Interview with Archie Borders

Archie Borders is part owner of BWK Media Group based in Louisville, Kentucky. BWK is a full service production company, but Mr. Borders has a lot of experience with directing and considers it to be his favorite field in the business.

1. How did you get started in the business?

-He went to film school and started working on feature films after graduation. He raised money to shoot his own film which he was able to sell to Sundance. Later he helped create BWK Media Group which does a lot of production coordination, web content, and providing crews for producers who are out of state.

2. What are your favorite aspects of the business?

-He said directing, because when you are working on a high-budget film, you are able to focus solely on the creative aspect of the film. If you're working with a talented crew and cast then directing allows you to concentrate on the creation of your vision for the film. But, directing something with a high budget can take years, so inbetween major jobs he and his company do commercial work to keep their skills intact.

3. From your point of view, what are the major distinctions between producing and directing?

-He said it depends really on the film's budget. If the film has a low budget, the producer and director might be the same person. Then the director not only has to focus on the creative aspect, but also the business side of the film's production as well. Producers make the business plans, "keep the train on the tracks," and keep the film on budget. If the film has a high budget, then the director has a responsibility to the producer to keep to the producing schedule and budget, but sometimes this doesn't always work out.

-Interviewed by Rebecca Farmer