Episode 64: Liz Whitmere; Directing & "Difficult Women"

 In this conversation, Liz Whitmere shares her journey from performer to director, discussing the challenges and triumphs she faced along the way. She emphasizes the importance of authentic representation of women in film, particularly flawed and complex characters. Liz reflects on her creative process, the inspiration behind her short film 'Cold', and the collaborative nature of directing. She also touches on the differences between directing for television and film, her inspirations, and how she overcomes writer's block. In this engaging conversation, Liz Whitmere shares her experiences in the film industry, discussing the challenges of accessibility on set, common mistakes made by new filmmakers, and the importance of planning for post-production. Liz also delves into her recent work in documentary filmmaking and her passion for teaching digital storytelling. 

The virtual premiere of COLD if you missed it was fantastic! Really great Q&A after with bloopers from the shoot. I can't wait to see what happens next with COLD. 

You can watch COLD here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=skNO_IcRUXM 

You can follow Liz and stay connected through her website newsletter, sign up at https://lizwhitmere.com/ 

Such a pleasure chatting with her, she's so inspiring and a champion for those starting out in their creative careers! 

Chapters

00:00 The Journey to Directing
03:10 The Quest for Authentic Representation
05:38 The Directing Process: Learning on the Job
07:40 Creating 'Cold': Inspiration and Challenges
10:07 Navigating Directorial Challenges
13:05 Defining a Good Director
15:37 Directing for TV vs. Film
17:05 Inspirations Behind the Lens
19:10 The Making of 'Cold' and Future Plans
21:10 The Art of Collaboration in Directing
22:56 Surprises in the Directing Journey
26:13 Balancing Directing and Acting
28:23 Overcoming Writer's Block
33:20 Embarrassing Moments on Set
34:51 The Importance of Accessible Sets
36:51 Common Mistakes in Filmmaking
39:25 Navigating Copyright and Music Rights
41:31 The Challenges of Filmmaking
43:31 Advice to Younger Filmmakers
50:20 Building Courses for Creators
54:18 The Journey of Documentary Filmmaking
54:56 The Decision to Have Children
57:29 Introduction and Listener Engagement