Sitting Down with the BMA Winners Pt. 1

In part one of this intimate live conversation, host NK sits down with three standout Best of the Midwest Award winners to unpack the artistry, discipline, and execution behind their craft:

• Mariah Bennett | Winner – Best Production Design
• Erick Juarez | Winner – Best Casting
• Davis Cameron Chu | Winner – Best Editing

Whether you are prepping your next short, navigating the festival circuit, or looking to sharpen your technical toolkit, tune in for actionable insights and real-talk advice on making films that leave a mark.

Credits:

Katelyn Henslin - Executive Producer & Director
NK Gutiérrez - Host & Producer
Emily Seddon - Co-Producer
Henrí Byrd - Creative Associate Producer 
Andrew Moore - Writer
Alyssa Neyland - Production Designer
Ziva Armstrong - Set Dec
Alex Richardson - Costume Designer
Fiona Sullivan - Head of Marketing and PR
Estefanía Mena - Social Media Manager 

Cory Coken - Audio Mixer & Executive Producer
Bryen Hensley - Technical Director 
Ashton Johnson - Video Editor & Graphics
Jake Hensley - Audio Mixer
Kimberly Knudsen - Production Manager
Devin Delaney - Composer
Jamie Vanadia - Re-Recording Mixer 

Production Facility - Noisefloor LTD
Post Production Provided by - Noisefloor LTD

Transcript

SPEAKER_03 0:01

Welcome to Real Wisdom with NK, a Midwest Film Festival podcast, where each week we explore the journeys, insights, and lessons from the incredible filmmakers and creatives shaping Midwest cinema. Welcome to a special episode of Real Wisdom with NK. We're live at Lincoln Park Room on our final day of Midwest Film Festival, Midwest Royale. It's our inaugural Midwest Royale, and we could not be more excited to have our inaugural Winner Soakle brunch to finish us off. We're live today with the studio audience and the incredible winners who just 12 hours ago found out that they are the best of the Midwest. Well, they probably already knew that, but now we just gave them their flowers. So I'm so excited to be with three of our incredible winners this afternoon. And we're gonna let them introduce themselves and tell us where they're from. Let's start there. Start here with you, Mariah.

SPEAKER_02 1:00

Hi, I'm Mariah Bennett. Um, originally from Texas, but um I won Best Production Design in my head.

SPEAKER_01 1:08

Yay! Hi, my name is Eric Watis. I'm from here, Chicago, born in Guatemala. Um, I have the movie Cake, and we won Best Casting and Wardrobe.

SPEAKER_00 1:22

Hi, my name is Davis. Um, Chicago local, but from Ohio. And I'm here representing Brain Raw, and we won Best Editing for that.

SPEAKER_03 1:31

So dope. So, so so dope. Well, I'm so incredibly excited to give you all your flowers and have a moment for us just to be here this afternoon to be in the fruit of the labor, right? And I think especially as independent artists, it's really easy to continue to think about the next thing and like what you're working on next and not take a beat to just be with the work that you've done and feel really proud of it. So thank you for taking time to allow us to celebrate you a little bit more and to get in community with the rest of the folks who helped make it happen and the ones who standing alongside of you with these awards. So I want to talk a little bit about how you all got into the industry and why the Midwest is where you're doing it. Because often when people think about TV, film, they're not thinking about Chicago, which is wild. We, you know, we are, but they're like, okay, LA or New York, right? Maybe Toronto. Why Chicago? And why like how did you get into it? And this is for everybody or anybody who wants to jump in. Ladies first.

SPEAKER_02 2:30

Oh man. Um, well, I didn't go to film school and actually I got into the industry just randomly. One of my regulars, I was working at a coffee shop and one of my regulars was a director. I had pivoted to from um my former career to just trying to figure it out as a barista, and one of my regulars was a director. And one day we were just talking about my background. I used to be an architect, and she was like, Hey, you want to come work on this film in Atlanta with me? And that's how it all started. Like, I got a mentor and then um ended up moving and then came back. And my very first film I did in 2021, and it just it just felt right. Like it, it, it was really everything that I've worked for, like with my career previously. It just feels like I'm doing all the things together and just like one title as a production designer now.

