way. So I think my feelings behind failure are that it can’t be avoided. You think you can be perfect and dodge it, but you’re gonna mess up and expectations are not always going to be met, even if you give something your 110 percent. So try to not take it as the end of the world.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? How do you differentiate between fads and real foundational shifts?
I have this theory about the movie industry, and the perception of it. It seems to me, that it is always the end. The glory days are always over. You missed out. There is always some new buzzword why the movie industry is finally going to be over. Theaters are dead. Streamers destroyed. But I remember when I first started, back in 2012, pre-streamer domination, everyone was saying it was impossible to make it. They talked about the 90s as the glory days. Scripts were selling left and right. Now people talk about the last era as the glory days before it all went downhill. To me, the movie industry changing is always a fad. Not to say that foundation shifts don’t create change, but the idea that movies will fundamentally change doesn’t ring true. It’s still an industry built around people turning stories into the moving picture. Platforms change. People don’t.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What will you regret not doing?
I think the only thing I’d regret is not trying, with all my heart, at the things I want in my life. You can give something your all and it doesn’t always work out. That’s a tough one. In all parts of life. But to me, as long as I gave it my all, what else can you really do? You just trust that it’s not suppose to be, in that moment in time. But if you left everything on the table, you can never kick yourself later.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/spyderdobro
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/spyderdobro
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@SpyderDobro
Image Credits
Weeping Production LLC Credits owns photography rights.
