Natalie Biblè
Natalie Biblè is an American writer/director/producer & cinematographer whose credits including: Developing Her (2010), Hemlock (2013), Bump (2014), Liquorice (2014) and Open Your Eyes (announced, 2015), among others.
Biblè has made her feature film directorial début with forthcoming mystery/thriller Windsor Drive (due out in theatres this summer and released by Indican Pictures), which centres around River Miller (Tommy O'Reilly), a mentally unstable actor haunted by the past, moves to Hollywood to start his life over, only to find his inner demons are inescapable.
SN: Hi Natalie. Thank you very much for taking the time out to answer my questions. This year marks the release of your feature-length directorial début Windsor Drive. How did it feel to be directing your first full length movie, and what were some of the biggest challenges?
Natalie: It was great. The cast and crew were a pleasure to work with, and we had a really great time making this film. I think the biggest challenge for me on this film was wearing as many hats as I did. I was the Director, Editor, Sound Designer, Post-Production Sound Mixer, & Colourist. However, instead of viewing it as a challenge I really viewed it as an opportunity and it made me a better filmmaker.
SN: For those that are unaware, tell us a little something about Windsor Drive.
Natalie: Windsor Drive explores the disturbed mind of River Miller, an unstable actor trying to escape his past and the inner demons that haunt him. My approach with bringing this story to life was highly driven by creating transfixing visuals and interlaced repetition. No matter how much we as humans try to forget the traumas of past tragedies, certain memories never fade, and we can at times replay these situations over and over in our minds. I wanted to metaphorically express this by not only having scenes and elements repeat themselves, but by having fragments play upside down and both backwards and forwards at times. I also used music as both an additional story telling tool and as a metaphorical element. For example, just as River cannot stop the voices from playing in his mind, the music in the film is a constant reminder that he “can not turn it off”.
My goal with Windsor Drive was to entrap the audience inside River’s delusions as much as possible and to use both visual & musical storytelling tools to create a roller coaster ride that is both thrilling and bizarre at times, leaving the audience to decide for themselves what is real and what is an illusion.
SN: What can audiences expect from this film that separates it from other thrillers that currently are out there?
Natalie: Windsor is extremely visual & musically driven. The “thriller” aspects of this film lie in its subjective undertones and subliminal messaging. There is meaning to the madness. If you listen to the lyrics of each musical piece accompanying the visuals, there are secrets and clues planted there that will help the audience put the pieces together. This is a film that you will want to watch more than once, as you will constantly catch things hidden within each scene that you may have missed the first time.
SN: How did you first get into filmmaking?
Natalie: I have been passionate about movies since I was a kid. I made my first “little film” when I was ten years old in the backyard of my friend's Grandmother’s house with my Dad's old Canon E50. I never went to film school, but instead spent my youth studying the works of Stanley Kubrick, Alfred Hitchcock, and David Lynch. This was my “film school”. I got heavily into photography in my early twenties and eventually that wasn’t enough. I needed those visuals to move and breathe, so I began making short films, music videos, filming anything and everything. After a while, my work began to get noticed, and so I moved out to Los Angeles to pursue a professional career as a filmmaker. My Partner Brieanna Steele and I started a Production Company called “Absinthe Productions” and soon we secured backing to produce films that we were passionate about.
SN: How would you describe your directorial style?
Natalie: I am a very edgy and highly visual filmmaker with a very stylistic approach to my work. I love to push the envelope and take risks. I like to create visuals so powerful & thought-provoking that you could hit “mute” on the television and still know every fragment of what’s happening within the story. I would also say that I am an “Actors Director”. I like to give my actors room to breathe and create, allowing them the opportunity to truly birth the characters that they are bringing to life. Actress Mandy Musgrave, Natalie Biblè and Actor Matt Cohen, Natalie Biblè and Actor Tommy O'Reilly (River Miller)
SN: What, for you personally, are some of the most important aspects of being a good director?
Natalie: For me it’s about two things: Being a good Leader and thinking outside the box. It’s my job to know every aspect of the film I am making and how to get the team to the finish line. It’s the ability to translate vision into reality. As a Director, I strive to inspire others to work harder, push harder, and believe in themselves. In addition, I have to be willing to reach outside the box at times. If something doesn’t work, I have to find a creative solution.
SN: Is there a particular genre of film that stirs your passion the most?
Natalie: I am really drawn to dark material. Stories that are horrifically beautiful. Thrillers & True Stories/Biopics intrigue me the most...and anything that is Female Driven. I would love to bring more riveting stories to life that are fronted by women. There is an audience out there and I would love to shine a light on it.
SN: In regard to filmmaking, who would you say are some of your greatest influences?
Natalie: Without a doubt Stanley Kubrick and David Lynch. Their work has been extremely influential. From the aesthetics of how they light a film, to the movement, and bizarre tension buried within, I am beyond inspired. I am also a big fan of Alfred Hitchcock, Roman Polanski, Darren Aronofsky, & Robert Rodriguez.
SN: Aside from directing, you have also stood as a writer/editor/producer (among other things) on previous and upcoming projects. Which of these would you say comes more naturally to you, and why?
Natalie: I consider myself a “Filmmaker” in all aspects. I enjoy Directing, Editing, and Sound Design the most, however, Cinematography is also something I share a passion for. My goal has always been follow in Robert Rodriguez’s footsteps and learn to be a triple or quadruple threat. I think it makes you more of an asset to any production when you can step in and do multiple roles.
SN: Currently, you have three more movies in the works; two in pre-production and one in post. What can you tell us about them?
Natalie: My next film is called William Froste written by Vance Savage. It is a horror film with an All-Star Cast of Horror icons. It stars Tyler Mane, Lew Temple, Leslie Easterbrook, Miko Hughes, Muse Watson, Steve Railsback, Amanda Wyss, and multiple other iconic actors. The film will begin production in August. I also have another Thriller coming up called ABSOLUTION: The Ted Roth Story written by Doug Klozzner and based on the controversial book by Edmund Hulton. There are a lot of exciting projects to look forward to.
SN: What would you say is your ultimate career goal?
Natalie: Ultimately, my goal is to create films that have a unique long-lasting effect. I would love to eventually be able to create more opportunities for female filmmakers and women in this business to showcase their work and compete with the men. This industry is very male dominated and I would love to create more of a balance. I really want to give back through my projects and inspire others to go after their dreams.
SN: What advice would you give to any budding filmmakers out there?
Natalie: Learn every aspect of filmmaking. No matter what position you are in. This will make you a more valuable asset to any film you work on and in the end will separate you from other filmmakers. Work hard EVERY SINGLE DAY. When you're not practising or working on your craft, someone else is. Never let that thought leave your mind. This will push and motivate you to put in the time. Lastly, Never Give Up. This is a very hard business to break into. Keep moving forward even through all the rejection. Cream always rises to the top. Work hard and stay focused. Anything is possible.
SN: Finally, is there anything that you would like to say or mention that I have not brought up?
Natalie: I want to thank everyone for supporting Windsor Drive. The film opens in theatres this summer via Indican Pictures and you can follow updates on the film at:
www.windsordrivemovie.com
SN: Natalie Biblè, thank you again for giving up some of your time. Congratulations on Windsor Drive, I look forward to seeing it, and I wish you all the best with all of your future projects. Thank you.