The No Film School Podcast

‘Blackfish’ Director Gabriela Cowperthwaite Turns Blacklist Script ‘I.S.S.’ Into Sci-Fi Thriller Theatrical Release

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Not all award-winning filmmakers planned for a career in film when they were younger. Director Gabriela Cowperthwaite found her love of film in her thirties, and has since directed films such as Blackfish, Our Friend, and many others. She recently directed I.S.S., a high-stakes thriller set in the International Space Station, which will be released in theaters on Jan 19. 


In today’s episode, No Film School’s GG Hawkins speaks with Director Gabriela Cowperthwaite to discuss:

  • Unexpectedly starting a career in filmmaking 
  • Wanting to effect change through films
  • Working for free and doing whatever job she could
  • A very humbling experience early on in Gabriela’s career
  • The differences between documentary filmmaking and narrative filmmaking
  • Surviving the lows during production
  • The importance of having interests outside of filmmaking
  • Establishing the world and dynamic between the characters in the film I.S.S
  • Bringing characters to life who do not fit into a stereotype
  • Filmmaking - it’s not more glamorous than other jobs



    • Memorable Quotes

    • “You really have to put in the work. You really have to collaborate.” [12:14]
    • “There’s this cool adventurous feeling you have when you’re doing it, because every single day could be a question mark.” [15:55]
    • “The highs are very high, and the lows are very low.” [16:42]
    • “It seems like it’s greater than the sum of its parts, but it’s not. It’s just the parts.” [36:36]
    • “Just remember, it’s one foot in front of the other.” [37:51]



      • Mentioned

      I.S.S. trailer


      Unpacking the Ethical Minefield of Docs with the Team Behind ‘Subject’




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