QUESTION#1: What excited you the most when making this film?: This is the most ambitious, daring film I've made to date. The story is told in three languages, involves four "clones," and bends genre and tone throughout. I was challenging myself as a filmmaker on so many levels. It was both exhilarating and terrifying. At first, I was nervous that this wild little tale would struggle to get support because it was so "out there" - but the opposite happened. So many talented collaborators saw the potential and signed on, and working together to bring this film to life was the greatest joy!

QUESTION#2: What was the most significant film you've seen AT THE THEATER in 2024, and how did it influence your filmmaking?: The Substance! It was a film that payed homage to it's genre origins & inspo while delivering a fresh, unexpected take on what it feels like to age as a woman in today's society. It was unapologetic and brazen. It made me excited to go bigger and bolder in my own work.

QUESTION#3: What's an obvious and not-so-obvious question someone might ask about your film?: Obvious question: Is this about a company/boss you've worked for?- No! But I was watching a lot of Succession around the time I developed the concept.
Not-so-obvious: You made a film that features Deaf talent and utilized American Sign Language - what was that process like? - Before I started writing the script, I knew I wanted to include accessibility in the storyline and production. I strove to write a multi-dimensional character from from the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing community. I sought out educators, consultants, and resources on how to create an accessible production. I collaborated with a script consultant from the Deaf community to help ensure the character was portrayed authentically. Kailyn Aaron-Lozano, our Director of Artistic Sign Languate (DASL), and Raquel McPeek Rodriguez, who played the character of ALLIE, also provided input for the character. The film features four different characters using American Sign Language with varying levels of expertise, so our esteemed DASL tailored the language for each one, and was present in rehearsal and on set (via Zoom) to provide notes and feedback on the scenes that included ASL. There were also several interpreters brought onto the production to help facilitate effective communication. It was a transformative experience - I'm ever grateful to my team for going on this journey with meI

QUESTION#4: A magic movie genie is giving you an unlimited budget for your next production! However, you're only allowed to use it on either "above line" or "below line" resouces. Which do you choose and why?: My hot take from my own writer/director/producer journey is investing in top notch "above line" talent means you'll have a team that's adept in attaining additional funding, sponsorships, and resources - which can then be used to attract high caliber "below line" collaborators. (This is basically me tricking the genie, who will likely retaliate with an ominous curse... But at least I'll leave behind a perfectly written, cast, acted, shot, lit, produced, set/costume/HMU-styled, edited, colorized, composed, and sound-designed film.)

QUESTION#5: What is it about your current movie that will influence your next film?: To not be scared to take big swings or ruffle feathers with your storytelling.

Social media tags to share with our readers: IG and BlueSky: coco.loca

5Q's w/: Chloe Caudillo "Development" Director, Writer