5 Questions with Lizzy Sanford
1) Can you talk briefly about your background, and how you first got interested in filmmaking?
I grew up believing in the unromantic notion that financial security is life's first priority. This is of course an acute reality, but it was a limiting belief for me in my early twenties. I initially saw my early interest in filmmaking as just that - an interest. I was a passionate musician but ended up working in the live music industry, wrestling with a lot of fear. When I realized I had no heroes in my community, I started exploring different jobs, kicking things around. I eventually ended up in a "creative producer" role at an advertising agency in LA (whatever that means). When the line producer of the company's first video commercial had a family emergency, I was plucked from my weekend plans to produce this three day shoot. I had no idea what I was doing, in fact I had to google 'dolly' when the DP asked where it was. Those three days were harrowing say the least, but I knew by the end of it that I was meant to be a director. I quit my job two weeks later and started making films right away. It was the happiest decision of my life.
2) What’s the backstory here - what was the initial idea and how did it evolve from there?
This film was intended to be a testing ground for these sister characters I've been writing in a feature script. I'm interested in the passive competition that often develops between sisters, and whether that is an innate female quality or something societally enforced - or both. Of course not all sister relationships are the same, but you can be ruthlessly mean to a sibling and its generally acceptable. I think that sort of dynamic is particularly alienating in the context of early sexual development and curiosity. I was also eager to work with Tess McMillan because I think she's absolutely captivating, so when she said yes we went ahead and made the film.
3) What was the biggest challenge in making this film? And generally what part of the creative process do you enjoy the most, and the least?
Quite aptly, the biggest challenge on this film was the lack of budget. Time is money and we didn't have much of that. I was playing director, AD and producer on this film - which is a lot to juggle in the brain.
I enjoy directing on set more than anything else creatively speaking. I love working hard to communicate my thoughts in the particular way that each crew member needs to hear them. I love how earnest a working film set can be when everyone believes in the story or the filmmaker behind it. The least enjoyable part for me is when the film is cut together and everything is technically "done." This is the moment when I begin to question my decisions, which can be torturous. I find it's best to just start writing something else, or take a walk, or call your mother.
4) What’s a film you’ve seen recently, new or old, that you really loved and why?
With this worldwide pandemic going on I've had a lot of time of my hands to watch and re-watch films. I recently put on Todd Hayne's Safe which felt appropriate for this bizarre time. Julianne Moore is a wonder to behold, obviously. Her character Carol comes down with a mysterious illness that doctors can't diagnose, so there's a lot of gaslighting going on and its simply gut-wrenching. I love the pacing of this film - the scenes are short and give just enough information to move the plot forward, no excess. The shot design is so simple and precise, it's the perfect visual accompaniment to her pervasive illness. I love that her character is painted as this fragile figure, when she's actually withstanding enormous pain throughout the story. And sound in the perm scene is just perfectly ominous.
5) What’s next for you?
I'm polishing off two feature scripts at the moment and hope to begin developing one of them this year. I have yet another short film in the works with my best pal and lead actress of The Knot Anna Cordell, which we will shoot this summer if covid-19 allows. I'm also trying to get hired in a writers' room this year. Wish me luck.
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http://lizzy.website
IG: @thepunctum