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It takes a really special filmmaker to write, act, direct, produce their debut feature film. Well, let's go to Western Canada to find out in Caitlyn Sponheimer, the dynamo behind the film WILD GOAT SURF (2023), which had its US premiere in the beginning of April.

If it was my dream world, it would open in a thousand theaters, but look for it on streaming on May 20th.

In this episode, Caitlyn and I discuss:

• she does everything in her latest film -- acting, directing, writing, producing -- how did she get started? "I wasn't being seen for the type of roles I wanted to be seen for"; "I just kept making stuff";
• why don't more actors make that jump to writing and directing?
• her path to feature filmmaking. It started with an indelibly titled short, KITTY'S NAUGHTY KNICKERS (2019) and followed the supposed "path" for indie filmmakers. Does she wish it was different?
• the incredible cinematography, writing, acting -- everything -- in her film WILD GOAT SURF;
• the brilliance of Shayelin Martin, the protagonist in the film, and how she found such an incredible actress;
• how Caitlyn eventually decided to act in the film and what that means for indie filmmaking and casting -- "it's a balance of names...and budget"; "it has to be an actor I want to work with and respect so much...not just a name";
• the mission of her production company, CouKuma Productions, to empower female voices and how that can be tested in the casting process;
• how she decided on the release strategy for WILD GOAT SURF, including getting picked up by Tribeca Studios;
• how should indie filmmakers look at Canada as a film market?
• what's next for this brilliantly talented filmmaker?

Caitlyn's Indie Film Highlight: SHE DIES TOMORROW (2020) dir. by Amy Seimetz; THE WOLVES (2019) dir. by Samuel Kishi; VIOLENT (2014) dir. by Andrew Huculiak and cinematography by Joseph Schweers

Links:

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