SPEAKER_03 3:19

Oh, that's so dope. I have to ask you another question because you just hit on something that I always ask, and that is really a requirement that we have in our workforce workshops, is to discuss transferable skills. And you said that you were a barista and like, and now I'm doing production design and it all feels right. If you can think of one specific transferable skill that you that has helped you in production design that you would have not otherwise thought, like, yeah, that I wouldn't have thought this would help me be better at this, but it definitely has. That has nothing to do with production design.

SPEAKER_02 3:50

Oh my goodness. Uh, project management and creative problem solving. Those are the two things. If you can do those two things, you can be a PD. Like you just because you have to be able to solve problems, whether it is like if it's loading, is it budget, whatever, you always have to solve different problems creatively in order to make the best product.

SPEAKER_03 4:06

That's thank you for sharing that. And I think that's so important to remember, right? And I know we're preaching the choir over here with fellow filmmakers and artists, but just the reminder of like, what are the things that I can be pulling into my work that I do in my job that keeps the lights on for now? Or as Peter Hawley said, as he did the artistic work for free, the other thing's paying for it, right? He said some I'm paraphrasing, but it when I interviewed him a couple days ago, the way he shared that, he was like, Yeah, it was like I always think it was like I'm doing that, I'm doing what I love for free. And the other stuff, like, yeah, it pays for me to be able to do what I want for free. And I was like, huh, that is such a powerful shift in perspective. But when you think about whatever that other work is, how does it allow you to be more powerful in the thing that you're doing that you love so much for free? Right. So it's really good. How about you, Eric? How did you get into this?

SPEAKER_01 4:55

How did I get into this? Okay, so um, like I said, I'm from Guatemala. My parents moved over here when I was nine years old. And one of my first experiences uh was there's a movie being filmed by the house, and we went over there to look. And Macaulay Culkin was making Richie Rich. And Macaulay Culkin was my hero because Home Alone. Home Alone. And my I didn't go to school for the next two days because I was just staring at trucks, and my mom was with me too, you know, like she's like, Yeah, and that did something. I don't know what it was, but it planted that seed. And I, you know, they my parents weren't very supportive in the arts, and it's just because they didn't know where to put me. Right. You know, they didn't have the resource or they just wanted me to go to school. That's what they wanted. But um, once I was 18, I chose my own path and I went to NIU, studied acting. I studied abroad at in Russia as well for acting. Oh, wow and I did go to LA and I had my fun with her. I was there for seven years, and I had an incredible experience. And I had my Hollywood highlight for my for me. I uh was able to make a movie with a guy who's become my friend now, but his name is David Nutter, he's the Game of Thrones producer, and it was so so cool, and that also planted something because I had a small role in that film, like nothing, but again, I was just like looking at everybody and seeing him, and I was like, this guy is a freaking genius, you know what I mean? And I talked to him about cake, so it's it's funny that eventually I I I was able to do it. So when I came back, I was like, I have to do this in Chicago because I was gonna do it in LA, but it just didn't feel right. So once I came back, I was like, we're doing cake. How long have you been back? I moved back in COVID. So yeah, I moved back in July of COVID. Yeah.

SPEAKER_03 6:41

If you think about one of the biggest learnings during those seven years that you brought back with you, um, outside of what you've already shared your experience with a producer, what are the one of the biggest things that you've carried back with you as you've made your way back to the heartland from Hollywood?

SPEAKER_01 6:55

I think that there's uh a level of hustle that exists out there that I don't see here that much. I'm learning how to do this too, because you have to know your value. Yeah. And sometimes you walk into the rooms and you're like, hey, I'm here, right? Yeah, but I do have something to offer, you know. So I think what I learned over there, because there's so many events and so many things that happen, that you have to you have to let people know who you are, what you can offer, and hopefully collaborate with a festival or another artist.

