D.R. Pedraza
(Novelist, screenwriter, Director, Producer, lyricist, Editor)
Born
January 12, 1965 (age 48)
Laredo, Texas, United States
Real Name
David Rodney Pedrazine
Occupation
Novelist, Screenwriter, Lyricist, Director
Producer, Editor and Actor
Genres
drama, historical fiction, fiction, fantasy
rock, country, blues, metal
Children
Blake Meyer
Influences
David Eddings, Stephen King, Piers Anthony
Robert Rodriguez, Billy Bob Thornton
Frank Sinatra, Doug Sahm, Neal Peart
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Background
D. R. Pedraza is an American born author of Royal Spanish descent. He is an author of historical fiction, fantasy and drama as well as a lyricist and screenwriter. His first novel, The Solomon Chronicles: Sangre del Unico, was published by Iuniverse Publishing in 2008. He produced his first short film, The Last Rose, in June of 2010.
In April of 2012, a screenplay penned by Pedraza, "Gentlemen Gunfighters," was named a finalist in the Charleston International Film Festival. Pedraza has collaborated with multi-talented musician Michael Guerra, a member of the Grammy Award winning Country Western band The Mavericks, writing songs for Guerra's debut disc released in July 2012.
In August 2012, Pedraza formed a team, The DB Players, and entered the 2012 48-HR Film Project. The movie titled "To Protect and Serve" stars veteran actors Patricia Vonne, Eric Reinholt and Glynn Praesel.
In 2013, Pedraza's screenplay "Love Death" was picked up for production by San Antonio's Picturesque Media. This film is the first for the character "Jude Quinn" which Pedraza has been honing over the last eight years.
Also in 2013, Pedraza is contributing songs for the 2nd Michael Guerra Band record.
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Early life
Pedrazine was born in Laredo, Texas, the third son of Trinidad Salinas and Richard Pedrazine. At an early age the family moved from Laredo to San Antonio. When Pedrazine was six years old, he sent a complete Star Trek script accompanied by crayon illustrations to the local CBS affiliate (KENS-TV) that was airing reruns of the canceled series. He received a letter back from the station manager praising him for his writing abilities but also informing him that the series had been out of production for nearly ten years. This was the "lightning rod moment" that set him on his course of writing stories.
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Education and Early Creativity
Pedrazine attended Beacon Hill Elementary but it was at Mark Twain Junior High School that his creativity exploded. He credits one particular teacher, Brenda Foley, for the success he would find later in life.
"Brenda Foley brought light to my life and opened my eyes to the world of drama, art and writing. She was a creative genius that kept my world in balance when my life at home was in turmoil."
After Junior High, Pedrazine attended Thomas A. Edison High where his creative activity was curtailed as he followed his elder brother Richard's footsteps and entered the schools Reserve Officers Training Corp (ROTC) . He was an active member through his Junior year. Pedrazine did not return for his Senior year as he wished to be a "normal" student.
After military service, Pedrazine went back to school. He enrolled at the University of Texas at San Antonio where, after reading a "pathetic" edition of Sports in the school paper, The Paisano, he immediately went to apply to write sports. Within two months, Pedrazine was the Sports Editor with two reporters under him.
During his military career, Pedrazine attended a number of institutions to include:
Pikes Peak Community College
The University of Chicago
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Military Service
Immediately after High School, Pedrazine joined the United States Army at the San Antonio MEPPS Station and by September of 1983 entered basic training at Fort Knox, Kentucky as a Private First Class (E-3). Immediately after basic training, Pedrazine was assigned the MOS 54 C, Chemical Operations Specialist and sent to Fort McClellan, Alabama for Advanced Individual Training (AIT) .
Pedrazine served in the following units:
1. 25th Chemical Company, 8th Infantry Division – Bad Kreuznach, USAEUR
2. Personnel Administration School – Ft. Ben Harrison, IN
3. lst Battalion, 29th Field Artillery, 4th Infantry Division – Fort Carson, Co.
4. 5th Battalion, 3rd Air Defense Artillery, 8th Infantry Division, Wackernheim, USAEUR
5. 5th Battalion, 3rd Air Defense Artillery, Attached to 3rd Armored Division for Desert Storm
Commendations and Awards
Army Service Ribbon
Driver and Mechanic Badge
Expert Marksmanship Badge
National Defense Service Medal
Overseas Service Ribbon X 2
Good Conduct Medal X 2
Army Achievement Medal X 5
NCO Professional Development Ribbon
Army Commendation Medal (For Exemplary Service During Operations Desert Shield & Desert Storm)
Southwest Asia Service Medal w/2 Bronze Service Stars
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Film Work
Pedrazine worked as an extra in a number of films produced in Texas. He credits the cast and crew of the film "All The Pretty Horses" starring Matt Damon, Henry Thomas and Penelope Cruz, for his move from acting to writing and directing especially crediting Film Director Billy Bob Thornton as being the major reason. "He allowed me to study him closely during filming," Pedraza said. "And I got to see the passion in what he was doing and I wanted to be a part of it."
Pedraza's first short film, "The Last Rose" was shot in 2010 but never released due to disagreements with the cinematographer/editor. It is scheduled to be re-filmed at some time in the future.
In August of 2012, Pedraza formed a troupe named The DB Players and entered the 48-Hour Film Project - San Antonio. "To Protect and Serve" was written, directed, produced and edited by Pedraza.
Pedraza pitched "Love Death" a short film which serves as a vehicle to introduce his character "Jude Quinn," Former Army Ranger/NSA Agent turned Private Detective. "We're looking to pitch this as a series, possibly beginning as a web series, but this is definitely Spike TV, Showtime, HBO stuff," Pedraza said. Filming begins May 2013.
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DB Media Entertainment
Formed at the end of 2008, DB Media's first production was the San Antonio Tardeada Music Festival which featured four Grammy Award winning acts. The show was held at Ruben's Place in Selma Texas.
Writing Under a Pseudonym
Pedrazine chose to use a pseudonym in recognition of his Ancestral Name of Pedraza and can trace his families heritage over 35 generations back to 370 AD and Pharamond, King of the Salian Franks, who's offspring would form all of and split into the many kingdoms of Europe.
The Solomon Chronicles: Sangre del Unico
The first novel published under the name Pedraza was "The Solomon Chronicles: Sangre del Unico." It was published in 2009 by Iuniverse and tells the tale of a man in the 14th Century who discovers he is the only remaining blood descendant of King Solomon, and is thrust into a battle of good vs. evil with the fate of not only Europe but mankind on the line. The novel took 10 years to research and two years to write. He is currently writing book two of a planned series of five. The book is available worldwide and is distributed by Amazon and Barnes and Noble in the United States and by Sony in Canada.
Screenplays
All screenplays are penned under the name Pedraza and include the Charleston International Film Festival 2012 Finalist "Gentlemen Gunfighters" and "Wake Traci," a current Semi-Finalist in The Screenplay Festival. "Love Death" is currently in Pre-Production and begins production May 2013.
Music
A registered BMI songwriter, Pedraza has written a number of songs for San Antonio accordionist Michael Guerra and his Band. Songs include 2012's "Break Away" on Guerra's debut record and songs performed live to include "Such A Girl Like That," "Santa Loves San Antone" "Living Out Your Lies," and "She Loved Too Big."
Children
Pedrazine has one son, Blake, with former girlfriend Patricia Meyer. Blake is currently a member of the United States Army's 82nd Airborne Corp and has participated in the Iraq War.
Pedrazine met his first wife Lesley McPherson while in school at Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indiana. They were married at South of the Border in South Carolina.
Family History
COMING SOON!
