Exclusive Interview: Danny Hitt (Daylight To Dark)

Exclusive Interview: Danny Hitt (Daylight To Dark)

What was the first film that you saw that made you want to get into filmmaking?

Growing up, for as long as I can remember EVERY movie or TV show that I really enjoyed made me want to be a part of entertainment. If I had to narrow it down to one film, I’d definitely say The Wizard Of Oz (1939) had a tremendous impact on me, and my motivation to get into filmmaking. To this day, when I watch The Wizard Of Oz (1939) I just feel electrified by the amount of creativity and pure entertainment that film embodies.

Are there any actors you aspired to be like growing up?

I can’t say I really aspired to be like any one particular actor, but I am influenced by many. I’m particularly drawn to actors that are versatile, like Robin Williams. What a brilliant talent he was. I always believed him in whatever role he was in. That’s real talent. So inspiring!

You are currently working on the vampire film DAYLIGHT TO DARK (Directed by Jake C. Young and Co-Directed by Kenny Scott Guffey). What can you tell us about the story and your character Bogie’s involvement in the story, without giving any spoilers?

Daylight To Dark is about a brother and sister who are on a road trip together heading to a music festival. Along the way a shortcut gets them lost in a nearly-deserted town with some strange occurrences and a growing number of missing residents. I play Professor Bogie Bogenheimer. A sort of “Jack of all trades” in the supernatural, occult and paranormal world who runs a social media channel that one of the lead characters, Mason, comes across while online seeking advice about vampires.

DAYLIGHT TO DARK is of course not the first time you have been in a vampire film, that would of course be AN AMERICAN VAMPIRE STORY (1997), where coincidentally your character is also called Bogie? So is the character the same person or as mentioned purely a coincidence?

No, there is no coincidence and is actually 100% intentional. I portrayed Bogie in An American Vampire Story (Later redistributed as American Vampire) over 25 years ago. When writer Rollin Jarrett (Also the writer of American Vampire) and Co-Director Kenny Scott Guffey reached out to me and told me about their film I knew I had to be involved. Though Daylight To Dark is not a sequel to American Vampire, it does take place in the same world, and is just 25+ years later. Bogie is still around and now taken on the crusade of chasing down vampires and other paranormal trouble makers. I couldn’t pass up this opportunity to portray the same character all these years later in a completely different film. In the acting world this is definitely a rarity and very unique opportunity. Thank you Kenny, Jake and Rollin!

Why do you think filmmakers enjoy doing vampire movies? Is it the romance of a character such as Dracula or the mythos of vampire culture, or something else?

What a great question. And I think you nailed it, it’s all of those reasons and more. There’s just something about a vampire movie that elevates us to a realm of fantasy we don’t often experience. There’s so many facets to a vampire that intrigues us “mortals”…I mean eternal life is a mind blowing concept, and to dance around that idea in every new incarnation of vampire stories is what keeps us coming back for more. I guess? Lol Plus, Dracula just always looks cool. Even the bad ones. Lol

I would be remiss if I did not mention your time working on the TV series TREMORS (2003). What was your experience working on the show and did you get a chance to take on any Graboids?

Working on Tremors was an absolute blast! It was such a fun show, and I loved how the creators were able to weave the film series and TV series together. I didn’t get to take on any Graboids, but I did get taken out…melted by acid actually, by a hybrid alien type plant, created by Mixmaster. The special effects makeup for the scene where my flesh melts off was amazing! By far the coolest special effects makeup experience I’ve had so far.

Had you seen any of the previous three TREMORS movies prior to working on the TV series?

I saw the first two…still planning to get to the rest of them soon! Lol The first one I’ve seen more times than I can count. What a fun film it was, and Kevin Bacon is ALWAYS solid and fun to watch. I feel like I need to watch the first one again now that we’re talking about it. Lol

Since the show, have you kept up with the franchise which now consists of 7 films plus the TV series you starred in?

Wow, I guess I’d have to say I have some catching up to do. LOL I didn’t realize they had gotten up to 7, how awesome!! Now you got me curious, and I just asked my best friend “Google” about the film series. I am very pleased to see that the most recent film was released in 2020. You’ve got me re-excited to see the ones I’ve missed. Thank you Peter!

What are your top 3 vampire movies of all time from any decade?

Yikes, this one is SO TOUGH! The three that immediately come to mind from watching them so much are The Lost Boys (1987), Fright Night (1985) and a tie between Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992) and What We Do In The Shadows (2014). You know, seeing my list makes me think about your previous question, “Why do people keep making vampire movies?”, and I think another big reason is because, like a really amazingly written song, Vampires are great however you present them. Scary, romantic or funny, Vampires are just a form of entertainment that we never seem to get tired of.

Finally, what projects do you have coming up?

My next project after Daylight To Dark is producing/directing a commercial. I’ve been working more behind the camera the last few years, but am slowly feeling that draw to spend more time in front of the camera again. Maybe lots more vampire and horror films are in my future. Maybe Bogie will rise again!

Interview by Peter ‘Witchfinder‘ Hopkins