Tag: Steven Aripez

USC alumnus Steven Aripez cites former Trojan as filmmaking inspiration

Steven Aripez, a USC-educated filmmaker, looks up to another filmmaker who attended the school.

We continue our conversation with USC alumnus and filmmaker Steven Aripez, the director of “The Director’s Cut.” Aripez, in this conversation on filmmaking, references a former USC Trojan who is included in our lengthy list of famous USC celebrities and alumni, published in 2022.

Trojans Wire: Who are your favorite teams to watch?

Steven Aripez: Clippers, Heat, Timberwolves, Chargers and the Arizona Cardinals. As far as college sports the UCLA Bruins and USC Trojans I’m interested to see how they do in the Big Ten, RIP to the Pac-12.

Trojans Wire: If you could put one current athlete in a movie directed by you, who would you choose?

Steven Aripez: Anthony Edwards. He’s got the charisma and from what I saw from him in the film Hustle, he can act. Second would be Israel Adesanya. I believe he has acting chops.

Trojans Wire: USC film school has produced some of the biggest names in Hollywood that include George Lucas, John Chu, Ryan Coogler, Paul Feig, John Singleton and many more; who are your favorite USC alumni in the film industry?

Steven Aripez: The great one for me is John Carpenter, who directed “Halloween,” “Espcape from L.A.” and “The Fog.” He’s a huge influence on my filmmaking and aesthetic. He’s on my Mount Rushmore of filmmakers and deserves more respect for his excellence in filmmaking.

Trojans Wire: What movies are you currently working on for the future?

Steven Aripez: Right now my producer and I have started shopping around a horror script of mine titled “Switchblade Holiday.” I’m currently writing a raunchy rom-com script. I’m almost done with it. And I’m finishing editing a short film of mine.

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USC alumnus Steven Aripez is a big Reggie Bush fan

A USC alumnus and filmmaker intends to make a sports movie in the future.

Steven Aripez started taking film seriously at age 16. Beginning as a writer, he then realized he had a passion for directing. The USC alumnus is building a career and collecting filmmaking experiences he hopes to translate into a legacy, much as Reggie Bush turned moments of individual brilliance into a national championship and Heisman Trophy on the gridiron.

“The Director’s Cut” is Aripez’s first full feature film. We talked to him about his favorite sports movie and who his favorite athletes were growing up in Southern California.

Trojans Wire: Who were your favorite athletes growing up?

Steven Aripez: have so many. In basketball, my favorites are Paul Pierce, Tracy McGrady, Vince Carter, Steve Francis, Jimmy Butler, Kevin Garnett, and Anthony Edwards. I really hope Ant-Man can win the championship this year.

As for football, LaDainian Tomlinson, Reggie Bush, Priest Holmes, Larry Fitzgerald, Drew Brees and Michael Vick.

In Combat sports, Nick Diaz, Nate Diaz, Mauricio Shogun Rua, Israel Adesanya, Max Holloway, Charles Oliveira, Quinton Jackson, Terence Crawford, Juan Manuel Marquez and Jermain Taylor.

Trojans Wire: Do you plan on making a sports movie one day?

Steven Aripez: I do. I have a Muay Thai tournament sports film idea and a story about the 2005 MMA Pride FC Middleweight Grand Prix that is inspired by my experience watching that amazing tournament unfold.

Trojans Wire: What’s your favorite sports movies of all time?

Steven Aripez: “He Got Game.” It’s also my favorite film by Spike Lee. “He Got Game” is emotionally devasting and inspiring. Denzel (Washington) has never been better, in my opinion. The visuals, music, and the portrayal of basketball is amazing.

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Interview with USC alumnus Steven Aripez, director of ‘The Director’s Cut’

Trojans Wire asked USC alum Steven Aripez about his favorite Southern California football players.

Steven Aripez, a USC alumnus, began his professional life as a writer but eventually discovered he had an instinct and a knack for directing. Over the years, he has learned that one of the best ways to grow as a filmmaker is to study film from various vantage points and perspectives, learning from both the outstanding films everyone celebrates and the more obscure films which don’t connect with a wider audience. Besides exploring films for the simple benefit of added knowledge, the best film education Aripez has had is making films directly and immersing himself in that daunting and involving experience. After creating multiple short films and evolving as a filmmaker with each one, he knew he was ready to tackle a feature. In the summer of 2021, he directed his first feature film titled “The Director’s Cut.” Shot on a budget of $12,000, the eight-day shoot was quite an adventure. “The Director’s Cut” is now available on streaming services such as Tubi and others.

Trojans Wire: How did you get your start in the film industry?

Steven Aripez: Technically I’m still trying to break through. But I’ve gotten this far by self-teaching, studying the greats, and finding my team of filmmakers. It’s a grind and breaking in is very tough. The only way to break in is by practicing, studying the craft, making films, and never quitting. It’s gotta be your plan A through Z.

Trojans Wire: How did you develop the storyline for “The Director’s Cut”?

Steven Aripez: The South Korean film “Memories of Murder” sparked the idea, specifically the ending of that film. It’s a serial killer procedural film. If you haven’t seen it I highly recommend it. It’s a masterpiece. Also, I really wanted to do a film that mostly took place in one location and over the course of a day. I’m a big fan of the films “Clerks” and “Friday.” I wanted to do a mix of those films with a serial killer twist to it.

Trojans Wire: You’re a Southern California native from Murrieta (California), so do you have any favorite USC Trojans or UCLA Bruins football players?

Steven Aripez: Maurice Jones-Drew, Mike Williams, Reggie Bush, Mark Sanchez, and LenDale White are my favorites.

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