Interview with film teacher and director Darryl Haase

Welcome Mr Haase we are very excited to have you today and discuss about your work. Who is Darryl Haase and how did the passion for start ?

My love of old Hollywood and films such as the original KING KONG, THE WIZARD OF OZ and THE TEN COMMANDMENTS, have fueled my dreams and imagination for as long as I can remember. I made super 8 movies when I was a kid in the 70’s, and would cast my friends and family in different roles. I even attempted to part the Red Sea in my backyard, but the pool leaked! I also held an annual awards ceremony where I would honor all my friends with hand made trophies. It was both great fun and a very meaningful time to me. Life put me on different paths, including performing in professional theatre, working in the corporate world and attending seminary, but I never lost that urge to create movies. I was inspired by the great directors Alfred Hitchcock and Cecil B. DeMille, each of whom knew how to capture their audiences’ attention, keep the story moving, and stage a rousing set piece for the film’s climax. Being older has made me appreciate filmmaking even more, and with Gods grace and the loving support of my husband, I have been able to rekindle childhood dreams.

Can you tell us about your previous work ?
I spent many years making films for the church. These included films about the church’s street ministry and its parish nursing program. A team of church volunteers and I also made a film of the Nativity Story with youngsters from our church which featured sets, costumes, music and special effects. I spent the last few years working at the Hollywood Heritage Museum in Hollywood, CA. There I was able to use my knowledge of film history and create even more content. I produced short documentary films about Fay Wray (“King Kong”), George Chakiris (“West Side Story”) and Nancy Olson ( “Sunset Boulevard”). My film “Hollywood Hopes and Dreams” was shown for a special event at the Sherry Lansing Theatre on the Paramount Pictures Lot.

I also conceived a 28 minute documentary in 2022 about silent film director Fred Niblo (Ben Hur, Mark of Zorro) called “Fred Niblo: A Life of Art and Love,” with the participation and cooperation of his family. It was then that I truly felt drawn to making films about people who made an impact but whose stories weren’t all that well known.

CONVERSATION ABOUT: ‘‘HOLLYWOOD'S PASTOR: The H.K. Rasbach Story’’

What would you describe as your documentary style ?

My documentary style depends on the subject matter. I always let the heart of the story take the lead. My film on director Fred Niblo had narration over the visuals, which were presented chronologically. My latest on the Rev. H. K. Rasbach was more thematic in nature given I had access to interviews with people who knew him.

I do think it’s important to meld interviews, narration, clips and music in a way that’s informative and entertaining yet also lets the audience feel as if they really got to know the person(s) being featured. Also, finding moments of humor and pathos in even the smallest of details will create a three dimensional documentary experience.

Talk to us about your film? How was it created and what inspired it?

 I met the Rev. Mark Rasbach one day when I was at the Hollywood Heritage Museum giving a tour. Rev. Mark mentioned that his father, the late Rev. H.K. Rasbach, was a religious consultant to the film industry and was a very close friend of Cecil B. DeMille’s. When I learned this and that H.K. worked with director George Stevens on THE GREATEST STORY EVER TOLD (1965), I knew that H. K.’s life would make a compelling documentary.  

Rev. Mark had a collection of his Dad’s papers, including an unpublished book on the making of DeMille’s “The King of Kings, “personal correspondence between he and DeMille, as well as scripts and photos. They became the foundation for much of my research and film content .  

I met film historian and author Katherine Orrison at a film festival, and by chance mentioned the H.K. documentary.  I was amazed when she told me she knew H.K. well, was a member of his church and would love being apart of the film.  I was thrilled and her contributions were invaluable. 

It took me over a year to begin putting all the pieces together to create the film.  

It was a labor of love and I truly felt a divine force leading me through the process. 

What are the most important chapters in H.K. Rasbach's life and share with us if this project shares a close personal connection to you ?

HK wrote a letter to Mr. DeMille in 1949, which stated that The Ten Commandments (1923) changed his life and inspired him to enter the ministry.

I have been profoundly effected by religious films myself. “The Ten Commandments” (1956) has had a lasting impact on me because Mr. DeMille made God a real character and the spectacle leaves you in a state of awe and wonder. At films end, you really feel you have lived through something special.

Also, HK produced his own films as a young man. I could relate because of my own experience making films early on. I can also understand the angst he felt following the call to serve the church vs. becoming his desire to become a full time director. I too have had to make hard decisions in my life which for a long time detoured a film career. But God works in mysterious ways, and while H.K never became a movie director, he was called to something even more meaningful, that is to minister to the entire Hollywood community.

As a teacher and an audiovisual historian enthusiast, could you let our audience know what a film historian is ?

A film historian is someone who has knowledge of film and researches about how its past effects the present.  Knowledge of all facets of filmmaking is helpful, because it allows you to see style, technique, and cultural trends of the medium.  It isn’t enough to be a bastion of information. A good film historian is able to enter a “time machine” to go back and forth and connect the dots of how movies have impacted the world.  

What is the target audience of your project ?

The target audience of my project is people of faith and anyone who appreciates the golden age of Hollywood. That being said, I think anyone who sees the film can be inspired by H.K.’s story. Just as a sports movie can stir people who aren’t sports enthusiasts, I think H. K.’s story offers a universal message of hope and optimism.  

What is the message the audience should convey leaving the screening of your film ? 

I hope that the message they convey is that a person is able to touch, comfort, and inspire others by “letting go and letting God.” People who have seen the film already have mentioned how they felt they got to know H.K. and that we need more like him in the world today.

Any upcoming projects in the near future ?

My husband and I have recently relocated to Mesa, Arizona, and I was pleased to learn that there is a thriving film colony here. Arizona has always had a big connection to Hollywood, and many films and TV shows were filmed at the Old Tucson studios. I am looking forward to meeting local filmmakers and finding good stories to tell. A good story can be found anywhere.  You just need to listen for it.  Finally, I am very interested in making legacy films about family history, whereby a grandchild, for example, can learn about their grandparents.  That is something I enjoy and it keeps my research skills sharp. 

That was the interview with our beloved creator Darryl Haase. Our community is rising everyday, new talented filmakers and screenwriters get onboard. Be sure to check the rest of our interviews and why not schedule one for yourself to promote your work. To publish an interview simply submit on the INTERVIEW OF YOUR FILM category on our Filmfreeway page.