About

Peter Paul Basler is a Swiss-American director who has been practicing the art of filmmaking since his start in the mid-nineties as a production assistant on Anjelica Huston's Bastard out of Carolina.

Basler grew up on the east coast where his early films would go on to become darlings of the festival circuit and announce him as a filmmaker of note. Today, his films have played both domestically and internationally earning him awards as both a director and producer.

While in New York in the early 2000s, Basler had the good fortune to be taught the craft of storytelling by Dylan Kidd who would soon after launch the career of an unknown Jess Eisenberg in the film Rodger Dodger also starring Campbell Scott, Elizabeth Berkley and Jennifer Beals.

Basler's early directing work includes Just Add Pepper a romantic comedy shot on film in his home state of New Jersey, Reality & Stuff a fully improvised comedy shot with members of the famed Upright Citizens Brigade theater in New York City, and the independent TV production As Cool As Jennifer which won accolades locally.

Upon arriving in Los Angeles in the mid 2000s, Basler's prowess as an independent producer took center stage for a short time on two very notable projects!

Basler teamed with Sundance Jury Prize Winner Matthew Harrison (Rhythm Thief) in the role of producer on the critical hit Big Heart City, starring Oscar nominee Seymour Cassel and Shawn Andrews (Dazed & Confused). Two of Hollywood's hottest young stars, Hrach Titizian (TV's Homeland) and Lauren Cohan (TV's The Walking Dead) headlined Basler's next producing effort, the award winning romantic comedy feature Float.

While producing was rewarding, Basler found that these pursuits (as well as AD-ing for noted directors such as James Gunn and Slamdance's Dan Mirvish) kept him out of the director's chair. His heart, it seems, always brought him back to directing!

Basler's recent directing efforts include Chad & The Alien Toupee starring Bob Picardo and Tim Russ (of Star Trek fame) Spotlight 1 & Spotlight 2 starring Joe Lando and Eve Mauro, Ivan's House starring John Heard and Josh Zuckerman, The Vortex (aka Big Bad Bugs) starring Jack Plotnick, Sarah Lieving and Ted Jonas; and the award winning Any Other Friday starring Emmy nominee Gregory Itzin (TV's 24), Cristine Rose, Miracle Laurie, Ben Watkins, and Julia Goldani Telles.

Together with Brazilian filmmaker Miguel Muller, Basler founded the production company Supernova Films in 2011! The Vortex was the first film produced under the Supernova Films banner. The found footage horror film The Before Time would follow soon after.

The Spec TV Show Pilot The Pragmatist starring Jack Maxwell is Basler’s most recent directing effort.

Basler currently resides in Burbank, California with his wife, two young children and their dog. He has been known to often say: "Life is good, if a bit more sticky with kids!"

What people are saying...

 

"Peter Paul Basler is a joy to work with as a producer, writer, and director.  In all capacities he guides with intelligence, understanding, wit, compassion, and calm. Peter writes stories and characters that ring so very true, filled with humor and poignancy.  It is effortless to jump in and live in the worlds he creates. I am blessed to have worked with him!"

Cristine Rose
TV’s Heroes

"Peter's attributes are numerous. He is highly collaborative, has great imagination and energy, engenders allegiance from cast and crew, communicates well and clearly, works quickly but allows the piece and the actors room to breathe and to grow. Implied from this but must be stated: he treats you with respect, is quick to praise if called for, and a joy to work with!"

- Gregory Itzin
TV’s 24

"The depth of my work continues to change and grow when I work with Peter. Over the years I have found Peter's approach with actors to be unique and individualized. His talent is a great ability to listen to the needs of the whole ensemble. Peter really focuses on bringing your own personality to every role..."

- Eve Mauro
Miss March, The Chaos Experiment

"Peter is caring, diligent, and imaginative. His professionalism and attention to detail is joined usefully with his strong leadership skills and ability to command respect on a set."

- Matthew Harrison
Sundance Jury Prize Winner

"Mr. Peter Paul Basler is on the top of my list! His calm energy and his clear vision quickly get me up to speed. The set reflects his charm and funny wit! I hope we do many more projects together."

