Direct From O.C.
Drake Doremus, 25, is the youngest fellow to be accepted into the much-lauded American Film Institute and the youngest to graduate. His award-winning short films have been featured at festivals across the country and praised by the New York Times. The Los Angeles Times called his first feature-length film, Spooner, “the sleeper hit” in Park City; it won the jury award for best feature at the Sonoma International Film Festival and screened recently at the Newport Beach Film Festival. Doremus has performed improv since he was 6 and directed since 12. He’s worked with seasoned actors such as Danny DeVito, Sally Field, Jason Biggs and Johnny Knoxville.
You saw Spooner on your hometown screen!
I grew up in Santa Ana and Newport Beach—from a baby to 20 I lived here. I grew up seeing films at the Lido Theatre and at times found myself pacing in the rows of seats after the theater had emptied, picturing a theater full of people coming to see my movie. Without trying to sound cheesy, Park City was great, but the Lido is a dream come true.
Is your work always comedic?
Improv is a basis. My mom was a founding member of the [L.A. improv troupe] the Groundlings and the O.C. Crazies. Growing up in that environment, I’ll never be able to get rid of that—and I’m glad.
Variety called Spooner “understated and hilarious.” What would you call it?
Emotionally sincere and heartfelt.
You win a film festival. Where do you go to celebrate?
I’d go to the Goat Hill Tavern in Costa Mesa, my favorite bar in the whole world.
What if your mom wants to go with you?
We love Scott’s Seafood across from South Coast Plaza. Surf ’n’ turf. Oh, yeah.
Where would you take visitors to show them the real O.C.?
To the Pond in Anaheim. The Ducks are the best show in town and the best team in the world. Excuse me, the Honda Center—authentic people still call it the Pond. And Balboa Island. I live in Venice now. Sadly, I miss home.
Where do you shop for clothes when you’re here?
That’s an easy one. I’d go to Fashion Island or South Coast Plaza. Because that’s where my mom would go, and she might buy me a shirt. Quiksilver or Express.
What do you miss about Orange County?
I miss the girls, surprisingly enough. People in Orange County have a nicer disposition and more outgoing personality. In L.A., everyone’s got their head down, running around, so busy. I miss the beaches and beach towns. Balboa is my favorite place to hang out. The island, the ferry, the Fun Zone, the Wedge.... I love walking on the beach down there. The fact that you can see Catalina Island from Newport Beach, right there in front of you, so close, is really special. You can’t see it like that in L.A.
Details
Balboa Fun Zone 600 E. Bay Ave., Newport Beach, 949.673.0408 • Balboa Beach Along Balboa Boulevard at Balboa Pier, Newport Beach, 949.673.3371 • Express Fashion Island, 367 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach, 949.720.9252; South Coast Plaza, 3333 Bristol St., Costa Mesa, 714.540.5830 • Goat Hill Tavern 1830 Newport Blvd., Costa Mesa, 949.548.8428 • Honda Center 2695 E. Katella Ave., Anaheim, 714.704.2400 • Lido Theatre 3459 Via Lido, Newport Beach, 949.673.8350 • O.C. Crazies 809 N. Main St., Santa Ana, 714.550.9890 • Quiksilver South Coast Plaza, 3333 Bristol St., Costa Mesa, 714.540.4555 • Quiksilver Youth Fashion Island, 259 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach, 949.718.9792 • Scott’s 3300 Bristol St., Costa Mesa, 714.979.2400 • The Wedge West Jetty View Park, tip of Balboa Peninsula, end of Channel Road, Newport Beach, 949.673.3373
