Daniel J. Pico profile picture

Daniel J. Pico

Not enough hours in the day...

About Me


Of all the things I remember from my childhood, what sticks out the most is going to the movies. The first movie that I clearly remember seeing in the theater was Ridley Scott's "Legend". I remember all the vibrant colors of Alex Thompson's cinematography, and the mid 80's rock score of "Tangerine Dream". But, most of all I remembered the way that Ridley Scott had created another world. It only existed on this screen for 90 minuets, at 24 frames a second, but to a five year old boy it was magic. Now, as I'm making my own movies I remember this time which seems so long ago, and let that be my guide. I love the magic of movies. I want a five year old one day to be in a movie theatre, to look up at the screen, and be completely in the world I, and my creative partners in crime make.
BIO:
Dan was awarded The Albert P. Weisman Scholarship for his original screenplay Two Days In Limbo, a product of Dan's producing writing and directing. Limbo screened at the American Film Market at the Cannes Film Festival in France and it went on to garner a bevy of festival awards including Grand Jury Prize - Best Short Film - Michigan Independent Film Festival 2003, and The New York International Film and Video Festival 2004. Other films by Chicago-based Pico include Soldier, Back to Reality, The Wooden Door and First Light. Additional directing credits include the TV pilots Roscoe Village and Casting Shadows.
Dan has been making films since the age of 8. He counts on Sam Fuller and John Frankenheimer among his greatest influences. Dan Holds a Bachelor of Arts in Film and Video from Columbia College, Chicago.
uPressplay Features - Click on thumbnail to Watch
uPressplay Music Videos - Click on thumbnail to Watch
On Sale Now! - Click on thumbnail for more info
uPressplay's V.1
Independent Movie and Music Showcase featuring STAY DEAD, Behind the Werewolf, Caleb's Cube, Dye the Sky, Court Jester, along with Director's Commentary, Image Galleries, Trailers and a wide range of Special Features promoting each showcase.
uPressplay V.2
Independent Movie and Music Showcase featuring Two Days in Limbo, Roscoe Village: Episode 1, Soldier, Terrorvision, Roni vs Lincoln and Marazene's Execute Music Video , along with Director's Commentary, Image Galleries, Trailers, Subtitles and a wide range of Special Features promoting each showcase.

My Interests

Movies:

My favorite films of all time (Some of these films do change when I see one I forget about, that I haven't seen in a while. It's like an old flame that rolls back into town to say hello. You forget about how much you have for them until you see them again, thus is my love affair with the movies.)1. The Shawshank Redemption 2. Leaving Las Vegas 3. The Naked Kiss 4. The Right Stuff 5. Vertigo 6. Fearless 7. Born on the Forth of July 8. The Contender 9. Magnolia 10. Schindler's List

Heroes:

There are people that I admire sure, other artists, people who volunteer to do something for the community, leaders in general. I think we should be our own heroes. I'm big on empowerment. People who take that leap and say, What the fuck! I'll let the chips fall where they may! Recently I heard Danny Trejo on a filmmaking panel said it best, "It's better to shoot for the sky and miss, than to aim for the gutter and make it." Be ambitious and don't fail.

My Blog

Selling my comic books... Any takers?

Ladies and Gentlemen, I'm selling my comic book collection that I have been amassing since I was 7 years old.  Yes, making a feature film has taken its toll on me financially and I must part wit...
Posted by Daniel J. Pico on Mon, 17 Sep 2007 02:47:00 PST

Everything thats wrong with America, starts at the top... Or does it?

I recently began looking around the internet for material about the current administration running our government.  Not just the guys at the top, but the people who are actually creating p...
Posted by Daniel J. Pico on Mon, 13 Aug 2007 07:09:00 PST

New screenplay idea, I need your help...

I just recently began working on a new screenplay.  It's an idea I've been kicking around for a few years and I want to try and see if I can write it very quickly.  But I need your help...
Posted by Daniel J. Pico on Sun, 05 Aug 2007 11:42:00 PST

"SOLDIER" REVIEWED BY PHIL HALL!!!! 5-STARS!!!!!

"SOLDIER" Review by Phil Hall - Film Threat Magazine (2006-02-17) 2006, Un-rated, 10 minutes, A Upressplay Production It is no small exaggeration to claim Daniel J. Pico's adaptation of David B...
Posted by Daniel J. Pico on Mon, 13 Feb 2006 01:47:00 PST