Behind the Scenes

The production of Am I See You? was overshadowed by a loss that shook the foundation of the studio. When Hank Della passed away, the grief hit Daryl with the force of a physical blow. In the face of this overwhelming emotion, Daryl reverted to the only coping mechanism he knew: he went into production mode. Taking the reins from his mother and grandmother, Daryl produced his father’s funeral as if it were a film. He managed every cue and every detail, a decision that caused friction with his grandmother, who felt sidelined in the planning. Daryl held his ground, telling her he was doing it to spare her the burden, but in truth, it was his way of maintaining control amidst the chaos of heartbreak.

The service was a cinematic reflection of the man. As Daryl stood stoically before his weeping friends and family, refusing to shed a tear in public, the soaring notes of Ennio Morricone’s The Ecstasy of Gold—Hank’s favorite piece of music—echoed through the church. It was an out-of-body experience, a surreal tracking shot of grief.

The final act of the service presented a harrowing choice. The funeral director approached Daryl, his brother, and his mother, asking who would perform the final closing of the casket. The question landed like a punch in the gut; whoever accepted this task would carry the memory of that final seal for the rest of their life. Without hesitation, Daryl stepped forward to protect his mother and brother from that trauma. He placed his hand on the lid and slowly lowered it, watching the shadow fall across his father’s face for the last time. It was the single most painful moment of his life, a traumatic image that would manifest in nightmares and flashbacks for years to come.

If the funeral was Daryl’s burden to bear alone, the memorial film was a burden shared. In a moment of grace, it was Michael who suggested the project. Daryl had planned a simple dedication for Am I See You?, similar to the one for his grandfather the previous year. Michael insisted they go further, suggesting they gather the entire cast and crew to record interviews and tell Hank’s story properly.

The production of A Tribute to Hank Della became a reunion. Gino Vigil flew up from Los Angeles on his own dime to pay his respects. Chris Cairo returned to the front of the camera one more time to record his remembrances. Tyler Della, Jack Lewkowitz, Ed Kayser—they were all there. The editing process was arduous; Daryl struggled to trim the footage, eventually deciding to leave almost everything in, feeling that every story was essential to the portrait of his father.

The most poignant moment of the production occurred during Daryl’s own interview. Accustomed to being behind the camera or hiding behind a character, Daryl found himself unable to access the necessary vulnerability. He was guarded, reading stiffly from a prepared script, trying to "perform" his grief rather than feel it. For the first time in years, the tables turned completely. Michael Martin stepped in to direct. He stopped the take and coached Daryl with a simple patience. He told Daryl to put the script away, to breathe, and to take his time. Under Michael’s direction, Daryl finally let his guard down, speaking from the heart.

The Tribute premiered alongside Am I See You?, serving as a public eulogy for the man who named the company. But historically, it serves another purpose. It stands as a reminder of the bond that still remained between the partners. Despite the audits, the vetoes, and the friction, when the sky fell, Michael Martin was there to help catch it.