Sarah Stephens Spills the Beans on Directing, Writing, and Atlanta's Indie Film Scene
Welcome to Creator/Shift, where we explore the creative journeys and insights of talented individuals in the digital arts and entertainment industry. In today's episode, our host Erika Christie sits down with the multi-talented filmmaker and actor, Sarah Stephens. Sarah shares her journey into the world of filmmaking and acting, starting from her beginnings in sketch comedy to her foray into directing, editing, and producing. She provides valuable tips for aspiring actors and filmmakers and discusses her experiences in the indie film community in Atlanta. Join us as we delve into the mind of the dynamic Sarah Stephens and gain valuable insights into the creative process of a multifaceted artist.
❇️ In this episode you will find:
What tips did Sarah share for those looking to get into acting, and why does she emphasize the importance of taking a class?
In what ways does Sarah find it important to communicate with actors as a director, especially when directing the projects she's written and acted in herself?
What are Sarah's insights on the importance of casting a project correctly, and how does she ensure alignment with the vision during limited shooting time?
Sarah's approach to projects she has written vs. projects written by others
The impact of being a writer on the directorial approach
The role of shared experiences in evoking laughter
Why does Sarah enjoy being involved in multiple aspects of the filmmaking process, and what does she believe are the benefits of being engaged from the beginning to the end?
How does Sarah approach projects differently when she has written them versus when someone else has written them? What are the key considerations in each scenario?
How does Sarah define the essence of what makes people laugh, and what insights did she share about the shared experience of laughter?
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Erika Christie is the host of Creator/Shift and as a Filmmaker/Writer/Producer has worked professionally in many different fields. Erika will be interviewing all types of amazing art-folk and delving into the best ways that artists up skill themselves- meaning, what they do to better themselves and their artwork. We'll also be putting a special focus on transitioning your skills into new artistic mediums and how to best work and collaborate with artists who have very different skill sets from your own.
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TRANSCRIPT
Erika Christie:
What made you get into filmmaking acting in the first place?
Sarah Stephens:
Well, I started out doing sketch comedy live, so I took a sketch writing class with Michael Sokol at Highwire theater, which is a great theater that is no longer here. But it was like I formed a really great friendship with that class, and then that class kind of turned. Turned into a sketch team, and we did a bunch of live things. And then I think it just kind of naturally progressed into filming and creating filmed sketch content.
Erika Christie:
What kind of tips do you have for someone who wants to get into acting?
Sarah Stephens:
Oh, take a class. I think that that was a really helpful thing that I did when I first decided I wanted to really get into acting was take a class, because then you're meeting other actors at all different levels. You're getting a feel for what's out there and kind of the community, and then, yeah, just start finding people that want to film stuff and find, like, a close group of friends who have a similar interest in creating things that you're interested in creating. I think those two things helped me immensely when I first started acting.
Erika Christie:
What was your experience like working with actors when you first started directing? Like, what interesting things did you notice?
Sarah Stephens:
Good question. Well, so everything I've directed are things that I also wrote and acted in, so I feel like I haven't gotten the true directing experience of just coming in. Oh, that's not true, actually. I just recently directed a short that I did not write and was not in. But I think for me, the main thing was figuring out how to communicate with the actors and give them helpful notes and direction that aren't confusing or aren't line readings. I think there's a skill to giving notes to get what you want and kind of leaving enough space to let them be themselves and bring what they're bringing to the character, because that's ultimately the most interesting thing, is when you see someone bringing something unique and specific and human to the character. So I think it's finding that balance of giving the notes but also letting that character breathe and be a human and be imperfect.
Erika Christie:
How important is it to cast a project correctly?
Sarah Stephens:
I would say pretty important. I mean, I feel like we've all seen those movies where it just feels like someone is totally miscast. I've been really lucky in that everything that I have cast, I have been able to have at least one rehearsal before we even get to the day of filming, which has helped. I think that helped a lot with making sure we were all on the same page when it came the time to shoot. Because once you're shooting, especially these shorts, you have maybe four to 6 hours. If you're lucky. If you are really lucky, you have a whole day, but you don't get to spend a whole lot of time with the cameras rolling. So I think making sure that you get the people that you want and as much as you can, having those rehearsals and those conversations with the actor and the DP and the crew of what you want the vision to be.
Erika Christie:
Since you do multiple things, acting, directing, editing, producing, writing, everything, why is it that you wanted to do all of those things and not stay in just one?
Sarah Stephens:
Probably because I have issues with control would be the real answer. But I think the creating of something is so fun, and I love being involved from the beginning to the end. And I think it's one of those things. Like, I think especially as a writer, when you're writing, you get such a specific vision in your head. And I think that's why a lot of writers become directors, is because they want to have that control of their script and that vision of what they were writing come to fruition. Which sometimes when you turn it over to someone else, it's very interesting to see what it could become. But it might not be that thing that was in your head. So I think there's value in both.
Sarah Stephens:
There's value in writing something and then letting it go. But then I think there's a value in writing something and seeing it all the way through, to see what you can create and what you can piece together and what it starts in your head as and what it ends up on the screen as is such an interesting process to me.
Erika Christie:
How do you approach projects differently if you've written them versus if someone else has written them?
Sarah Stephens:
When I write them, I feel like I tend to be a little more organized. I think because I start developing my plan of how to make it as I'm writing it just naturally. Like in my head, I'll start thinking through the shots that I want or how I want the edit to be or who might be a good person to cast. I think if I'm brought onto someone else's project. It takes a minute to figure out how involved they want me to be and how much of the role they want me to take on versus how much they want it to still be kind of their baby. So I think figuring out that dynamic of, okay, I'm just in this one lane, and this is what I'm really going to focus on versus when it's something that I've written, I kind of have a bigger overall vision for it.
Erika Christie:
What do you think the importance of the indie film community is in Atlanta?
Sarah Stephens:
I think it's really important because I think we have some incredibly talented people here, and I think that some of the stuff that Atlanta is making is mind blowingly good. I see some of the stuff that people have made and just some of the talent we have here. And I think as we continue to grow more and more, people are kind of recognizing that Atlanta has a lot to offer, but giving space for people who don't have the big budgets, don't have the big representation. To just create things and try things is such a powerful, beautiful thing, and some of the best work comes out of it.
Erika Christie:
What makes people laugh?
Sarah Stephens:
Jokes? I guess the more serious answer would be, I think what makes people laugh is shared experiences and just feeling the same thing. I guess. At the same time, I think it's that thing of, like, it's why when you're alone watching something, you might not laugh out loud, but when you're in a group, all of a sudden you have this energy and you're laughing out loud, and it feels so great. And I think it's because it's a shared experience. So I think that's what makes people laugh.