Starting off as an actor, Dana Abraham began taking strides in directing and writing, launching his career with the globally recognized short film, Prisoner of Fear, which has screened in film festivals in Johannesburg, South Africa; HBO’s film festival in New York City, and multiple other cities across North America, including Toronto. Through continuous writing of screenplays, Dana has established a portfolio of films under his arsenal that soon began capturing the eyes of those keen to creatively pursue filmmaking, including EL TIGRE, originally optioned by a studio. We managed to catch up with him to discuss his career and current projects.
Thank you for agreeing to catch up with Occhi Magazine. Congratulations on your career to date. How did you get into the film industry?
My journey into film, tv, and acting has been interesting…
After a pivotal trip to Egypt in January 2015- especially as I learn more about the mechanics of my mind, at a younger age- I had a chip on my shoulder, but not the right kind, one that looked at the world as an obstacle, not one full of blessings and opportunities. Having seen Egypt after the war and new leadership, I realized how fortunate I was.
I took up acting classes on March 6th. After a year of classes in Toronto, I realized my dream had to be pursued with full commitment, and I ended up packing up my car, and drove to LA, on December 31st 2015, to train at the same studio Will Smith was coaching at – Speiser Sturges- with Aaron Speiser.
After a few months, I returned to Toronto and began campaigning to be an ‘actor.’ After about a year of auditioning for roles, and doing commercials, I made my short film “Prisoner of Fear”, about mental health, and that short film opened several key doors, including the one that led me to create Red Hill Entertainment (we’ve produced 3 movies in 18 months, two during the pandemic).
I met my business partner and Co-Founder Qamar Qureshi, an MBA, CPA bearing Venture Capitalist- one of the most impressive and kindest souls I know- over lunch on December 6th, 2018 and on January 26th, 2019 in a follow-up meeting, he had told me: “My investors won’t get out of bed for a movie, but if you can package every [screenplay] you’ve written and bring me a company with a future, I can put that in front of them.”
At that juncture, Red Hill Entertainment- named after the creek in Hamilton- was born.
And… here we are, now.
Who are your industry influences?
Well, that really is also interesting- as it depends. But, I truly love Jake Gyllenhaal. More than just as a performer; I believe he’s such a tremendous role model. A person who has a high level of humility, work ethic, creativity, and moreover- most importantly- an ability to work in many levels of the industry.
He can do a studio picture, followed by an independent; he can be a lead role, followed by a supporting role. He can do a play, while still doing feature films, all while riding the subway, listening to his tunes, and blending in like any other citizen of the world. What’s not to like?
I truly would love Red Hill- my production company- to emulate Nine Stories- Jake’s production company- in many ways, although, I believe we do have our own uniqueness as well.
You were recognized for your short-film Prisoner of Fear, which screened at several film festivals. Looking back at its success, how much of an impact do you feel it had on your career trajectory and future opportunities?
I believe we should all create our own body of work. Without Prisoner of Fear, there is no Red Hill, without Red Hill, there is no Dana Abraham because there would be no, ‘Neon Lights’. I am fortunate for my trajectory but it all began with Prisoner of Fear, and I’ll always preach to everyone that we need to hold the keys to our own destiny, because, like many things in life, when it’s up to others, the possibilities are limited. When it’s up to us, the potential is infinite.
As mentioned, you are the co-founder of Red Hill Entertainment. Please tell us more about the company and the projects you produce?
Over the span of the 3 years, we’ve been incorporated, we’ve made 3 feature films, Maternal, starring Amybeth McNulty, Colm Feore, Athena Karkanis, and Megan Follows. Along with Neon Lights, and of course, A Hundred Lies.
We’re onto our 4th feature film, Black Cat, an Edgar Allan Poe adaptation of the same title, which is a 3-part film. The company employed over 500 cast, crew, extras, and staff throughout the pandemic, and millions in economic stimulus in Hamilton, Ontario- my hometown. My business partners are my family, and like many other companies, we have great days and we have more challenging days. Still, I’m truly honored and fortunate to be a part of a group of individuals that are unconditionally loving, compassionate, that care, not only for the medium of entertainment, but for all the people we employ and work with.
I owe a great deal to my Co-Founder, and I call my close friend, Qamar Qureshi, because without him, truly we wouldn’t be here. I know I wouldn’t. He’s been a mentor, a friend, a colleague, and a guiding light in the best of times, and most importantly, in the toughest of times.
Please tell us more about the upcoming feature ‘A Hundred Lies’ . You wrote the screenplay and starred alongside Rob Raco (“Riverdale”), Brandon McKnight (“The Flash”), Jessica Amlee (“Heartland”), and Stephen Tracey (The Expanse). What audiences can expect?
A Hundred Lies is a powerful story: it focuses on the volatility of Toronto’s music industry, which has housed and created some of the largest global icons that exist today. I don’t need to mention the names, as they’re chart-toppers.
Rob and I met on a zoom call on January 6, 2021 and from there we quickly came up with a plot, and story and had investors- Centurion Capital and Nicoya Ventures- ready to roll the dice on us, well before I had a screenplay prepared.
The film also stars Humberly Gonzalez and Michael Xavier, and to be honest, the performances from each of us, are resounding, coupled with the cinematography from Dmitry Lopatin and of course, the brilliant direction from Rouzbeh Heydari, topped by the score from Grammy-nominated, Juno winning, Gavin Brown- A Hundred Lies will be a film, that I believe, will deeply impact, resonate and reveal truths, that we may or may not feel is true, about the music industry, specifically in Toronto, but definitely around the world.
You are also working on an adaptation of Edgar Allan Poe’s ‘Black Cat’. Please tell us more about this project.
This is sort of funny. After auditioning for an Edgar Allan Poe-adapted series- I won’t drop names! Ha!- and not landing it, Rouzbeh and I were chatting and he told me, all of Poe’s work is public domain. Thereafter, I ordered all of his work. I read through all of them, and I landed on Black Cat. It spoke to me.
Within a few days of reading the short story, I had my own screenplay. It’s a film revolving around the generational haunting of the Paul family, originating from Bangladesh and followed to NYC.
The sequel I believe is even better than the original, but one film at a time! Our slate is to go to camera in November of 2022, and be released theatrically, Halloween 2023.
Audiences can also you in the highly anticipated thriller drama feature Neon Lights, premiering on AppleTV+ and Amazon Prime on July 12th. Besides the material you write, what attracts you to a project or role?
I love deeply, meaning materials. I have only worked on my own projects, but hoping with the release of Neon Lights, and of course, all other projects, the industry gives me further opportunities. But as the opportunities come, I’m compelled by meaningful content. Playing characters with depth, and purpose.
I don’t need to be the lead, I don’t need to be the protagonist, and I am simply drawn to characters that have a deep surge for life, death, and the meaning behind it. Ironically, it’s very similar to me as a person, and that’s what tugs me in, from the jump.
What other projects are you currently working on?
We are looking at several screenplays, both in development and under pitching; we’re looking for series format work- both limited and full length- and I’m really hopeful of getting into animation in 2023 with Red Hill Entertainment.
Where can our readers find out more about you and your projects?
They can visit redhillentertainment.ca, @redhillentertainment on instagram or they can follow me @iamdanaabraham on instagram as well.
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