Filmmaker of the Week: Alex Mitchell

jenn headshot.jpg

CONTINUING OUR CSIF FALL 2021 MEMBERS’ SCREENING + DIRECTORS TALK SERIES, WE CHATTED WITH JENN WILL ABOUT THE FILM INDUSTRY, SPOOKY SEASON, AND HER ALL-TIME FAVOURITE SNACK. TUNE IN ON SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 18TH AT 7:00PM (MDT), TO WATCH HER FILM AND INTERVIEW LIVE FROM THE CSIF OFFICE. YOU CAN WATCH THE EVENT VIA OUR FACEBOOK AND YOUTUBE PAGES. RSVP HERE.

CSIF: Tell us about yourself. What do you do in the film industry?

JENN WILL: Hello, my name is Jenn Will, and I am a producer and director. I have been working in the industry for a while now and I make shorts, music videos and I’m working my way into the long-format world of features. I have a small bird that lives in my home, and I love buying houseplants and slowly murdering them.

CSIF: How did you get started in filmmaking? Why did you decide to become a filmmaker?

JW: Filmmaking was something that I fell into. It wasn’t something I ever really decided to do until much later. I started in film while producing a long-form short film (it had about a 50-minute runtime!) with some other very green collaborators. I was freshly 18 and knew absolutely nothing about making a movie and we just went for it. The movie was not great… but for a first attempt I think it turned out okay.

 After this first attempt, I worked as a PA on a big budget movie in B.C. while I was going to school, and that experience completely changed how I viewed filmmaking. It made me realize how hard this industry can be and how long the days really can be on set.

Honestly, I think it was my stubbornness to succeed that has kept me going from thereon. Ever since, I have gotten to work with a lot of amazing people on some fun projects and I have really found my passion in this industry.

CSIF: What kinds of stories are you interested in telling?

JW: I love watching genre films (especially horror/thrillers), so making genre films feels like the right move for my career. I truly believe that if you make something you would personally want to watch, it’s bound to resonate more.

CSIF: What advice do you have for other filmmakers?

JW: My best advice to anyone looking to get their start is twofold:

1. Find a group of people on your same level of experience that you can just make stuff with. Practice your craft, experiment, have a few things turn out absolutely terrible.

2. Find yourself a mentor who can teach you the things that no one wants to teach you and push yourself to learn as much as you can.

CSIF: Tell us about your most recent project.

JW: I’ve been working a lot on the development of projects that are a bit bigger in scope recently. These projects have been challenging me a lot and pushing me to expand my skillset as a filmmaker and producer.

Aside from those long game projects, I have been taking on some small projects with my filmmaking partner Jonathan Malloy. We recently shot a 60 second short horror film with just the two of us in an evening. That project was so fun to do, because we usually work with bigger crews and have input from other collaborators throughout the process. This micro-project gave us the chance to have our hands on all aspects of the creative process and do something fun. 

CSIF: Any final thoughts/words regarding filmmaking/being a filmmaker in Calgary?

JW: No lie, it’s really hard. Honestly being a “filmmaker” in Canada is hard. However, there are lots of great and passionate people in this industry who make it worthwhile, and a little bit easier to get through the grind.

CSIF: What is a film that you wish you made and why?

JW: Little Women (2019), mainly so I could meet the cast of Little Women.

Favourite movie(s): A weirdly hard question to answer, with an ever-changing answer. Since it’s spooky season, I have two moods: watching Hocus Pocus and copious amounts of horror films. One of my favourite horror films is the Neon Demon. Honestly, I basically love anything Elle Fanning is in, but this film is disturbing in the best way.

Favourite movie snack(s): Honestly, popcorn is my favourite all of the time snack, and it’s the perfect movie watching companion!

Tagged