Filmmaker and military veteran Dario M. Harris, Sr. chatted with Digital Journal’s Markos Papadatos about his Daytime Emmy win for “The Girl in Apartment 15,” and the digital age.
“The Girl in Apartment 15” won the Emmy for “Outstanding Daytime Fiction Program,” and it made history doing so. “I honestly thought it was a ‘La La Land’ and ‘Moonlight’ moment at the Oscars,” he said. “I was just waiting for a correction to be made. It didn’t really hit me until I started receiving emails about being accepted into the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences and ordering my statue.”
“When my Emmy showed up at the front door a few weeks later I let out a deep sigh of relief. Seven black men won an Emmy for ‘Outstanding Daytime Fiction Program’ and that’s a special moment in history! It’s certainly something to be celebrated. Some people feel accomplished and tend to slow down after such a huge feat. I feel more recognized than accomplished and I just want to continue delivering stellar films,” he said.
He was drawn to this film for many reasons. “The development is what I loved most about this particular project,” he said. “To watch a good friend develop as a writer right before your eyes is exciting and gratifying. In 2018 I was encouraging Marquez to become a writer. We spent countless hours at different Starbucks and Panera Bread working on a feature script I was writing at the time. He was adamant about the craft and took notes every chance he could.”
“Marquez moved to L.A. in 2019, and wrote ‘The Girl In Apartment 15’ at the beginning of 2020, flew back to Atlanta, and we sat at my kitchen table for hours going over the script. He leaves, teams up with our talented production team back L.A., the film goes into production in the midst of a pandemic, and here we are Emmy Award-winning filmmakers,” he said.
On his daily motivations as a filmmaker, he said, “Film and music are two of the most influential mediums in the world. What’s a classic album without a storyline? What’s a classic movie without great music that intensifies particular scenes? Having the ability to create projects that provoke discussion is what motivates me as a filmmaker. I get to defy stereotypes. I get to teach and entertain you.”
Regarding his plans for the future, he said, “I’m diligently working towards being the first military veteran to win an EGOT Award. Now that I have an Emmy, I don’t think a Grammy, Oscar, and Tony award is far-fetched. I believe my next project ‘Ahmad’ will get me to the Academy Awards. I’m speaking it into existence. After ‘Ahmad’ is complete I’m working on a feature script titled ‘A Sister’s Revenge’ which is the book that inspired ‘Ahmad’. I’m also developing a feature titled ’13 Folds’ which is an intriguing soldiers’ tale.”
The digital age
On being a filmmaker in the digital age, he said, “It’s really a gold mine with the massive growth in technology. As a filmmaker, if you have well-written stories and quality visuals, all you need is wifi to build your audience.”
“Look at someone like Issa Rae who started shooting her first episodes of ‘Awkward’ with an iPhone and uploading them to YouTube. Now she’s on season five of her HBO show ‘Insecure’ and has built a massive television and film empire. While the digital age of streaming has its many pros for creators like myself, I think having the option to go to the theater or stream my favorite films and t.v. shows from the comfort of my home is amazing. I’m equally a fan of both,” he said.
For young and aspiring filmmakers he said, “My advice to them is to do as much as they can on their own. Don’t wait for opportunities. Create them yourself. Write your story, use the resources within your reach, build your team, shoot your projects, submit to film festivals, and network.”
On his definition of success, he shared, “I define my success by the lives I impact for the better. I don’t consider myself successful unless my loved ones are well taken care of. My legacy and what I leave behind for my family are important to me. But my contributions to film and music are just as important to me. I hope my work serves as a beacon of inspiration. People tend to forget your accolades over time, but they’ll never forget how you made them feel.”
He remarked about “The Girl in Apartment 15,” “First, I want readers to ask themselves, are they socially accountable? Are you a part of the problem or solution? Twenty people per minute are physically abused by their partner in the United States. I witnessed domestic violence in my home and in my community. That’s why ‘The Girl in Apartment 15’ means so much to me. Here are a few ways you can help someone you think may be in an abusive relationship.”
“Set up a time to talk, let him or her know you’re concerned about their safety, let them know that the abuse is not their fault, offer to call an advocacy program for them, be their support them, whatever they decide,” he said.
“Lastly, look where a great story, important topic, great production team, and a $3,000 budget got us. Nothing is impossible. Just for it,” he exclaimed.
To learn more about Dario M. Harris, Sr. follow him on Instagram, and check out his IMDb page.
