DANIEL SHEPHERD

WRITER / DIRECTOR / PRODUCER

BIOGRAPHY

Dan joined the Royal Marines Commandos at the age of 18, where he served for nine years. During that time, he developed a profound passion for documenting the lives of military personnel through photography and videography. His experiences, ranging from the battlegrounds of Afghanistan to various global military exercises, honed his skills in capturing the essence of human emotion and the realities of conflict.

After his time in the Marines, Dan transitioned to the role of military filmmaker, creating films for the UK Armed Forces. It was at this time that he decided to look towards civilian filmmaking to broaden his experience and tell new stories. Dan leveraged his unique perspective and skill set to focus on creating high-quality content that resonates with authenticity and emotional depth. His journey from the frontlines to filmmaking is marked by a commitment to storytelling that reflects the complexities and nuances of military life.

As a director and cinematographer, Dan brings his firsthand experiences into his work, aiming to produce films that entertain, challenge, and engage audiences. Although fictional, the story of Sunray is set against a backdrop of military life, made to feel authentic thanks to the team’s shared experiences. Bringing the unspoken aspects of military life to the screen. Through “Sunray,” Dan hopes to bridge the gap between the experiences of those in uniform and the audience, inviting viewers into a world shaped by the resilience and challenges of its characters.

DIRECTORS COMMENT

“Working on Sunray has been an eye-opening experience. As my first foray into the world of feature filmmaking, it turned out to be a gargantuan task. One that could only be accomplished through being surrounded by exceptional people with a huge passion for the craft. Having the opportunity to work with so many accomplished veterans in the arts has been a humbling experience, and the community that developed through this project felt, at times, similar to the camaraderie we felt in the forces. I truly believe in therapy through creativity, and there’s a restorative power in coming together as a team to create something bigger than ourselves”