Danny Herbert is a creative force waiting to be unleashed upon the world. He's previously written a groundbreaking column for this site called the Hackney Herb's Film Rant. I spoke to him to get inside the source of his creativity.

Rawle Austin: It's been a while since the last Hackney Herb's Film Rant, could you introduce yourself to Growlersworld.com readers?

Danny Herbert: I’m a youthful 38 year old with a lovely wife and 2 kiddies.

Alas I no longer live in Hackney, but hey, couldn’t really get the same alliterative nickname from Walthamstow.

I have worked on a number of short films and a couple of low budget features in various roles.

DH: Wizard of Oz. It was my first visit to see it at the cinema and although I had to be taken out when the wicked witch scared me, it certainly made a huge impression on me.

RA: You've worked on an independent film, could you describe the film making process through that experience?

DH: Insane.

RA: Who are your top three favourite directors of all time and why?

DH: Difficult question who are your top blah, blahs, because they are always changing and there are so many who would be up there.

Anyway off the top of my head. [Martin]Scorsese – when he hits the mark he cannot be beaten for understanding of the medium, perfect use of the camera, music, actors and editing.

RA: What does film offer exclusively as a storytelling medium, in your opinion?

DH: Flexibility. It can tell a story visually, without any sound. Or visually with just music. Or visually with music and words. It can be colour, black and white, or both.

It can be live action, or animation or computer generated. It offers a wealth of options for telling a story.

RA: Who are your favourite 3 actors at the moment and why?

DH: Do you mean contemporary? If so, I would say, Johnny Depp – odd ball. Another maverick. And for the Keith Richards impression in pirates.

Bill Murray- always been a fan but have loved his recent work particularly Life Aquatic and Lost in Translation.]

RA: Please name your top 5 films of all time and describe their merits?

DH: As with [the question about favourite actors] this will fluctuate.

But today:

1. Goodfellas – Brilliant from the first frame to the last.

2. The Third Man – Beautiful, dark, great combination of Reed, Greene and Welles. Great storytelling.

3. Taxi Driver – That opening shot with the score still sends a shiver down my spine.

4. Touch of Evil – That famous opening shot, a dark masterpiece.

RA: What are the big issues facing the film industry at the moment, in your opinion?

DH: The dominance of the corporate world/Hollywood combined with a lack of creativity.

Just look at all the bloody remakes.

RA: Where do you see the film industry in ten years?

DH: Facing the same dilemmas as above. Perhaps actors will be getting worried by the preponderance of CGI which will become increasingly lifelike which in combination with advances in computer voice generation will make them redundant.

Perhaps we will see a revival of the theatre.

RA: Do you have a favourite genre of film and if so, what?

DH: Gangster movies. Various reasons, remember watching them as a kid on BBC2. All the old Warner Bros ones with the likes of Cagney.