Notre Dame and famed film school part of alum’s creative training ground.
When Danny Santos graduated from Notre Dame Prep, he pretty much knew which direction he wanted to take his college education and ultimately his career.
After leaving NDP in 2011, he enrolled in cinema studies at Oakland University, and then, in January 2015, transferred to the University of Southern California’s School of Cinematic Arts, the most competitive film school in the United States, where the likes of George Lucas, Ron Howard, John Carpenter and Judd Apatow among many other movie royalty also have studied.
He said NDP prepared him well for the rigor of such a prestigious film school by providing its own eclectic mix of arts, academics and leadership opportunities.
“At Notre Dame, I could do the arts and participate in activities such as Kairos, which I led on my senior year,” said Santos, “and sports such as wrestling. I think because of my drive, I was able to become captain of the wrestling team my senior year. I truly believe without the resources that NDP offered me, the variety, the amazing and encouraging staff and faculty, and the warm support and friendship of my peers, I would not be where I am today, and I’m so thankful to NDP for those experiences.”
Where Santos is today, geographically, is in southern California. Where he is creatively is a bit more complicated. That’s because he’s managed to combine an inherent talent in music with his love of film — which incidentally was manifested at Notre Dame — into a budding career as a recording musician and producer of videos. In fact, this summer, he will be doing an internship at a music and film production company called GreenLight Media and Marketing, where he will assist on film shoots and other creative projects. Greenlight’s clients include the Dave Matthews Band, Alabama Shakes and Lady Antebellum as well as corporate clients like UnderArmour and Hyundai along with complete music festivals like Bonaroo.
Notre Dame alum Danny Santos (’11) began to consider a career in filmmaking and music while a student at Notre Dame Prep.
He said what he loves about film and music is that the work is collaborative and that it takes teamwork to make the best projects come together. “And thanks to NDP, I have truly found my passions and strengths as someone who can work creatively and as a team leader,” he said.
‘Spirited’ student
During his senior year at NDP band camp, Santos was given the “Most Spirited” award and at graduation he was awarded the “Spirit of the Fighting Irish” for exemplifying the standards expected from NDP students. He also received a plaque for his leadership on the NDP wrestling team.
“Aside from my Notre Dame experience,” Santos said, “I also think that my personal need to express myself and create something to share with the world is a direct result of the infinite unconditional love and support of my parents, who have truly helped me make all my dreams come true so far. My father worked very hard to be able to send me to schools such as Notre Dame Prep and USC and I would not be where I am today without both my parents.”
Now looking forward to graduation from USC soon with his degree in cinema and media studies, Santos is wasting no time in getting into a career in producing and directing films, film scores, and creating original singer/songwriter material. Early this year, Santos began an IndieGoGo campaign to help fund an album of original songs and compositions.
“The IndieGoGo campaign goal was to raise $10,000 in an attempt to fund the recording and producing of an album of my original singer/songwriter and film-scoring material,” he said. “My goal is to release this album by December 2016, fully recorded, produced and packaged. As a singer/songwriter in Los Angeles, I’ve performed at locations on Hollywood Boulevard, Sunset Boulevard, and downtown LA, and as a film scorer I’m writing music for my own film works as well as for fellow USC cinematic arts students.”
Santos plays club dates in and around Los Angeles, where he now lives and attends school at USC.
Santos’ campaign went from February 1 to March 31, and while he fell short of his $10,000 goal, he was able to raise $7,300 from family, friends, and others. With the money raised, he said he will be going forward with recording his album, which will be titled "The Prophet," and consist of 12 original songs within a concept following the journey of a young prophet as he meets many different characters and scenarios along his journey to following a call to spirituality, according to Santos.
New album in the works includes musical help from another Notre Dame alum
“I will be recording from July 11-17 at Bedrock LA, a recording studio that has featured clients such as Beck, Cat Power, Edward Sharp, Fitz and the Tantrums, Group Love, MGMT, Reggie Watts, The Shins, Skrillex, and Thom Yorke of Radiohead, among many other great musicians,” he said. “The studio has had a wide range of clientele and I'm really looking forward to recording there.”
Santos said the album will feature many different styles and instrumentations, ranging from simple folk with acoustic guitar and percussion to lush arrangements with vocal soprano, cello, french horn, oboe, harp, violin, and flute to rock arrangements with electric guitar and drum kits.
“Jessica Thomas, also an NDP alum who studied flute at Michigan State, will be providing the flute for the album,” Santos said. “Also, I’ll be doing arrangements in collaboration with Liza Wallace, a harp player in California who studied with the same harp teacher as singer-songwriter and actress Joanna Newsom.”
If all goes as planned, Santos said the record will be released on January 7, 2016, in Michigan. He said they are planning a record-release party in the Metro Detroit area on January 7.
“The ultimate goal of the project is to create 12 original music videos in collaboration with other filmmakers, either at USC's Cinematic Arts School or friends of mine in Los Angeles and Detroit,” Santos said. “After the videos are made, I hope to submit them to film festivals as a way of promoting the record.”
Promoting his former high school and inspiring future “dreamers” at his alma mater also are never far from Santos’ thinking either.
“I hope one day I can be an example for future NDPMA students the same way that other people inspired me,” Santos said. “I would love to come back to the school and give a speech to students about following their dreams. I’d love to share my music with the students, and one day I’d love to be able to give back to the school through donations when I make my own dreams of becoming a famous director, film scorer, and singer/songwriter come true!”
Comments or questions? mkelly@ndpma.org.
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About Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy
Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy is a private, Catholic, independent, coeducational day school located in Oakland County. The school's upper division enrolls students in grades nine through twelve and has been named one of the nation's best 50 Catholic high schools (Acton Institute) four times since 2005. Notre Dame's middle and lower divisions enroll students in jr. kindergarten through grade eight. All three divisions are International Baccalaureate "World Schools." The Marist Fathers and Brothers sponsor NDPMA's Catholic identity and manage its educational program. Notre Dame is accredited by the National Association of Independent Schools, the Independent Schools Association of the Central States and the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement. For more on Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy, visit the school's home page at www.ndpma.org.