SPEAKER_03 7:28

So thank you for sharing that because um throughout the week we've been having these Heartland Hollywood conversations. They started opening night at Rivers Casino with Joe Magnoso, Chicago Fire, who's also co-producer on this, right? Yes, and you all have been doing a lot of work together, and then Hannah Hall, star of the shy. And we've peppered them throughout the week. We had Marina on from Chicago PD, as well as Brittany Ward, casting director, and Patrick, who is a co-writer with Marina. One of the things that Britney brought up on one of the Heartland Hollywood conversations on Saturday was that because she also was in L, she's from the Midwest, went to LA for a long time and came back. And um, I think it's important that as we reach out and we are in different markets, we come back and look at wherever we are and building and be like, hey, here's some gaps. And part of what she had said was like some of the energy around the hobby culture and not understanding your value and coming into the room with it. I'm paraphrasing again, but that's what I really gleaned from it. And I'm hearing the same thing. So, from your perspective, Eric, what is a way that we can embody that as filmmakers, as actors, as creatives? Because you even share, you started out in front of the camera and you're doing both now, right? In front of and behind the camera. So, what is something that you could share with our listeners here now and the ones who will be listening at home about how they can start to embody that value?

SPEAKER_01 8:47

Sure. I think I don't go to the gym, but I think it's like going to the gym. You got to put it into work. And uh the easiest way to do it is to show up and support other people because then you're in the space and you're it comes back to you, you know. And there's not been one time that I haven't gone and supported an organization or something that I don't walk and I don't do it intentionally, but I don't, that I meet somebody and now we're gonna collaborate next time. You know what I mean? Whether it's for coffee or or they have something that they want to share with me, or I'm like, oh my god, I didn't think I could talk to you about this thing that I have in my mind, and then just planting the seeds, but I would start with supporting what's out there because somehow they're gonna be like, oh dude, you got a movie, talk to us about it, you know what I mean? So it's uh it's a balance. You give and you get.

SPEAKER_03 9:38

Oh my gosh, this is so good. And I think this is a counterintuitive to how I think a lot of people move in the room, like, well, if I'm gonna show my value, then then you need to know who I am and what are you gonna give me and what can you get as opposed to what you're saying is coming as an open offering. And that's what actually shows what your value is. And I think so important because I agree. I can always sniff out who's in the room looking for something or who's in the room working to be of contribution. Because when you're working to be of contribution, that to your point, that's when it really comes back to you. So thank you for sharing that. How about you, Davis? How'd you get into this?

SPEAKER_00 10:10

I know there's I know a little bit, but share with the audience. Sure, sure. So I am from Ohio originally, as we all know, but I I moved here specifically for post-production and to pursue a career in motion design. Specifically, where I found myself was like advertising motion design. So not only is that is advertising so specific, but then you have a very specific part of the post-production pipeline, uh, which is something that I still love. But I never really thought that I would get the opportunity to pursue writing, directing, acting, the other parts of independent filmmaking, which I fell in love with during college. So a couple years ago, um, my creative partner slash girlfriend, uh, who couldn't be here, uh, and I, her name is Mizan, we looked at each other and we're like, hey, you know, we we both were in the industry, we went to film school, we love storytelling. Maybe we don't just want to make, you know, like advertisements and title sequences all day. Maybe we want to do something in our free time to like fulfill our creative passions. And so we decided to make a short film together. And I think going back to what you were saying about Chicago, I think because we were in this Chicago community, it was a very difficult experience, like making anything, but it was so supportive and therefore so like easy to make something. It was easy because all of our friends were like, hell yeah, let's do it. We'll help you. Hell yeah. I'm you know, I I can say like, I'm a motion designer, here's my reel. And this was the opportunity where people were like, Yeah, but now you're a director and now you're an actor, and I want to see those parts of you. Uh so I'm very grateful for the community that we have here. And and I I don't know if this would exist in a different city, and I don't know if our career trajectory thus far uh would have developed in the way that it would had it been on either of the coasts, just because we are in a very supportive environment. And I feel like I can confidently say, like, yeah, I am a I recently have uh changed the way I talk about myself. I used to introduce people, hey, my name's Davis, I'm a motion designer. Now I say, hi, my name is Davis, I'm a motion designer and independent filmmaker.

