Meet Aleksander D’Avignon of Hangar B Studios

Today we’d like to introduce you to Aleksander D’Avignon.

Aleksander, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I started out as a stage actor at age 10 doing community theater productions. It was my social outlet. I had a lot of friends with similar interests. I hated school and didn’t really identify with anyone there. I found performance to be really rewarding and I had a tight circle of friends that shared that sentiment. I loved watching films and anime in my room and I knew I wanted to do that. I wanted to be in them but I just didn’t know how. I played metal in high school too. Little shows at church youth groups, friends’ birthday parties and even a couple venues in East County. I thought I was super cool.

Then I started community college and only really went to theater arts and philosophy classes. I hated college too. I had all these interests spread out and undeveloped but I didn’t like spending my time doing anything else. I then had an opportunity to do some missionary work overseas and I jumped on it. I couldn’t wait to get out. I went to The United Kingdom and Tanzania doing different work. Did some “soul-searching” while I was out there writing a lot, taking pictures, reading Beat Poets and listening to Radiohead (all very typical). I came back and just thought to myself, “I want to be in the film.” From that point, I started hunting CraigsList for acting gigs.

Started to pick up a few student films at SDSU, a couple small roles in non-paying features, making shorts with friends and doing stage productions. All the while working pizza delivery jobs, bartending and stage handing. I hadn’t played drums in several years at this point because I was focusing on acting and I was missing that too. I bought a Gretsch kit for like 250 bucks and started playing music my buddy Anderson and my co-worker Josh who previously played in a metal band called Kodiak. We picked up more musicians along the way (Clayton Ward and Phil Dupasquier) and formed Doc Hammer. We’ve been recording and playing shows since.

Hangar B Studios started in January. A filmmaker and close friend, Tyler French and I wanted to build a studio space in San Diego that would foster a creative collaborative environment. We found an airplane hangar available on craigslist and we fell in love with it the moment we set foot in it. Tyler has been leading the charge and I’ve been sort of his right-hand man for things we need in the space, We’ve been working hard to build a place
where filmmakers, actors, and artists can work together to build their careers.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I’ve done a lot of acting gigs that no-one saw with no pay, but it’s all apart of the learning experience. As far as the music goes, it’s been a pretty painless process because my bandmates have more experience than I do with how to navigate the scene and I’m following them through it. Basically, I feel like I’m still a student but I’m pursuing subjects that I give a shit about.

I’d also rather be broke and spending my time doing productive things in the areas I care about than the alternative.

So, as you know, we’re impressed with Hangar B Studios – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Hangar B Studios is interested in building working relationships with people who are passionate about what they do. For example, Production Crate is Visual Effects company that works out of the studio and Tyler and I collaborate with them on projects all the time.

We feel that the film community in San Diego could use a space that fosters collaborative creativity and builds a stronger film community. We focus on our actors too. There’s a lot that stands in the way of an actor having the tools necessary for them to succeed and we want to give them easier access to those tools.

So, what’s next? Any big plans?
Personally, I’d like my life to consist of acting in the film during the week and playing metal shows on the weekends. Since I was 14 I’ve always wanted both of those things and I feel like 14-year-old Aleks would be pretty happy with where 30-year-old Aleks is right now.

Down the road, I’d like to see those things developed further but I’m happy with the path I’m on. I’m working on starting a family too. So as far as big changes go, that’ll be a pretty big shift. But I’m looking forward to that, a lot.

Contact Info:

• Address: 3748 John J Montgomery Dr. Hangar B San Diego, CA 92123
• Website:  www.hangarbstudios.com
• Phone: 1-858-322-6350
• Email: aleksanderdavignon@gmail.com
• Instagram: @al54bx
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/aleksander.davignon

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