Q&A with producer Dwayne Jarrell

We’ve been talking with some of Hauntology’s crew to learn more about their background, their favorite films, and what makes them tick. Today we’re talking with one of our West Coast producers, Dwayne Jarrell.

Where are you from and what’s your background?

I was born in Worcester, MA, and grew up in York, PA, but neither of those places ever felt like home. I am happiest in bustling cities or the middle of nowhere, which is why I now split my time between San Francisco and Lake Tahoe. I share both homes with my husband of five years and our 18-month-old puppy.

What do you look for in a film you’d want to produce?

I was drawn to Hauntology the way I am drawn to any “genre” film — the material rises above the standard tropes of the genre to tell a compelling, resonant story with depth of character and humanistic intent. The script is just incredibly compelling and well thought out.

What filmmakers and creators do you think are really innovating in the world of film and TV?

It feels like a cliche at this point to say Vince Gilligan, but I am not sure they get any better at using innovative techniques to tell a world class character-driven story. And Jordan Peele is obviously defying all expectations of genre to make iconic films.

What are some of your favorite films (indie or mainstream)?

I used to be much more of a cinephile in my younger days, so these will be old. A Clockwork Orange and 2001: A Space Odyssey by the unmatched Stanley Kubrick. Dead Poets Society, Requiem for a Dream, A Beautiful Thing, Amelie, In The Bedroom — those are a few that had a big impact on me at the time they came out.