SPEAKER_03 12:22

Yes. And come on, yeah, let's give that a clap up. And I was fortunate enough to meet you when you were really kicking around the idea of what will it look like to re to expand into independent filmmaking for myself, you and Mizan and our Taco Bell conversation. Share a little about that and just that inciting incident of what because you sharing that how you identify now and how you introduce yourself to people, that really I feel like was expanded because of Midwest Film Festival.

SPEAKER_00 12:57

Oh, absolutely.

SPEAKER_03 12:58

So can you share a little bit about the impact that Midwest Film Festival has had on you and your creative career?

SPEAKER_00 13:04

We made this short film called Handjob a couple years ago, uh, that we were able to like have a very nice festival run with and whatnot. And the reason it's not what you think. If you if you haven't seen it, it's I'm so numb to the name, I don't even think about it.

SPEAKER_03 13:18

You even said it, you're like, hand job. It's hand job. Say it loudly, say it proudly. It's actual little hand.

SPEAKER_00 13:25

It's a little hand. I mean, I guess that still doesn't help with the vision to continue. Midwest Film Fest uh was part of the reason we even were able to start crewing up for that film because we we just attended the BMAs. We didn't have anything there, we didn't even know anyone who was nominated. Someone was just like, hey, you should come to this event. We're like, okay. So we we bought tickets and we showed up, and during that evening we just hung out with a bunch of people. And then a few months later, when we started crewing up for a film, we're like, hey, let's let's text that person we met. Let's text those people, let's reach out via email. And because of that, our network immediately just exploded in in multiple directions. Um, so I think that is like a very tangible impact that Midwest Film Fest has had on us and our careers so far.

SPEAKER_03 14:16

Thank you so much for sharing that, Davis. How about for you, Eric or Mariah? How has Midwest Film Festival impacted your um trajectory in the independent film space? Like and you as a human, your work, um, what have you been able to experience?

SPEAKER_01 14:30

Yeah, I attended a few years ago too, supporting a friend uh on their film, and I was like, this is so dope. I want to be here. I was in the process of trying to make cake, but um, I was like, this is so cool. Um, so it was a it was a motivating factor, you know, to be there. But the this as like he said, we also met people who then are our crew members are on the film because of that.

SPEAKER_03 14:56

So yeah, too, and the film fair. I know Joe was talking about it a little bit um on Monday, but if you can share a little bit about what the film fair was and how that helped you to crew up as well.

SPEAKER_01 15:05

Yes. So uh we had a talk about a movie we did last year called Paper Flower, and we were able to talk about a specific scene in the movie and how we made that happen. But we were because everybody was there, we were able to see a couple of crew crew people who basically we were like, hey, we're making a movie. This we just finished it, you know, and then I'm gonna say like five people from that event uh helped out on the film, which was a massive under it's the biggest thing we've done so far. So I'm I still need to recover from that. Um but it was so dope. But it had had that not happened, we would have been scratching our heads like who do we, who do we, who do we call? And the fact that they were there and they're active, yes, right? It makes us feel like okay, these people are doing what we want them to do and not have to go and search for them. They're in front of us.

