December 13, 2023

Ep 216 - The Birth of "Dragonfly": An Oscar-Qualifying Journey with Julia Morizawa

21 minutes

This Episode:

Host: Geoffrey D. Calhoun
- Instagram @screenwriterpod

Guest: Julia Morizawa, Writer/Director
- Notable Projects: "Dragonfly"

Episode Overview: In this episode, Geoffrey D. Calhoun chats with Julia Morizawa, the creative mind behind the Oscar-qualifying animated short film "Dragonfly." Morizawa delves into the origins of the project, its connection to her family history, and the journey to making it an Oscar contender.Key Points Discussed:
1. Origins of Dragonfly:
  - Inspiration from family history.
  - Discovery of the Tokyo Fire Bombing and its impact.
2. The Making of an Animated Short:
  - Challenges and decisions behind choosing animation.
  - Collaboration with animation director Maria Martellaro and Eva Benitez.
3. Passion and Persistence:
  - Overcoming financial and resource constraints.
  - The dedication and commitment of the team to the project.
4. Oscar Qualification and Aspirations:
  - Setting high goals for the film.
  - Challenges of competing against big studios and managing an Oscar campaign.
5. Expanding the Story:
  - Potential for a feature or series adaptation. - Exploring related stories, including a script about Heart Mountain Internment Camp.
1. The Cultural and Historical Significance:
  - Discussing lesser-known historical events like the Tokyo Fire Bombing and the Heart Mountain Internment Camp.
  - The role of indie films in bringing these stories to a wider audience.
2. Advice for Aspiring Filmmakers:
  - Importance of passion in storytelling.
  - Strategies for self-producing and collaborating in the indie film industry.
3. Personal Reflections:
  - Julia Morizawa's insights on learning family history through filmmaking.
  - Symbolism of the dragonfly in the film and its connection to her mother's childhood.
4. Final Thoughts:
  - The potential impact of "Dragonfly" in acknowledging and learning from historical events.
Episode Highlights:
- Julia's journey from researching her family history to creating an Oscar-qualifying film.
- The creative and logistical challenges of producing an animated short film.
- Insights on navigating the film industry and setting ambitious goals.
- "Listen to the full episode to dive deeper into Julia Morizawa's fascinating journey with 'Dragonfly'. Don't forget to subscribe for more inspiring stories and screenwriting insights."

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By Geoffrey D. Calhoun

4.9

3030 ratings

December 13, 2023

Ep 216 - The Birth of "Dragonfly": An Oscar-Qualifying Journey with Julia Morizawa

21 minutes

This Episode:

Host: Geoffrey D. Calhoun
- Instagram @screenwriterpod

Guest: Julia Morizawa, Writer/Director
- Notable Projects: "Dragonfly"

Episode Overview: In this episode, Geoffrey D. Calhoun chats with Julia Morizawa, the creative mind behind the Oscar-qualifying animated short film "Dragonfly." Morizawa delves into the origins of the project, its connection to her family history, and the journey to making it an Oscar contender.Key Points Discussed:
1. Origins of Dragonfly:
  - Inspiration from family history.
  - Discovery of the Tokyo Fire Bombing and its impact.
2. The Making of an Animated Short:
  - Challenges and decisions behind choosing animation.
  - Collaboration with animation director Maria Martellaro and Eva Benitez.
3. Passion and Persistence:
  - Overcoming financial and resource constraints.
  - The dedication and commitment of the team to the project.
4. Oscar Qualification and Aspirations:
  - Setting high goals for the film.
  - Challenges of competing against big studios and managing an Oscar campaign.
5. Expanding the Story:
  - Potential for a feature or series adaptation. - Exploring related stories, including a script about Heart Mountain Internment Camp.
1. The Cultural and Historical Significance:
  - Discussing lesser-known historical events like the Tokyo Fire Bombing and the Heart Mountain Internment Camp.
  - The role of indie films in bringing these stories to a wider audience.
2. Advice for Aspiring Filmmakers:
  - Importance of passion in storytelling.
  - Strategies for self-producing and collaborating in the indie film industry.
3. Personal Reflections:
  - Julia Morizawa's insights on learning family history through filmmaking.
  - Symbolism of the dragonfly in the film and its connection to her mother's childhood.
4. Final Thoughts:
  - The potential impact of "Dragonfly" in acknowledging and learning from historical events.
Episode Highlights:
- Julia's journey from researching her family history to creating an Oscar-qualifying film.
- The creative and logistical challenges of producing an animated short film.
- Insights on navigating the film industry and setting ambitious goals.
- "Listen to the full episode to dive deeper into Julia Morizawa's fascinating journey with 'Dragonfly'. Don't forget to subscribe for more inspiring stories and screenwriting insights."