Hilary Weisman

Jewelsy · 06-01-2007, 02:27 AM

Location: Francestown, NH
Hometown: Francestown, NH
Occupation: Stay-at-home wife and mom
Age: 37

Why am I here?

In January, I saw an ad calling for submissions for "On the Lot" and I decided that, if I didn't enter, I'd probably just end up watching it on TV and complaining about how I could have done better than those filmmakers. So I made a movie specifically for the contest, sent it in, and here I am.

A quick tour of my life

I was born in Boston & raised in suburban Chelmsford, MA, by my mom & dad (JoAnne & Larry). I have one sister, Andrea, who is three years younger than me. My dad died when I was 16. I went to B.U. & studied film and then continued living in Boston for 10 more years. I made my first indie feature at age 23, my second at age 27. Both films got some good reviews & played in festivals but neither brought me fame or fortune. Mostly, I made my living as a TV producer. My mom married my stepfather, Ken, when I was in my mid-twenties. When I was 28, I met my husband, Andy, at a Halloween party, where I was dressed as Artemis, Goddess of the Hunt, and he was dressed as a fisherman. Andy & I dated for 5 years, then we bought a house together in rural NH, and got married the following year. Our son Henry was born about nine months after the wedding. He is now three, and I have been a stay-at-home mom for that period of time.

Describe yourself in one sentence...

creative, funny, plucky, kind, down-to-earth (I realize this is not a sentence)

Your theme song?

"Save Me" by Aimee Mann

First movie you ever saw?

The Red Balloon

Favorite line from a movie?

"Which one of you bitches is my mother?," Lace, made-for-TV-movie (1984)

What made you want to be a filmmaker?

Seeing John Cassavetes and Hal Hartley films in college, reading the book "Spike Lee's Gotta Have It," being exposed to so many DIY outsider filmmakers by my cool B.U. film Prof. Ray Carney.

When you make a film what do you want the audience to leave with?

I'd like them to leave with their own empty popcorn tubs & drink cups - it's so rude to leave them on the floor for someone else to clean! Other than that, I like to challenge audiences with a certain amount of ambiguity, to leave some things open to interpretation, so they have room to feel their own feelings. I think a lot of big films tell you how to feel and, personally, I'm insulted by that. But at the same time, I really love the idea of people having a shared experience.

When I'm behind the camera...

I sometimes get terrified, often get impatient, and, hopefully, most of the time, I am excited by seeing my script come to life.

What do you think it will be like working with other Directors?

I'm really looking forward to working with such talented people! Collaborating is a new thing for me & I wish I had discovered it years ago.

Favorite joke about Directors/Actors?

I don't know any except for the old casting couch chestnut.

Movie that best encapsulates who you are?

"Breaking Away"

While On The Lot you have a week to make a film every week. What's the biggest challenge?

Keeping up my energy, not comparing my work to the work of others.

When you get the power, how will you use it?

What power? Does Mark Burnett have some magical potion (Clearly, the answer is yes)? But to answer seriously, I don't think about having more power at any particular time; I think I always have power (Now is the time someone should shout, "You go, girl!").

What's more important talent or ego?

Talent!

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misskitty · 06-02-2007, 12:16 AM

I'm amazed at the amount of talent she has! She might be one of the women to watch.

06-01-2007, 02:27 AM	#1
Jewelsy From the corner of my eye Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Santa Cruz, California Posts: 11,540	Hilary Weisman Location: Francestown, NH Hometown: Francestown, NH Occupation: Stay-at-home wife and mom Age: 37 Why am I here? In January, I saw an ad calling for submissions for "On the Lot" and I decided that, if I didn't enter, I'd probably just end up watching it on TV and complaining about how I could have done better than those filmmakers. So I made a movie specifically for the contest, sent it in, and here I am. A quick tour of my life I was born in Boston & raised in suburban Chelmsford, MA, by my mom & dad (JoAnne & Larry). I have one sister, Andrea, who is three years younger than me. My dad died when I was 16. I went to B.U. & studied film and then continued living in Boston for 10 more years. I made my first indie feature at age 23, my second at age 27. Both films got some good reviews & played in festivals but neither brought me fame or fortune. Mostly, I made my living as a TV producer. My mom married my stepfather, Ken, when I was in my mid-twenties. When I was 28, I met my husband, Andy, at a Halloween party, where I was dressed as Artemis, Goddess of the Hunt, and he was dressed as a fisherman. Andy & I dated for 5 years, then we bought a house together in rural NH, and got married the following year. Our son Henry was born about nine months after the wedding. He is now three, and I have been a stay-at-home mom for that period of time. Describe yourself in one sentence... creative, funny, plucky, kind, down-to-earth (I realize this is not a sentence) Your theme song? "Save Me" by Aimee Mann First movie you ever saw? The Red Balloon Favorite line from a movie? "Which one of you bitches is my mother?," Lace, made-for-TV-movie (1984) What made you want to be a filmmaker? Seeing John Cassavetes and Hal Hartley films in college, reading the book "Spike Lee's Gotta Have It," being exposed to so many DIY outsider filmmakers by my cool B.U. film Prof. Ray Carney. When you make a film what do you want the audience to leave with? I'd like them to leave with their own empty popcorn tubs & drink cups - it's so rude to leave them on the floor for someone else to clean! Other than that, I like to challenge audiences with a certain amount of ambiguity, to leave some things open to interpretation, so they have room to feel their own feelings. I think a lot of big films tell you how to feel and, personally, I'm insulted by that. But at the same time, I really love the idea of people having a shared experience. When I'm behind the camera... I sometimes get terrified, often get impatient, and, hopefully, most of the time, I am excited by seeing my script come to life. What do you think it will be like working with other Directors? I'm really looking forward to working with such talented people! Collaborating is a new thing for me & I wish I had discovered it years ago. Favorite joke about Directors/Actors? I don't know any except for the old casting couch chestnut. Movie that best encapsulates who you are? "Breaking Away" While On The Lot you have a week to make a film every week. What's the biggest challenge? Keeping up my energy, not comparing my work to the work of others. When you get the power, how will you use it? What power? Does Mark Burnett have some magical potion (Clearly, the answer is yes)? But to answer seriously, I don't think about having more power at any particular time; I think I always have power (Now is the time someone should shout, "You go, girl!"). What's more important talent or ego? Talent! __________________ "Among the blind, the squinter rules." ~ Gerard Didier Erasmus

06-02-2007, 12:16 AM	#2
misskitty MERRY UKRAINIAN CHRISTMAS Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Land of Ice and Snow Posts: 7,544 Blog Entries: 3	Re: Hilary Weisman I'm amazed at the amount of talent she has! She might be one of the women to watch. __________________ Live simply ~ Love generously~ Care deeply~ Speak kindly