Biography
Daniel Zirilli founded Pop/Art Film Factory in 1990 at age 24, and to date has directed and/or produced over 250 music videos, films, DVD/home-videos, P.S.A.'s, commercials and multimedia projects including the film and video for The Rolling Stones "Voodoo Lounge" interactive CD/ROM. Zirilli recently directed & produced the 35mm family film "The Stonecutter" based on a fairy tale, filmed in Tahiti, and "Voodoo Mardi Gras" a thriller he also wrote, which was shot by "The Blair Witch Project" dp, Neal L. Fredericks. Zirilli has 2 other films he directed & produced in national distribution- "Black Spring Break 2" (The sequel to the indie hit comedy "Black Spring Break"), and his debut feature film "Winner Takes All" (BET "Movie of the Week"), an urban drama in which he also co-starred and co-wrote the story. The ensemble cast includes gold and platinum recording artists and actors such as B-Real of Cypress Hill, Domino, Rappin' 4-Tay, AMG, Flesh N'Bone of Bone Thugs n' Harmony, and Joe Estevez.
Zirilli's documentaries and public service announcements have featured Pierce Brosnan, Olivia Newton-John, Mark Hammill, John Ritter, Jane Seymour, Bob Saget, Herbie Hancock, Rita Coolidge, Richard Mull, Ed Begley Jr. among many others, for projects commissioned by the Earth Communication Office (E.C.O.), Earth Summit, Save our Skies (S.O.S.), Michael Jackson's Moonwalker Entertainment, and The Garden Project L.A. in association with Disney. He has also directed commercials for Avirex clothing, promo spots for recording artists, and live concerts/longforms for Cypress Hill, Bobby Womack, and The Rolling Stones.
Zirilli has produced both independent films and music video's from the soundtracks of "Dangerous Minds" (Hollywood Pictures), "The Show" (Russell Simmons/Def Pictures) and "Money Train" (Columbia Pictures) and clips for such notable directors as multimedia pioneer, Michael Nesmith of the Monkee's.
Daniel Zirilli has directed and/or produced #1 videos on MTV, The Box, and BET, for videos from over 17 singles and albums reaching beyond gold and platinum sales (1 million units) certified by the recording industry association of America (RIAA).
Artists include Montel Jordan, Master P, Shaq, Freddie Jackson, Gerald Levert, Bobby Womack, Peter Himmelman, Cypress Hill, Flea, Scarface, Domino, Supercat, Redman, Wilton Felder, Najee, etc. Zirilli has been nominated for (4) Billboard Music Video Awards and (8) M.V.P.A. awards (Music Video Producers Association) and was the winner of the 1997 Telly Award for directing "All I Can Do" by Tina Moore.
In 2001 Zirilli produced the youth prison documentary film "15-To-Life" directed & staring Moon Jones ("Tales From The Hood", Master P's "I'm Bout it"). Zirilli executive produced and has a cameo acting role in the B-movie comedy "Black Spring Break" which is currently in national distribution with Blockbuster video through Xenon Entertainment. The film has now passed "Platinum Sales" on home video/DVD. Zirilli co-executive produced he album "Memories of Amnesia" featuring Arik Marshal, Flea, and Chad Smith of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Members of Suicidal Tendencies, Weapon of Choice and the Untouchables.
Zirilli is currently developing the theatrical feature film "No Man is an Island", from his screenplay based on the true life of legendary bootlegger, mafia hustler, gun runner, turned hero- Mayor of Key West - Capt. Tony Tarracino.
Daniel graduated from Pepperdine University, in Malibu California with a Bachelor of Arts in Speech Communication/Creative Writing, and he has lectured on Directing/Producing at film festivals, seminars and at UCLA extension/film school.