Darren Press
Darren Press on the set of Theresa is a Mother
Born
Queens, New York, US
Occupation(s)Film director, producer & Writer
SpouseC. Fraser Press (1996– )
Children3 girls: Schuyler Iona Press, Maeve Press, Amaya Press

Darren Press is an American film director and film producer from New York. He attended Boston University[1] and California Western School of Law in San Diego. When he returned to New York City after law school, he studied and performed with the improv troupe Satire on Broadway and met his wife, writer/director/actress C. Fraser Press, who was also performing with the troupe. Press later became the managing director and Director for Gotham City Improv a former affiliate of The Groundlings[2] and then became the managing director of the Melting Pot Theatre Company.[3] He currently is a partner in the film, TV and theatre production company A May Sky Picture Entertainment.

Theatre

Working with Melting Pot Artistic Director Larry Hirschhorn, Press produced among others the New York Premiere of Woody Guthrie's American Song[4] a Drama Desk nominee and Outer Critics Circle Award winner and the New York Premiere of the Lee Blessing play Cobb winner of numerous awards including the Drama Desk. Actor/Producer Kevin Spacey[5] joined the production team and Cobb was moved to the Lucille Lortel Theatre for an extended Off-Broadway run. After Cobb, Press focused on his writing and directing teaming with wife C. Fraser Press to direct and produce her one-woman show Why We Don't Bomb the Amish.[6]

Advertising

In 2003 Press was hired to write radio spots and print ads for an NYC advertising agency.[7] In 2004 he started his own advertising agency, May Sky Inc.[8] May Sky has represented clients such as Gallagher's Steak House, Gibbs College and WBLS.[9] Press has won numerous awards as a Copywriter and Creative Director.[10]

Film

In 2007, Press again teamed with C. Fraser Press and produced the short film A Driving Lesson, a film accepted as an official selection to over 30 film festivals and which won awards at the Garden State Film Festival[11] and Macon Film Festival.[12] In 2012, Press Produced and Co-directed with his wife C. Fraser Press, the feature film Theresa is a Mother, starring C. Fraser Press, Edie McClurg, Richard Poe, Matthew Gumley and the Press's three girls Schuyler Iona,[13] Maeve and Amaya Press. Theresa is a Mother has won numerous film festival awards including Best Feature Film at the Long Island International Film Expo,[14] Chain NYC Film Festival, Amsterdam Film Festival "Van Gogh Award"[15] Orlando Film Festival,[16] Reel Independent Film Extravaganza Washington DC and The Independent Film Festival Manhattan. It has also picked up a Best Screenplay award from the NYC Independent Film Festival and Chain NYC Film Festival, Best Actress (C. Fraser Press) from the Reel Independent Film Extravaganza and Chain NYC Film Festival and Best Actor (Richard Poe) NYC Independent Film Festival. In a recent review, the West Orlando News wrote: "Between the genuine script and the excellent acting, this movie will leave you laughing throughout while pulling your heartstrings making it hard to fight back the tears. Every scene in this film showed the Press family as masters of storytelling, but what really makes this film enjoyable are the heartwarming emotions, genuine dialogue, and convincing characterization by every actor."[17] Theresa is a Mother enjoyed a small theatrical release in New York City and the Hudson Valley and was released on Netflix and Amazon Prime.[18] His latest film, A Cow in the Sky, is having its world premiere at Tribeca Festival in 2023.

References

  1. ↑ "Classes from 1986–1989". Archived from the original on July 31, 2012.
  2. ↑ cite web|url=http://www.gothamcityimprov.com/history.html Archived June 23, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  3. ↑ LAWRENCE VAN GELDER (December 9, 1998). "THEATER REVIEW: California to the New York Island". The New York Times.
  4. ↑ Lawrence Van Gelder (December 9, 1998). "THEATER REVIEW: California to the New York Island". The New York Times.
  5. ↑ Dave Lefokowitz (October 11, 2000). "Blessing's Cobb Digs in Spikes at OB's Lortel".
  6. ↑ Joshua Tanzer (January 20, 2000). "It Takes an East Village". Archived from the original on September 27, 2011. Retrieved July 4, 2011.
  7. ↑ "On the Move". Adweek. February 19, 2001.
  8. ↑ Marilyn Gardner (June 12, 2006). "Nice Job! Now Get Outta Town". Christian Science Monitor.
  9. ↑ "Gallagher's Steak House Advertising Campaign Wins National Award". March 27, 2006. Archived from the original on September 30, 2011. Retrieved July 4, 2011.
  10. ↑ "May Sky Inc. Wins International Summit Awards for Website Design & Outdoor and Print Advertising Campaign". May 18, 2007. Archived from the original on March 13, 2012. Retrieved July 4, 2011.
  11. ↑ "2008 Festival Awards". Archived from the original on April 4, 2012. Retrieved March 18, 2013.
  12. ↑ "2008 Winners Archive".
  13. ↑ Curtis Schick (November 11, 2010). "Singing to Help Save Lives". YNN. Archived from the original on March 15, 2012. Retrieved July 4, 2011.
  14. ↑ "Long Island International Film Expo". Archived from the original on August 11, 2013. Retrieved August 26, 2013.
  15. ↑ "Home".
  16. ↑ Orlando Film Festival
  17. ↑ "Must See:"Theresa is a Mother hits Orlando Film Festival"". Archived from the original on October 21, 2012. Retrieved December 21, 2012.
  18. ↑ "Watch Now: Orlando Film Festival Winner Hits Netflix".
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