SPEAKER_03 15:59

Yes, thank you for sharing that. For those of you who are listening and are in the audience who didn't get to experience the film fair, that was our uh kickoff to the festival season, and that was in conjunction with the Chicago Film Office at the Cultural Center. And it was an all-day event where we essentially created a set. So every department starting from the school, like from university level all the way through post, had a department on set so that you could meet and greet with the folks who are doing that work. We also had a workforce workshop that Journey Work Entertainment hosted, and it was a how to prep your project for post. And it was a four-hour workshop where they're able to sit down and get nuts and bolts information from heads to tail of how to make sure you are properly prepping your script for post before you start. And um, what Eric was talking about, we had a how we made it segment that Davis was also a part of as well with Handjob and Mizan. And um what they did, they had it was like 10 minutes, I think. We had like a 20-minute talk, but they could show up to a six-minute clip and um share exactly how they made that particular scene and everything that went into it. And I thought that was just a really helpful way. We were dreaming up what we wanted to make sure that we were leaving and opening up for education for filmmakers. And um, this was a great way to do that. And because we pulled in all the different folks from the different departments, they were able to be there representing the work that they did. And our hope was that they would be able to have cross-collaboration and be able to get work from being there because, like, oh, now I know you're here, I can crew up with you. And it's so much easier when you just like you said, you just find the person, you have to be like, oh, who do we gonna get? And they're like, oh, well, you're here, you're doing this, and I think it's something to be said. It's like, and you're involved with Midwest Film Festival. So they give you a platform, probably good people, because this is exactly what why we're doing everybody that's working tirelessly back here, and folks that you've never even met or seen are doing this for this very thing, is for you to be able to have this experience. And selfishly, I just create the experience because this is the kind of experience I want for myself as a filmmaker.

SPEAKER_02 18:02

So, how about you, Mariah? Honestly, I was just really inspired. I went to one of the film blocks and honestly, I was just blown away by all the other talent in the city. And to to what you guys are saying about curling up, there are a couple of PDs that I was like, oh wait, I would love to like meet and collaborate and follow with them, follow them on Instagram and stuff like that. But it was just really interesting to see all these indie films and just like all the different things that they could do and the anime. I love the animation um films that you guys had in the film block, but I just was went away inspired and was like, okay, I want to try this on my next project. And yeah, that's kind of how I left with when I saw that, you know, was a part of this.

SPEAKER_03 18:40

Incredible. Thank you so much. So we're gonna end this segment by sharing what you're loving, what you're leaving, and what you're longing for. I always ask people this and it helps you get present too. What is it? What I'm loving right now, and it doesn't, and it doesn't have to be super deep, it could be like I'm loving the bagel I just had, you know. What but just to get present in this moment of what are you loving? What are you leaving that no longer works for you? And what are you longing for to like really open yourself up to the next possibility? I'll go first. Um and I haven't planned anything, so I'm thinking in real time. What I'm loving is being right here with you all right now and hearing that exactly what we've built is exactly what you're experiencing. I'm loving my Erica Duffy back here who pulled me into this wild ride and um and then pushed me when I was like, I don't know, I don't know. And um, but it wouldn't be possible without you, Erica. And I'm loving that too. For those of you who are listening or can't see the camera, my predecessor Erica Duffy, who was the executive director of the festival for five years and scouted me to come in to work for the festival and created a job for me to see if this is something I'd want to step into, is back here with her little baby girl, which is at Mona Rose, who's just precious. And um, I'm I'm just loving that you've created this, pass it on to me, and now look what we've done, girl. I am leaving behind the idea, and I said it and I need to keep saying it because I said it the last time I was on this podcast, I think a couple days ago, the idea that it has to look exactly the way I want it to look immediately, and that it is enough to have just started and not to have it perfect, but that we have started. And now people can actually see what I saw on my head, what everybody else that joined the team also believed in, and they came and we came together, and they can see that, and now they can start to invest in it so that we can really grow and give the proper support that we deserve as staff and that you all deserve as artists. What I'm longing for is that beach vacation, do not disturb beach, blue sand, blue. I'll take blue sand, blue waters, blue sand is looking blue at this point in my life. Um, just warmth and silence, longing for warmth and silence. Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 21:08

