Darren Doane is a name you've probably never heard before. But search for Darren Doane on the Internet, and you'll find his name all over independent film projects and music videos. Doane is a director, a Christian, and a conversationalist. I had a chance to speak with Doane, and his conversation reflected his work style; he does a lot of it.

Doane, now working for Redline Studios, has made over 200 music videos for a diverse list of bands including MxPx, Promise Ring, the Supertones, Pennywise, Strife, Audio Adrenaline, and Blink 182. But there is more to Doane than his videos.

In 1997, Doane released Godmoney, an independent action-thriller-drama with overtly religious overtones that he directed and co-wrote. Doane realizes the importance of spirituality, and includes heavy nuances and insinuations throughout his films. "I became a Christian shortly after my first feature, although there's a lot of overtones with faith in it," said Doane. Even before becoming a Christian, Doane was searching for and establishing the importance of faith.

Beginnings
Doane started directing in high school, making music videos for his friends and their bands. "Everyone around was in bands, I figured if I could just video tape them, that would get me close enough to the action," Doane explained. "As I started doing music videos with more conceptual themes, I got into wanting to tell stories, as opposed to just making the drummer look cool." From the start he was driven to move far beyond making videos for his acquaintances.

At this point, Doane was a high school student with a video camera. Like so many young people, he was driven to create and influence his surroundings. Unlike many, Doane saw more in making videos than holding the camera; he recognized the beauty involved. "It's not just pointing and shooting," Doane said, "It's about composition--the art crept back into it."

After graduating high school in 1990, Doane went his own way. He attempted the traditional route, film school, but it simply didn't work out. "I took a six week class in UCLA's extension courses," Doane said, "I think it was horror filmmaking--and I think I got through two weeks of it. I just wanted to go out and shoot stuff." So he did.

Despite Doane's lack of college schooling, he did encourage higher education: "I would have loved to continue more education, by way of math and English, because I know how to make a film, but I still have to know how to compose a sentence. I just don't think that school is the place for film. If someone wants to make films, they should just start making them."

And that's what he's done. For the past eleven years Doane has been making music videos--over 200 so far. He has contributed his unique outlook and attitude to the style of many popular bands. MxPx's 'Chick Magnet,' Blink 182's 'Growing Up,' Audio Adrenaline's 'Get Down,' and the hour long At the Movies--the zany video featuring interviews with the Supertones and six music videos--all portray the creative style that Doane commands.

He has also completed several independent feature films, including Godmoney, Black Friday, 42K, and Ides of March. Now, working alongside Redline Studios, he continues to keep himself busy, in body and in mind.

Faith in Films
As a Christian filmmaker, he is aware of the age-old question of mixing his artwork with his faith in Christ. "I know I don't have to [bring faith and art together], but it is something I want to do," he explains, "I have tried, but I think I have failed. As I grow in my faith, I have been convicted that if I am not going to bring all my work under Christ then I don't think I am going to be happy."

"I want to use the power of filmmaking to present the Gospel," Doane explains, "It might not be so blatant, but hopefully it will get people thinking, will start to have bits and pieces of truth shine through."

Doane hasn't always had the desire to share the love of God in his work. However, working along side such "Christian" record labels as Tooth and Nail Records has had its influence. "Brandon [Ebel, Tooth and Nail founder] always wanted quality," said Doane. "He wanted things to be the best, when a lot of other labels didn't really care... that was a real influence on me, a Christian label was all about quality, that was a huge influence." Now, Doane has directed over thirty music videos for Tooth and Nail, including several raw, intense punk-core videos.

As a director, Doane strives to go all out and not worry about the outcome. He is not afraid to go to the extremes. If he wants to include deeply religious overtones in his films, he will. If he wants to work with someone in the industry, he will. "I got the reputation early on that I could work with extreme people," Doane said. His list of video credits highlights some of those extremes, including often-obscene punk-rockers Blink 182.

Influences
Darren Doane makes some intense films; which isn't surprising after hearing his directorial influences. "I was always more excited by a director's attitude and work ethic than his work," Doane said, "But if I had to put three people down I would probably say Oliver Stone, Stanley Kubrick, and David Fincher." Three directors of extreme intensity, creativity, and individualistic attitude, doing their own thing and going their own way--characteristics Doane seems to embody. But being influenced by such films as Stone's JFK, Kubrick's 2001:A Space Odyssey, and Fincher's Seven, there is really no other direction to take--these are powerfully original films.

A film that couldn't be ignored in the interview was P.T. Anderson's Magnolia. This is filmmaking at its finest, the film Doane believes to be "quite possibly the greatest film ever made." This is a bold statement, but it is one that is not made lightly, and Doane realizes what he is saying about the world of film. Magnolia is a dynamically unique film, and from the start, one can't help but know they are in for something different. "What P.T. was doing was making a movie about reality, about sin, and about things being passed on," explains Doane. "P.T. has the ability to get into characters, and he never seems to bring his own personality into the movie."

"I was always inspired by the fact that these people could make a couple movies, get a reputation, and at some point, people will leave you alone," Doane said, "They will see you as someone that can make them money, and let you go out and do your thing, come back with your project and they're happy. That seemed to be the thing I was striving for." Doane is still working towards this goal, but that's not to say he isn't comfortable now. "In the meantime I am very content where I am," he said, "I am able to make the movies I want to make."

That's what it's about. Making the movies he wants to make. Doane reiterated the idea that film is an art form. "And artists are not business people," said Doane. "As soon as the artist has to start negotiating, financially or creatively, it doesn't bring out the best in the artist." This may be why few of us have seen Doane's films.

Doane's Work
So where have you seen Doane's work? Godmoney, as well as most of his features, have had limited independent release. But you might strike gold and find some of his films at your local video store. There's no shortage of information on any of his films on the Internet, too, with a few available at Amazon.com. But you've probably seen his plethora of music videos on TV. Doane's list of videos is impressive. And Doane's list of video credits will only continue to grow if he has his way. What is his way? To make music videos, and to make films. "If I can keep that balance in my life, it would be really great," Doane said.

Throughout our 70-minute conversation, one thing continually became apparent. Darren Doane is what he does. "I've never turned work down," Doane said, "I just love working."