- Sarah Lieving
Mega Shark 2, Night of the Living Dead 3D

"Over the years Peter and I have worked on several projects together. Whether he is directing, writing, or producing his unique style, collaborative ability with other artists and calm demeanor under pressure set him apart from the crowd. It is why I always look forward to working with him."

- Joe Lando
TV’s Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman

Portfolio

  • Sizzle Reel

     

    Run time: 3:58

    preview
  • Director Reel

     

    Run time: 6:36

    preview
  • Narrative Reel

     

    Run time: 5:27

    preview
  • Comedy Reel

     

    Run time: 4:46

    preview
  • Action Thriller Reel

     

    Run time: 4:29

    preview
  • Family Film Reel

     

    Run time: 4:27

    preview
  • La Llorona

    Title Sequence

    Run time: 2:11

    preview
  • Drop of Blood

    Short Film

    Run time: 13:27

    preview
  • Survival

    Feature Trailer

    Run time: 2:12

    preview
  • Dee Jay Zee

    Short Film

    Run time: 18:00

    preview
  • The Vortex

    Feature Trailer

    Run time: 0:51

    preview
  • Big Bad Bugs!

    Feature Trailer

    Run time: 1:13

    preview
  • Big Bad Bugs

    EPK

    Run time: 11:22

    preview
  • ICE

    Feature Teaser Trailer

    Run time: 1:01

    preview
  • ICE: The Movie

    ICE: The Movie

    Feature Trailer

    Run time: 2:03

    preview
  • Spotlight

    Short Film

    Run time: 25:42

    preview
  • Spotlight 2

    Teaser

    Run time: 1:07

    preview
  • Spotlight 2

    Trailer

    Run time: 1:12

    preview
  • Spotlight 2

    Short Film

    Run time: 32:43

    preview
  • The Life & Times of Samantha Jane

    Trailer

    Run time: 0:40

    preview
  • The Life & Times of Samantha Jane

    All Episodes

    Run time: 24:53

    preview
  • Ivan's House

    Trailers (x2)

    Run time: 1:51

    preview
  • Ivan's House

    Short Film

    Rum time: 23:48

    preview
  • Just Add Pepper

    Feature Trailers (x2)

    Run Time: 2:42

    preview
  • As Cool As Jennifer

    Spec TV Show Trailer

    Run time: 1:53

    preview
  • Reality & Stuff

    Comedy Feature Clip

    Run time: 3:56

    preview
  • Death by Boxer

    Trailer

    Run time: 0:46

    preview
  • Behind the Scenes

    EPK clips (x3)

    Run time: 4:46

    preview
  • Any Other Friday

    Trailer

    Run time: 1:44

    preview
  • Any Other Friday

    Short Film

    Run time: 33:10

    preview
  • Chad & the Alien Toupee

    Short Film

    Run time: 8:46

    preview
  • Stable Boy

    Spec Pilot Presentation

    Run time: 7:41

    preview
  • The Pragmatist

    Trailer

    Run time: 1:09

    preview
  • The Pragmatist

    Spec TV Show Pilot

    Run time: 30:50

    preview
  • Music Video

    Rick Jones

    Run time: 4:00

    preview
  • Music Videos

    Skaie Knox & Hilliard

    Run time: 8:01

    preview
  • Commercials

    Milky Way (x3)

    Run time: 2:10

    preview

Vision Statement

 

 

I know that being a director is more about who I am than what I do. Joseph Conrad described this personal vision as, "the inward voice that decides." I think that is true.

I am not much for fancy camera moves or fancy transitions in post. I believe it is most effective to let the story and cast do the talking. If I am known for anything as a director it is that I always get great performances from my cast!

My vision allows me to see:

  • A path that leads to the best possible way to tell the story

  • The heart and emotion within a story that must be shared

  • The visual palate upon which to "paint"

  • Ways to work with cast and crew to achieve my goals

  • A finished film that we create on set.

Lets’ shoot something together!

 

Peter Paul Basler

 

Peter Paul Basler, Director

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Copyright © Peter Paul Basler. All rights reserved.