SXSW - Makeup
A young girl tries to get close to her absent mother by putting on her makeup, only to realize why she shouldn’t emulate her.
Interview with Writer/Director Hannah Whisenant
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
I made my film because I wanted to create a coming of age story about a girl within a broken household. I drew upon personal experiences, and centered the story around the simple act of putting on makeup. I remember watching my mother put on makeup and she told me that she used to watch her mother, and that’s how she learned. I didn’t live with my mother so I thought about how there were a lot of little moments like this that I didn’t always get to experience.
I saw it as a beautiful and sacred act but I wanted to give it somewhat of a disruptive spin. We see the main character, Natalie, using this first as a way to get close to her mother and her mother, Patrice, using it as a tool to manipulate and cover her tracks. We’re left wondering if this simple tradition will carry on to the young girl.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
Hmm, well you should watch this film because I think it presents a perspective that is not always clear in mainstream media. We rarely get to live the life of a young girl especially that of one in a chaotic household. I think it presents new ideas but also encompasses universal ones. It is a “when your heroes become human” tale, as we’re left wondering how these small event may affect the girl on a grander scale. And in a way that’s kind of life — isn’t it? Little moments that have big impacts.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
I think that anyone can relate to being a child that wants closeness and attention from their parents. When you’re young you don't see your parents as humans with flaws and their own lives outside of taking care of you. But there are those fundamental moments, where you do see their weaknesses, and it’s difficult for everyone involved. This film presents a moment just as that, and we don’t know how exactly this will affect this young girl as she grows into adulthood.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development and production?
The film has completely changed at almost every step of the process. I had about 11 drafts before we went into production, then I changed the script on set, did some improvisation, and then tore it all apart again in the editing room. I think the basic themes are there, and the story structure is there, but the performances in the moment - our errors and accomplishments in production and our limitations in post - made it into the film it is now. I think every director has a laundry list of things they would do differently now. I’m no different, but I’m pretty proud of the final result.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
I have received some good feedback. I think honestly it’s not the most comfortable film to watch, so at times people don’t want to talk much. The best conversations I’ve had though have been with recovered addicts or children of alcoholics and addicts that relate on some level. They have been especially gracious, and really that’s all that I can ask for. One person connecting with it means more than audience full of people who hate it.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
I was the most surprised by the amount of guys that reached out to me and said they were able to connect. It’s a very feminine film, I mean… it’s called Makeup! But so many dudes thanked me for making it and said it spoke to them which I thought was incredible. I think that made me realize that when you present a personal story, more often than not, people of seemingly different backgrounds will be able to relate to it. Humans really aren’t all that different.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
I just want my film to be seen by as many people as possible. I mean that’s the whole goal as an artist right? To share. It was not an easy film to make and I still have a difficult time sharing it, but I think it’s important to push the limits of a comfort zone. If I can connect with anyone through the fact of sharing, then that’s more than I could possibly have asked for when I set out to make this film.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
Interesting question… I’m not much of a marketer/self-promoter. Not too great at social media, talking myself or my work up — so maybe someone who is able to do that? But at this point I’m probably most interested in just getting the film screened at festivals and potentially playing online so it can get as much visibility as possible. I’m open to anyone that wants to help and feels moved by my film’s message.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
I hope that my film would encourage more people to share personal stories and more women to be involved in the production side of the film industry. We live in a doggy-dog-boy’s club world, and I want my ladies to know that our stories are important and we can make them with other women. I had a largely female crew. All the department heads were female, but we had a hard time finding women for G&E and Camera departments. I myself work in those departments and would love to see more women there. It’s intimidating for sure, but we can do it.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
Hmm, maybe why I chose to work with a primarily female cast and crew?
Would you like to add anything else?
I would like to reiterate that diversity of perspective and crews is important. As a young woman from the Texas Hill Country, I’ve gotten a lot of shit for being a feminist. I kind of felt like I was always arguing and fighting with people maybe to a fault. But as I’ve grown older I’ve found more female mentors and creators, and I see that my dreams are just as possible as that of my male-counter parts.
I think the best thing that any woman or minority can really do is just lead by example and don’t fear failure. Because we all fail and unfortunately for women and minorities those who are failures make us fall further, but the more we see others who look like us achieving what we want to achieve — the more capable we all become of inspiring true change.
What are the key creatives developing or working on now?
Dang, I’m not great at keeping up with the trends, but I will say that the way we consume media is definitely changing. Netflix and Hulu I think really have the right idea, and I would love to see more quality documentary and narrative series online. But I also thing that the love of pure cinema isn’t going to go away and we’re in an exciting time where people are craving media by more diverse perspectives. I think now more than ever we need to push for the voices of women and minorities to be heard. There’s no better medium, in my opinion, than through the image.
The democratization of film through its advancement in tools (digital age, etc.) is creating this amazing environment where we can publish quality work at a low price, and people are starting to realize just how important and interesting these stories are. I think we’re tired of what has been… of those with the privilege to create content’s voices always being the loudest. There’s so much, and maybe I didn’t answer that question at all. Key creatives are creating! And the best part is that the diversity of those creators is growing and blossoming.
Interview: March 2017
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We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series and music video. If you have just made a film - we'd love to hear from you. Or if you know a filmmaker - can you recommend us? More info: Carmela
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Makeup
A young girl tries to get close to her absent mother by putting on her makeup, only to realize why she shouldn’t emulate her.
Length: 9.5 min
Director: Hannah Whisenant
Producer: Dawn Tauriac
Writer: Hannah Whisenant
About the writer, director and producer:
HANNAH WHISENANT is a filmmaker who has a passion for storytelling through the use of images. Her short film Makeup (2015) has been selected to play at festivals such as Palm Springs Adjacent Festival, The Chain NYC Festival, SXSW 2017 and was shortlisted for the 2016 Bath Film Festival IMDb New Filmmaker Award. She has also shot several short narrative and documentary films, and she aims to continue telling stories in creative and collaborative ways all over the world.
DAWN TAURIAC is currently a Radio/TV/Film undergraduate at The University of Texas. Prior to returning to school, Dawn worked 9 years as a Human Resources Assistant for a small valve distribution company in Houston, TX. As a high school student, Dawn participated in several National Forensic League competitions and qualified for state her freshman year, competing in the category of duo interpretation. Dawn has always had a passion for the arts. She enjoys the art of storytelling and being a supportive part of the processing of telling new and interesting stories.
Key cast: Sage Flowers, Nannette Flowers, John Rabon
Looking for (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists): Distributers, Film Festival Directors, Journalists
Made in association with: University of Texas at Austin
Where can I see it in the next month?
Makeup will be playing on Thursday March 23rd at the Connect Film Festival Popup event for free. You can also keep track of screenings on our website: www.makeup-thefilm.com