| Cool Careers: Independent Filmmaker By: Stephanie Howson Have you ever wondered while watching a documentary film just who exactly is behind the camera? What about the independent documentaries that are featured at international film festivals in places such as Chicago, Melbourne, or Vancouver? Well, independent documentary films, just like the big summer blockbusters which we are all familiar with such as Iron Man 2, have a whole crew behind the scenes helping to bring various topics into public consciousness. Diana Whitten is one of these people. Serving as director, producer, and cinematographer of the documentary film Vessel Diana describes herself as a “video-activist.” Vessel, a film on which she has been working for three years, explores the organization Women on Waves- a Dutch non-profit women’s rights organization that works to “prevent unwanted pregnancy and unsafe abortions throughout the world.” I spoke with Diana about her career and her current work on Vessel as well as her thoughts on independent filmmaking as a woman concerned with women’s rights. Diana first discovered her interest in visual art through photography. “Throughout high school and college I always had a camera with me,” she said. For formal schooling she received a BA from Tufts and a BFA from the School of Fine Arts, in Boston. She then received her masters from the Newschool Program in International Media, which is when she first came across the organization Women on Waves. In speaking about her filmmaking, Diana said that during her time in the academe she eventually decided that she wanted to base her films around political issues. She had gained professional film and TV experience working on direction, production, and design and was inspired by the mission of Women on Waves. “There was such a potential for film and video to extend the message of Women on Waves,” she said. So, she began work on the film. Being an independent filmmaker is far from glamorous work though it is extremely rewarding. Diana refers to her work on Vessel as “a labor of love.” While she says she does not have a lot of free time, she really loves to travel and enjoys that her film work on Vessel incorporates international travel. When asked about the relationships she has created with the people whom she is documenting she said “I’ve met some great Women on Waves volunteers that work every day to change things for the better.” However, friendships like these do not materialize overnight. “I had to prove I was more than just a journalist out for a story,” says Diana. She has worked hard over the past three years to convince the members of Women on Waves that she is on-board with their mission and really desires to help spread their message through her film. When asked about the necessary experience an aspiring filmmaker needs Diana replied matter-of-factly, “You’ve just got to jump in. With independent film you end up wearing many different hats and you learn on the job. You cannot be scared to take on roles that you’re prepared for but unsure of.” There has been a recent rise in using video as a tool for activism and Diana views this as an excellent medium to spread important information. She encourages anybody who is passionate about an idea and has a desire to share their passion through film to try expressing their ideas. “You don’t need a MFA (masters in fine arts degree) to make a film,” she says resolutely. Though schooling is certainly an option, personal passion seems to be what fuels the work of most independent film directors. So what advice does Diana have to offer young aspiring independent filmmakers? “Young women must trust themselves in what they can produce and what they’re capable of.” Diana is truly a wonderful example of a woman following her passions, and in doing so, is creating a film that will not only help change the world but is changing her. For more information about independent filmmaking visit: http: //www.filmmaking.net/ For more information on Diana’s film visit her website and sign up for the mailing list: http://www.vesselthefilm.com/Vessel/Home.html. To learn more about Women on Waves, visit their website: http: //www.womenonwaves.org/index.php?lang=en . |
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