Peter Zerzan, an award-winning director
With enthralling action films, gasp-worthy thrillers, hearty comedies, and many more, the movie industry offers something exciting for every film buff and cinema-goer. Film-making is cherished by many and has been entertaining people for over a century. However, despite that, a recent report shows that the market size of the Movie & Video Production industry in the US has declined 3.4% per year on average between 2018 and 2023. That decrease highlights the importance of discovering aspiring directors, producers, and screenwriters, whose sheer passion offers a fresh and unique perspective.
Entering the creative industry in the 2020s presents many challenges. The most prominent one is that there are hundreds of thousands of movies out there already, and it’s nearly impossible to offer something that hasn’t been done yet. An award-winning filmmaker, Peter Zerzan entered this demanding landscape with limited resources, narrow experience, and a compelling urge to fulfill his childhood dream of becoming a film director. As it turned out, Peter’s unmatched passion and motivation were enough to make strides with 2 short films, and now, the film enthusiast is eager to share his vision in a bigger format.
Peter used to be a political organizer around the US, built an impressive network in San Francisco, and was very involved in that field. However, after a while, he felt like he stopped making progress and wasn’t advancing. In 2016, Peter worked on his last presidential campaign and didn’t see himself pursuing this career anymore. After leaving the life he was used to, Peter felt lost and didn’t have a plan for his future. That’s when he decided to take a leap of faith and chase a childhood dream of his - filmmaking.
Although working in politics felt like an exhausting rat race, it taught Peter the importance of clear storytelling and working with the resources he was given. By combining his infatuation with movies and his experience and solid work ethic, Peter offers a unique and fresh perspective on the world. His work dynamic enables fruitful and efficient creation, ensuring all parties involved in a film feel heard, appreciated, and seen.
“I think far too many people think that just because they are creative, they can make anything happen. That’s just not how it works. I’m not against improv, but I believe that the more prepared you are, the better you can improvise. If someone has a new idea on the day of the shoot, everyone has to pivot, and that pivoting will only work if people have an idea of what they want the finished product to look like. I believe in preparation, and I always aim to get my work done on time and under the budget. I plan on creating a feature film next, and hope that my productive approach and creative vision will attract investors with the same values,” expresses Peter.
Peter’s first movie, Election Night, is a short film revolving around the 2018 midterm Congress elections. Election Night portrays the story of two organizers, a rookie, and a veteran, at an empty office on Election Night 2018. As a previous political organizer, Peter Zerzan utilized his professional experience and created a convincing and plausible atmosphere. Election Night has been entered into the 2021 San Francisco Movie Festival, was played at the renowned TCL Chinese Theater in Hollywood, and earned Peter many awards. “Even though it’s been almost 4 years since the premiere, I’m still getting invited to various festivals, and it makes me very proud,” shares Peter.
The Extraction, a short action film launched in 2022, is Peter’s 2nd movie. It follows the story of an unnamed agent armed with important data. Set in a sleepy neighborhood in San Francisco, Peter masterfully reveals a den of spies operating under the cover of night, taking the viewer on a thrilling and edge-of-the-seat journey.
Peter’s short voyage through the exciting movie industry has already turned out to be successful. With multiple awards and recognition at prestige festivals, Peter Zerzan has made a significant impact on the market. Now, the aspiring film director is working on a feature action film. “My hope for the newest movie is to escape the norms set by the crown jewels of action pictures, offering a brisk outlook and just as high standards,” conveys Peter.
Peter states, “Filmmaking will face many challenges in the near future. However, I believe there are many bright days ahead for the movies.”
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Contact: Peter Zerzan
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