Rick Darge was born in South Plainfield, New Jersey, and his fascination with filmmaking began at a remarkably early age. As a young enthusiast, he would often enlist the participation of his family members to star in his amateur short films and mock infomercials. This early start laid the foundation for his future endeavors in the world of cinema.
As he progressed through high school, Darge's creative pursuits continued to flourish, and he began directing music videos, short films, documentaries, and even an independent high school movie titled Broken Strings. This eclectic mix of projects not only showcased his versatility but also instilled in him a deep understanding of the various aspects of filmmaking.
After completing his education at the University of Southern California's esteemed Film School in 2004, Darge earned a degree in Cinema-Television. The next few years saw him honing his skills in post-production, working on a diverse range of projects, including feature-length documentaries, commercials, television specials, and more.
Darge's journey eventually led him to transition into cinematography, a field in which he would go on to achieve great success. His work on Satacracy 88, one of the first web series programs to be nominated for an Emmy award, earned him a prestigious accolade, further solidifying his reputation within the industry.
Finally, Darge made his long-awaited writing and directorial debut with the award-winning film Zen Dog, starring Kyle Gallner, Adam Herschman, and featuring the spoken words of the late philosopher Alan Watts. This critically acclaimed film cemented Darge's status as a talented and innovative filmmaker, and his body of work continues to inspire and captivate audiences to this day.
