Director Shaun Silva chatted about directing his new movie “Day of Reckoning,” which stars Zach Roerig, Cara Jade Myers, Billy Zane, and Scott Adkins.
On the verge of losing his wife and his job as sheriff, put-upon lawman John Dorsey (Zach Roerig) reluctantly teams up with bullish U.S. Marshall Butch Hayden (Billy Zane) to hold outlaw Emily Rusk (Cara Jade Myers) hostage.
A battle of wills ensues as Emily turns the posse on themselves, but as her marauding husband and his gang approach, Emily and John realize they will need each other to survive.
Butch is determined to go after Kyle Rusk (Scott Adkins) and Emily, especially since their gang was responsible for killing five of Hayden’s marshals.
What inspired you to direct this movie?
Right time, right script, and right people to do it with (ESX team and my own).
What was it like working with Ali Afshar and ESX Entertainment?
Ali is great and he has good people around him. They are used to doing things a certain way. I’m also used to doing things a certain and not all of it aligned but I will say that I learned from him and I’m certain he learned from me.
That’s why I love this business, we are always learning as no two gigs are ever the same.
What did this film teach you about yourself?
I have a very high standard and expect much more of myself than others do. I’m not easily satisfied and will rarely celebrate what I feel is just part of the job.
I’m not a touchdown dance guy.
What was it like working with Cara, Billy, Zach, Scott and the rest of the cast?
The cast was great, all uniquely different in their creative approach. Even with very little prep time and no table reads they each came prepared and committed to the project and characters.
How does it feel to be a director and filmmaker in the digital age? (Now with streaming, technology, and social media being so prevalent)
Well I started directing music videos in the late 90’s on actual film stock and back then people actually went to theaters to watch a new film release.
So yes, I miss those days when great effort, talent and money was dedicated to the craft of exposing negative properly to tell a story.
I also feel like I’m celebrating a special moment when independent filmmakers are less handcuffed by old tech and one dimensional distribution models of the past.
It’s harder to make a living making film today, but the ability to go tell stories with small nimble creators that work fast, efficient, and creative is exciting.
What is your advice for young and aspiring filmmakers?
Write! If I was starting over I’d focus on writing great stories.
Spend time developing characters and looking deeply into what moves people in infinite directions.
What does the word success mean to you? (My favorite question)
If you spend your work days doing what you love, that’s career success in my mind. But career success doesn’t guarantee a life of happiness. With career success comes personal sacrifice. Maybe if you’re extremely blessed you can have both, I’m trying.
What would you like to tell our readers about “Day of Reckoning”? (What’s the one thing you want them to get out of it)
For readers who know the business I think they would shocked at what we achieved for the budget and shooting schedule, just insane!
But for anyone looking for a fast pace, shoot’m up, modern day western, rooted in a Southern Outlaw culture, this is your film.
Two things the film had to have for me to do it was first, hard hitting authentic music from my Outlaw artist friends.
Second, an emotional turn that is universally appealing and inspires an audience to ask — What would I do — what could I do if given a second chance?
Am I able to change the direction of my life, and at what cost? Am I brave enough to try? Or, is my fate sealed?
Read More: “Day of Reckoning” film review
