The Joy Of Sets: Meet Film Alum Zak Marx
ArtCenter: What are you working on right now?
Zak Marx (BFA 16 Film), Director: I’m currently wrapping a commercial campaign I directed for the U.S. Virgin Islands. Working for a month in the Caribbean is something I strongly recommend.
AC: How do you define success?
ZM: I don’t necessarily know. I think that “success” to an individual is always changing. I would say success is being able to combine your passion in life with what you do for a living, but most importantly, finding some happiness in that work.
The whole filmmaking process can be unnecessarily stressful. Having loved ones around helps to remind you what’s important in this whole thing.
AC: What’s the one tool you can’t live without?
ZM: Friends or family on set. The whole filmmaking process can be unnecessarily stressful. Having loved ones around helps to remind you what’s important in this whole thing.
AC: Where do you go (online or offline) when you’re taking a break?
ZM: My parents’ house. I try to spend as much time as possible surrounded by family.
AC: What do you do to detox from media and screens?
ZM: Usually something active — jog, skate or basketball.
AC: If you could trade jobs with anyone for a day who would it be?
ZM: Probably a talented musician. I secretly enjoy karaoke quite a bit so I could only image what it would be like to preform in front of a packed stadium, especially with talent.
AC: Describe a moment in your childhood where you first identified as an artist.
ZM: I never really thought about it. Being creative was just part of being a kid. When you’re little, we all sit and make things. Everyone finger paints. But I do remember a specific moment as a kid where an older girl said, “What’s the point of drawing? Once you’re finished, you can’t do anything with it.” I remember thinking, “It’s fun just to make things.” So it was more of this realization that making art isn’t something everyone’s into — or more so, that finger painting falls off the list of priorities.
AC: If you could have a superpower, what would it be?
ZM: Shoot spaghetti from my fingertips.
AC: What’s your most prized possession?
ZM: Don’t really have one.
AC: What’s your most irrational or rational fear?
ZM: Scared to die alone.
Alumni Q&A
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AC: How would your closest friend describe you?
ZM: Probably over-analytical. Beyond a hardworking, “makes sure things are perfect” sort of way. More like, “It’s been an hour, pick a damn movie from your Netflix queue already.” I tend to make the simple decisions of everyday life more difficult than they need to be.
AC: What’s your best piece of advice for an ArtCenter student interested in becoming a director?
ZM: Be excited about what you do. I think it’s important to be positive and nice to people. I’m confused by the “asshole = great work” mentality. Of course, you have to crack the whip at times, but I think people respond better to positivity. And really, everyone just wants to get to lunch, so why not make the in between a more joyful affair?
