With Braff growing up in a family who were avid fans of Woody Allen's work, it came as a shock when Braff snagged a part in Allen's film, 'Manhattan Murder Mystery.' "For the 45 seconds I was seen in the film, I was really terrified. Woody is a big hero of mine."
Braff went on to attend Northwestern University where he studied Film and Theater. When asked what his advice to aspiring film students is, he simply says, "Make films!" "It's so easy nowadays," he adds. "You have no excuse, make short films, really put time into them, don't make crap, keep them short under 10 minutes, come up with something you feel best represents you."
Although starting out in Hollywood as a director/actor, Braff had to take a back seat to directing in 'The Ex.' "Once you do it and it goes well it's hard to go back," he says. "As a film director you have strong opinions about things. Part of being a filmmaker is being decisive. Jesse was a great director, he had to match a lot of types of personalities."
On plans for the future, Braff wants to direct a "dark drama." "You always wanna do something different, 'cause if you keep doing the same thing over and over it gets boring," he says. "I don't think I'd write a broad comedy, it doesn't come naturally to me, but I'd direct them and maybe act in a couple too." Braff will be getting back into the directing gig in a film set to release in 2008, "Open Hearts."
"The Ex" opens in DC on May 11th.
Braff went on to attend Northwestern University where he studied Film and Theater. When asked what his advice to aspiring film students is, he simply says, "Make films!" "It's so easy nowadays," he adds. "You have no excuse, make short films, really put time into them, don't make crap, keep them short under 10 minutes, come up with something you feel best represents you."
Although starting out in Hollywood as a director/actor, Braff had to take a back seat to directing in 'The Ex.' "Once you do it and it goes well it's hard to go back," he says. "As a film director you have strong opinions about things. Part of being a filmmaker is being decisive. Jesse was a great director, he had to match a lot of types of personalities."
On plans for the future, Braff wants to direct a "dark drama." "You always wanna do something different, 'cause if you keep doing the same thing over and over it gets boring," he says. "I don't think I'd write a broad comedy, it doesn't come naturally to me, but I'd direct them and maybe act in a couple too." Braff will be getting back into the directing gig in a film set to release in 2008, "Open Hearts."
"The Ex" opens in DC on May 11th.