I'm loving my community. I can definitely say that this has been the year of me finding my people. I love everybody that I've worked with since I even came into the industry and just like really having that, you know, this you're reconnecting with everyone. And I just really, really love all the people that I've met these past couple years. Um, when I'm leaving, the fear of the unknown, because I feel like as filmmakers, we're always worried about what the project is and not posting the project. And that's something for me. It's just like, you know, just get it out there. Like, fear can sometimes derail you in a way that you may not expect. And just being more confident and just like doing things and just moving on to the next project and just seeing what happens from it. And what am I longing for? More projects with my friends. Like, I really, really, really more projects in Chicago, period. Actually, I'm tired of having to fly out for other things. So, like, more and more, more, more, and more. Here, there's a great community of people, talented folks. Like, I just really Hope more Chicago work comes here. Yes. Come on. Amen of that. How about you, Eric?

SPEAKER_01 22:05

All right. I'm gonna be honest here. Let's do that's what we need. What I am loving is that my dream, I'm living my dream. Um, I really like that. I've been waiting for this for a long, long time. And this is you know, they like they say, only the beginning, right? But I I really do believe that now. Yeah. Um, so I'm loving the moment that I'm having, especially that my family gets to see because it's always like, what are you doing? What oh my god, do something else. You know what I mean? Like, you're still doing this, yeah. But now they're seeing it, and now that now they're like, where's the next one? When because they're all the extras and everybody there, so yeah. Um, because you know, yeah, yes, I don't save the money. What I'm leaving, again, honest, I'm leaving all the people that didn't believe in me in the past.

SPEAKER_03 22:50

Come on, amen to that.

SPEAKER_01 22:52

Come on, bye, keep me leaving those tables that I was like, hey, how about what about this idea? And they'll be like, No, you've never done this before, you know, your first time this. Bye.

SPEAKER_03 23:04

Yes, sir, bye.

SPEAKER_01 23:06

And then I want to build this production company that I have. You know, I wanna I want to give it a shot and see what what we can do here in Chicago. And there's space for everybody. Yeah, and we deserve a little, a little bit of that too, a little real estate here. That's right. That says, this is what we do, this is what we got to offer. Join us or watch us. Boom, join us or watch us. Come on, mic drop.

SPEAKER_03 23:32

How about you, Davis?

SPEAKER_00 23:34

I'm loving the tequila sunrise. I also love uh the creative partnership that I have with Mizan, who isn't here right now, and the ability that her and I can uh work so well together and take on all these different projects. Because I really do believe, like in uh in the pursuit of creative endeavors, it is so much better when you have another person and you're not going through it alone. Whether that person is like a significant other or a sibling or just best friends, I think that having uh that relationship with someone is is really special. So definitely I love that. That's my love. I'm trying to leave. I don't know if I'm successfully leaving, but I'm trying to leave obsessing with what other people think.

SPEAKER_03 24:17

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 24:18

And always worrying about uh how certain things look or how you present or what uh trajectory you're on. Like, am I doing enough? Am I doing the right thing? And then what I am longing for, uh we are starting, we are in early development starting on our next short film. And I am so excited and I am longing to sink my teeth into that and to like be back in production, back in pre-production, and I am longing to get that started.

SPEAKER_03 24:53

Thank you so much, Davis. Thank you, Eric. Thank you, Mariah, for being here. Thank you for sharing your work. Congratulations. And we can't see what you do next, and we can't wait to be a part of it. Well, that's part one of Real Wisdom with NK with our Winner Circle Brunch winners. Uh, we're gonna be back in just a little bit with our next round of winners here at Lincoln Park Room, our generous hosts of our winner's circle brunch. So keep listening, and we'll see you in a little bit. None of this can be done without you. We're a nonprofit organization that operates for the people by the people. So unlock your phone right now, go to midwestfilm.com and make a donation today.