Behind the Camera is a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the lives of the nine filmmakers featured in LUNAFEST, a traveling film festival by, for and about women. Each week, the Step Up Blog will feature two incredible women and their passion for film and storytelling. Buy your tickets to this year’s LUNAFEST on February 27 in Los Angeles, New York and Chicago here. Step Up supporters save 20% on tickets with the code StepUp.
Danielle Lurie
Named as one of Filmmaker Magazine’s “25 New Faces of Independent Film,” Danielle Lurie is a New York City-based writer and director, as well as a vérité photographer and painter who has exhibited work at shows in Miami, New York and London. She has been shooting films and photos since graduating from Stanford University in 2000 with a B.A. in Philosophy. Recently, Danielle wrote a fictional screenplay adaptation of Jamaica Kincaid’s novel Lucy, to star Zoe Saldana, and is currently in development on the feature-length version of her short In the Morning, titled Fortunate Sons, that will co-star Oscar nominee Emily Watson. She is also adapting a Nicholas Kristof New York Times article into a full-length screenplay, titled Usha, that she will direct, and has just completed production on a new short that she wrote and filmed in Spain.
About Tiny Miny Magic- Sam Cabbage decides to show her appreciation for her mailman by leaving him a present in her mailbox, and is delighted when he leaves her a present back. A gift giving exchange ensues, culminating in a twist ending and love connection Sam could never have imagined.
My first job was…being a financial analyst for a Real Estate Investment Trust (I still to this day have no idea what my job actually was). I quickly left that job and moved to Hollywood and became an intern for George Clooney and Stephen Soderbergh’s company, Section Eight.
When I was 15, I was…honestly pretty self-absorbed, very sporty and desperate to get into Stanford.
Now I am…less self-absorbed and more dedicated to women’s rights and animal rights (I am vegan), a filmmaker, photographer and…a Stanford graduate.
My passion is…people: telling their stories and taking their photos.
My mentor is/was…my mother, Tamar. In film, it’s my brother, Rod, as well as my first boss, the stills photographer Roberts Zuckerman who told me to ‘start before you’re ready.’
My film tells the story of…the magic that unfolds when people show their appreciation for others.
My all-time favorite movie is…this collection of LUNAFEST short films! I also really love American Beauty.
Something that inspires me and my art is…other women who are kicking ass in what they do. Also, the people I meet on the subways in NYC always remind me of how vast and bountiful the world is.
Venetia Taylor
Venetia Taylor is a writer, director and actor based in Sydney, Australia. She completed an mLitt in English Literature at Sydney University in 2009, and studied at Screenwise, an acting school based in Sydney. Her short films include Ophelia, Terror on the Northside, Germany, The Palace, Connected, Distant Thunder, Brittany, Garbo, Ave Maria, The Future, and Date With Fate.
About Date With Fate – When it comes to blind dating, some things are meant to be—whether you like it or not.
My first job was… in a pie shop.
When I was 15, I was… lost.
Now I am… still pretty lost.
My passion is… Champagne.
My mentor is/was… Position Vacant.
My film tells the story of… a couple who are less alone than they imagine.
My all-time favorite movie is… Opening Night.
Something that inspires me and my art are… actors.
For more information on LUNAFEST, watch the trailer here.
100% of LUNAFEST net proceeds benefit charity: on February 27 in Los Angeles, New York and Chicago, 85% of proceeds go to Step Up and 15% to the Breast Cancer Fund. Enjoy a night out with great films, support female filmmakers and make a difference for Step Up girls. Step Up supporters save 20% on tickets with the code StepUp.
