Dror Soref facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Dror Soref
דרור סורף
Photo for the promotion of the film Not Forgotten
Born	Dror Soref Israel
Occupation	Writer, Director, and Producer
Years active	1983–present

Dror Soref (Hebrew: דרור סורף) is a talented filmmaker and someone who works to make society better. He started his directing career in 1983 with a music video for "Weird Al" Yankovic called I Love Rocky Road.

After studying film, Soref directed a short film called Platinum Blonde. This film was so good that it got the attention of Paramount Studios. They hired him to write and direct movies for them. His first big movie as a writer and director was The Seventh Coin, starring Peter O'Toole. This film won two awards in 1993, including Best Picture.

Later, Soref directed or produced many commercials and music videos. In 2003, he helped produce the movie Basic, which starred John Travolta and Samuel L. Jackson. In 2009, he wrote, directed, and produced the movie Not Forgotten. This film was praised by critics and was even nominated for a Saturn Award for Best Science Fiction film. It starred Simon Baker, Paz Vega, and Chloë Grace Moretz.

Early Life and Education

Dror Soref was born and grew up in Israel. His family has Spanish roots. He went to the University of Haifa and studied economics, sociology, and anthropology. While at university, he started a theater group that performed plays with political messages.

His studies were paused when he served as a lieutenant in the Israel Defense Forces. He was part of the elite Golani Brigade and served during several military events. His unit was recognized for being excellent.

While a student, Soref often wrote about how Israelis and Palestinians could get along. He even helped start a new political party with other retired officers. This party played an important part in the government led by Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin in the 1990s. When he was 23, Soref was even nominated to run for the Knesset, which is like Israel's parliament. One of his articles, written years before, shared ideas similar to the first peace treaty between Israelis and Palestinians, known as the Oslo Accords.

Soref became interested in filmmaking during his last year at the University of Haifa. He joined a film workshop. To learn more about film, he moved to the United States. He first attended the San Francisco Art Institute and then the Cinema School at the University of Southern California (USC).

Career in Filmmaking

After finishing his studies at USC in the mid-1980s, Dror Soref directed the music video for "I Love Rocky Road" for "Weird Al" Yankovic. This video helped "Weird Al" become a famous star.

His success with music videos led him to direct Platinum Blonde, a short film starring Karen Black and a young Elizabeth Berkley. This film was nominated for an award at the Chicago International Film Festival. It caught the eye of the President of Paramount Studios, who then hired Soref to create projects for them.

With Paramount's help, The Seventh Coin became Soref's first full-length movie as a writer and director. The film starred Peter O'Toole and won awards at the Philadelphia Film Festival and Worldfest Houston. In 1997, Soref also directed several episodes of the popular children's TV show, Power Rangers.

While at Paramount, Soref started his own company called Orbit Productions. He directed or produced over 100 TV commercials and music videos for big brands like Ford, Coca-Cola, Toyota, McDonald's, and Fujifilm. Some of his commercials were even shown during the Super Bowl and Academy Awards.

Later, Soref signed a deal with Phoenix Pictures to direct movies. The first movie under this deal was Basic, starring John Travolta and Samuel L. Jackson. This film was released by Columbia Pictures.

In 2009, Soref finished Not Forgotten, a film he directed, co-wrote, and produced. It starred Simon Baker, Paz Vega, Claire Forlani, and Chloë Grace Moretz in one of her first big roles. The film was shown at the Slamdance Film Festival and received great reviews from The Hollywood Reporter and Daily Variety.

In 2011, Soref was one of the producers for Twist: An American Musical. This play was based on the classic story by Charles Dickens and was directed by Emmy award-winner Debbie Allen. It was performed at The Pasadena Playhouse and received excellent reviews.

In 2014, Soref started a company called Nova Filmhouse, Inc. This studio creates movies, TV shows, and other content for all kinds of screens, from phones to movie theaters. Soref is the CEO of this company.

Social Reformer and Philanthropy

Dror Soref has been involved in helping others since he was young. He has helped feed people who are homeless and supported causes in other countries. He also works to fight unfairness wherever he sees it.

He works with non-profit groups like the Aleph Institute, which helps families of people serving in the US Armed Forces. He also supports Equal Justice Under the Law, which works to make sure everyone is treated fairly in the legal system. He was also a director on the board of the Greater Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce, helping to create job opportunities for young people in Los Angeles.

Most recently, Soref started RCI (Rebel with a Cause Institute). This organization helps new artists create movies, TV shows, and other content that promotes good values and ideas. You can learn more at SorefSocialReform.org.

Filmography

Dror Soref has directed two independent feature films and worked with famous actors like Peter O'Toole, Simon Baker, and Paz Vega.

Soref has also directed or produced over 100 music videos and commercials, mostly through his company Orbit Entertainment Group.

Images for kids

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  Photo for the promotion of the film Not Forgotten