5 Questions with Mary Dauterman
We’re premiering today two horror-ish comedy-ish short shorts by Mary Dauterman. We asked her how the projects started, the biggest challenges involved, and what comes next for her…
1) Can you talk briefly about your background, and how you first got interested in filmmaking?
I’ve always been a big fan of movies, but discovering filmmaking as something I could pursue myself was a combination of constantly being on set and in edits for my job at the time (as an agency art director), and getting very into watching short films online. (I love them.)
2) Can you talk about the origins of both of these films - what were the initial ideas and how did they evolve from there?
The origin of Wakey Wakey was a day of being mad at my boyfriend for vague, self-invented dream reasons. When I was over it, it seemed funny, so I wrote a script and forgot about it. I revisited it months later because out of everything I’d been writing, I thought I could actually pull it off. After a massive rewrite, I asked some producer friends for help finding a blood/guts person. Not only did they do that, they wanted to help me make it, which was very kind and elevated it beyond something I was just going to shoot in my bedroom. Although we did still shoot it in my bedroom.
I’d ambitiously planned on shooting 2 shorts on one day, and then added Elizabeth as a 3rd last minute, because that is the sensible thing to do when your friend lets you shoot in her haunted-looking house and you want to take full advantage. My friend Meagan was coming out to help, and I surprise-upgraded her to the role of Elizabeth (she is a very talented actress so that worked out beautifully). We shot it in about 3 hours waiting for the sun to set in between the other 2 shorts (which are called Pumbucha and Marys).
3) What were the biggest challenges in making these film? And generally what part of the creative process do you enjoy the best, and the least?
I don’t think I’ve ever shot something that wasn’t about to get rained out or about to lose sunlight. Figuring out what to lose because of things you can’t control is a bummer.
I really like the momentum after finalizing a script, making moves towards it actually existing. And I love working with friends, making our ideas real together. I owe so much to my DP Kenny Suleimanagich saying “yeah sure” and my cowriter (and often actor) Jenny Donheiser being like “that’s not crazy let’s do it.” Friends are good :).
The most horrible part of the process is watching down the first cut of anything but I am learning that’s always going to be the case.
4) What’s a film you’ve seen recently, new or old, that you really loved and why?
I saw Diamontino a few months ago and just grinned like an idiot through the entire thing. It’s political satire/sci fi/romance (?) about a clueless Portuguese soccer star who gets caught up in a government conspiracy. It has one of the funniest needle drop moments I’ve ever seen and puppies feature heavily in the story. I’m so glad it exists.
5) What’s next for you?
I just finished post on a comedy-horror called Unfinished Business. It has gore, choreography, and more than 2 actors, very ambitious. I also just finished a piece for Adult Swim that’s going to be airing in the middle of the night next week (on Off the Air!). Right now, I’m in a writing hole working on what’s next. Hopefully it’s good!