On Directing For The First Time And Writing Everyday: Stephanie Halovanic
This summer, we’re checking in with our members and friends on the meaning of abundance.
As we get ready for The Front Festival, we sat down with one of this year’s featured filmmakers, Stephanie Halovanic. Stephanie shares her experience directing for the first time, as well as her thoughts on finding the courage to create.
For more details on The Front Fest, head here.
MEET STEPHANIE HALOVANIC.
Stephanie (she/her) is a writer and director based in NYC and Austin. But Humble Sinners is her first film.
She's worked as a writer and art director in advertising and runs a photo and film studio called Halo House with her sister. She's interested in writing coming-of-age stories about every stage of life on stylized, art-directed backdrops. She was born in Dallas, studied print journalism in Missouri and became a grown-up in NYC.
Next, she hopes to make feature called Penance, a coming-of-age comedy about a Catholic school girl preparing for her first confession. Think Rushmore meets Pippi Longstocking meets the Sacraments. She also hopes to turn But Humble Sinners into a series.
No. 1 — Let’s talk script! What sorts of inspirations / musings led to the creation of But Humble Sinners?
But Humble Sinners is the product of practice. One night during the pandemic, I wanted to get better at writing dialogue. I opened my computer and just started to write. I wrote the first draft of But Humble Sinners that night, and I began directing straight on the page—thinking through colors and music and all of the things that make a script come to life.
I went to Catholic school my whole life, so the religious motifs are no surprise. And lastly, the adventures of female friendship are the building blocks of my life, so I am not a bit surprised that this fuels so much of what But Humble Sinners is.
No. 2 — From casting to crew, BHS was a community affair. Any advice for other indie filmmakers in Texas?
Making a film is the ultimate group project. My advice is to seek out people who are passionate and great at what they do. Then the hard part comes: letting go and trusting them to do their thing. So much about directing and making a film is listening to your instincts. When do you outsource something? When do you fight for an idea? When do you let an idea go?
For example, I was set on playing one of the nuns in But Humble Sinners, but I was a first-time director (really a “first-time” everything), and I had to let that go. And, boy, am I glad I did because I found the perfect nuns who have become life long friends and taught me so much about acting and art.
No. 3 — What does nurturing abundance in your creative life look like right now? Got any rituals or practices you particularly love around filmmaking (or otherwise)?
I try to write every single day. Just 20 minutes. I set the timer on my phone and open a page. The rule is no editing, only writing. Some days it’s torture and other days I go on to write for a whole hour(s). I wrote one of my favorite short screenplays with this method, with ideas that came from god knows where.
I find I’m less precious and more playful during these writing sessions. On top of that, I love taking classes and learning from new people. This fall I’m taking an acting class! And finally, I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge my main muse: New York City. From the top of the Empire State Building to my neighborhood curmudgeons, the energy of the city inspires me more and more every day.
No. 4— What has art-making brought to your life? Anything in particular you’d like to share / reflect on?
Giving yourself the freedom to create and to make just for you and no one else is mandatory to survive this crazy world. If you ever have an urge to make—paint, write, act, puppeteer—do it. When art calls, answer with an artist.
No. 5 — What do you hope for the future of your creative work?
I hope to make film and television that is weird and wacky and relatable—push myself to think experimentally and honestly. I hope to explore acting. I hope to write for the theater. Be in a play. Write a musical. I just want to keep going. More tangibly, I hope to shoot my first feature film in 2023 called Penance, a coming-of-age story about a little Jewish girl who converts to Catholicism so she can to go to confession and get a powerful penance.
WANT TO ATTEND THE FRONT FEST?
Find more information at thefrontfest.com.
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