Filmmakers Making A Social Impact: Why & How Filmmaker Zach Baliva of ‘Potentially Dangerous’ Is Helping To Change Our World
Don’t be afraid to fail
It can be hard to commit to a project, especially a documentary, when you don’t know how it will turn out. That can paralyze us as creatives, but I’ve learned to push through the fear. Even if the story doesn’t turn out like you had thought, there will be a different way to tell the story. Often, the result will be stronger for the struggle.
As a part of our series about “Filmmakers Making A Social Impact” I had the pleasure of interviewing Zach Baliva.
Director and producer Zach Baliva started his career working for the writers and producers of the hit TV show ER. He left to produce My Name is Jerry, the feature film that gave Steven Yeun (Minari) his first on-screen role. Baliva traces his roots to Italy’s Abruzzo region and has lived and worked in Rome and Venice.
Thank you so much for doing this interview with us! Before we dive in, our readers would love to get to know you a bit. Can you share your “backstory” that brought you to this career?
I came to Hollywood from the Midwest in 2003 and ended up working for the producers of ER and The West Wing on the Warner Bros. lot. I left to produce My Name is Jerry, and independent comedy starring Doug Jones that gave Steven Yeun his first on-screen role. I also spent more than a decade working as a journalist, which made a transition into documentary filmmaking a natural fit.
Director’s Statement: (Zach Belvia)
When I obtained my dual citizenship in Italy, I realized that I had little connection to my ancestors’ homeland…and I wondered why. Then I discovered the reason — Italians in America were persecuted during World War II, not for anything they had actually done but only for who they were and where they were from. The trauma led many of them to hide their language, culture, and customs. Potentially Dangerous reveals the untold story of what happened to Italians in America during WWII and examines the lasting effects of these events. This story has modern-day implications and can help us learn to treat others with empathy and understanding.
It has been said that our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
There are so many opportunities to make great mistakes when you are working as a production assistant. I’ve found that as long as your intent is right–if you are trying–people are very forgiving and even anxious to provide support and advice. I once forgot to book a critical piece of equipment for a shoot. Working around the error forced us to get creative
Who are some of the most interesting people you have interacted with? What was that like? Do you have any stories?
Joe and Anthony Russo, the Russo Brothers, are the most prolific and successful directors working today. For them to support projects like Potentially Dangerous, which highlight the Italian American experience, is critical. This film never would have been made with their support and support from our Executive Producer John Turturro. John’s family is from Italy, and some of them have served in the US military. He was an obvious partner for us, and since he has worked with some of the best Italian creative minds, he is also committed to preserving Italian culture, which is a key theme of our film.
Potentially Dangerous also found its way to the late Morgan Spurlock. He called me to volunteer his advocacy for our film. As a filmmaker who grew up watching his films and studying his work in film school, this was an especially exciting development.
Which people in history inspire you the most? Why?
Let’s now shift to the main focus of our interview, how are you using your success to bring goodness to the world? Can you share with us the meaningful or exciting social impact causes you are working on right now?
As a documentary filmmaker, I have the unique opportunity to give voice to those who haven’t been able to tell their story. I’m so grateful that we were able to capture important first-person testimonies in Potentially Dangerous. These people are sharing how traumatic events from 80 years ago shaped them. Most of them are in their 80s and 90s and won’t be around to tell their stories much longer, but we preserved their experiences for future generations to learn from. I’m now raising money for a follow-up documentary on an all-immigrant soccer team playing their sport in Italy and fighting racism at the same time.
Many of us have ideas, dreams, and passions, but never manifest it. But you did. Was there an “Aha Moment” that made you decide that you were actually going to step up and take action for this cause? What was that final trigger?
I was in research mode when I discovered that some Italians were detained inside Ellis Island. That was the moment when I knew I had to tell this story. Immigrants saw the Statute of Liberty and were processed through Ellis Island on what was probably one of the most exciting and significant days of their lives. Some of them were then held against their will in the shadow of the Statue of Liberty only a few short years later. Once I knew that, there was no looking back.
Can you tell us a story about a particular individual who was impacted or helped by your cause?
Potentially Dangerous talks about the impact the wartime events had on Italian American culture going forward. I hear often from Italian Americans who never knew much about their own origins. Many have said that watching the film has compelled them to learn the story of their own family in a more full and significant way.
What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why? Please share a story or example for each.
Don’t be afraid to fail
It can be hard to commit to a project, especially a documentary, when you don’t know how it will turn out. That can paralyze us as creatives, but I’ve learned to push through the fear. Even if the story doesn’t turn out like you had thought, there will be a different way to tell the story. Often, the result will be stronger for the struggle.
Just ask
The gatekeepers like to tell others that they can’t approach certain people for help, or they must follow certain rules of engagement like waiting two weeks between emails, for example. Shoot your shot, what have you got to lose?
You are not alone
If you share your passion, people will be willing to help and support you. I thought it would be hard to get people to care about Potentially Dangerous, but most people who heard about this unknown story became interested. We did a Kickstarter campaign to increase our budget and wound up with more than a hundred supporters. Many of them became strong advocates for the film and its cause.
There’s enough for all of us
This may be my biggest lesson. The arts can feel like a battle as we apply for grants or awards or other resources. I used to surrender to this pressure and feel jealous or competitive. But there are many important stories that need to be told, and there are enough funding opportunities and film festivals for everyone. Life is better when we can collaborate and encourage other artists.
There will be a lot of rejection
It’s just part of life as a filmmaker or other type of artist. I receive three rejection emails today while working on this interview, and it’s not even noon. Believe in your story, realize the rejection isn’t personal, vent to a trusted friend, and then resolve to keep going. The story you want to tell matters, or you would never have been drawn to it in the first place.
If you could tell other young people one thing about why they should consider making a positive impact on our environment or society, like you, what would you tell them?
Creating documentary films or other media and content that can make a difference is not out of reach. Whether you have the budget for a fancy camera or a smartphone, you can create a story that challenges the status quo, reveals an unknown truth, invites people to reflect on their beliefs, or inspires an entire community.
We are very blessed that many other Social Impact Heroes read this column. Is there a person in the world, or in the US, whom you would like to collaborate with, and why? He or she might see this.
Everyday people can be social impact heroes. I’m always looking to collaborate with those looking to tell an untold story. Ben Proudfoot of Breakwater Studios continues to set the gold standard, and his team’s work inspires my own, as does Nicholas Bruckman and his powerful film Not Going Quietly.
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?
I’ve had mentors stress to me the fact that character and integrity matter. It’s not worth having a masterpiece if you’ve harmed or overlooked people to create it.
How can our readers follow you online?
We are at https://potentiallydangerousfilm.com
and on social media:
https://www.instagram.com/potentiallydangerousfilm/
https://www.facebook.com/potentiallydangerousfilm
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1kHHKisHWct-AH3oBS1GGg
The doc is now available to stream online at the official site and for sale on DVD.
This was great, thank you so much for sharing your story and doing this with us. We wish you continued success!
Filmmakers Making A Social Impact: Why & How Filmmaker Zach Baliva of ‘Potentially Dangerous’ Is… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.