#Devyn Waitt

[paradis-parano]

"It's funny how thing happen like that, you know ? When something really pretty happens out of something ugly."

- Not waving but drowning (2012), written and directed by Devyn Waitt

[paper-n-ashes]

Adam Driver as Adam

Not Waving, But Drowning (2012) dir. Devyn Waitt

[writerinboston]

9. 52 Films by Women-- Not Waving but Drowning--written and directed by Devyn Waitt

[scr33ncaps]

Not Waving But Drowning - Devyn Waitt (2012)

[kylestansbury]

“This was supposed to be our revolution summer.” “Maybe it was.”

Not Waving But Drowning (2012) - Dir. Devyn Waitt

[filmskool]

Not Waving But Drowning (2012) by Devyn Waitt

[ayonnasmith]

Not Waving But Drowning (2012)

Director/Writer: Devyn Waitt

[byroncollinmckoy]

FILM OF THE DAY:

Now Waving, But Drowning (2012)

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/not_waving_but_drowning_2012/

B+

[holdoncallfailed]

[fygirlcrush]

I recently had the opportunity to interview Devyn Waitt, the writer/director behind Not Waving But Drowning (I reviewed it here). The movie has been officially released on their official website, and they've made it available for free. If you can, watch it and send them a donation! 

What was the process like, taking your idea and turning it into a full feature film? 

Really long.

  For the soundtrack, did you start with certain songs in mind, or did you have to try different things out to see what fit?

Um. It was a combination. I had a big playlist going into production even. Sometimes I would drive the actresses around listening to a song on repeat before we filmed a scene to kind of get them in the right head space. Sometimes we used those songs and sometimes in the process of editing something else became clear that would fit better. I also tire of things easily, so by the time we were editing, a lot of the songs I had fallen in love with didn't feel exciting to me anymore. As far as the original music in the film, I always knew it had to be John. His voice, and music is kind of the soundtrack to my life - but it was a bloodbath getting the music for the film to where we were both happy with it.

  The film feeIs very personal and authentic, is it autobiographical in any way? 

I guess in the way that anything is. It is just a bunch of memories and feelings of my own and observed filtered through two archetypal baby dolls.

  Were there any other films or works of a different medium that you took inspiration from?

Definitely. I think I was inspired mostly by literature. I liked the idea of deviating from a really typical three act structure and having the narrative unfold more like a novel, where we sort of amble around and the story is more a collection of tiny stories or vignettes that over time add up to some sort of revelations. I was definitely inspired by all of Amy Hempels stories, and Lorrie Moore and Leonard Michaels. I love how dense their stories are and how you can see someones whole world in the tiniest of interactions. Sometimes, on maniac days, I feel like I can see someones whole person in the way they like order their coffee, apologetically, or a bit too loud, or for an imaginary friend. 

  One of the aspects of the film that impressed me the most was the way the two story lines flowed into one another. Was it challenging to interweave the two different plot lines and locations while you were editing?

Yes, definitely. It was tricky to get the momentum right. You have to shift back and forth so often, we changed things around like a million times before we found the right rhythm, where it felt like the stories were building off of each other. I wanted a lyrical quality, really seamless. But I love a good stop and start again in a song so we have a few of those too! Ziiiiiiiinnng!

  Are you currently working on any other projects?

I am writing a movie called "In The Clouds" and trying to get my dad to quit smoking. 

  I read that you graduated from the film school at Florida State University. Do you have any advice for young female filmmakers in (or recent graduates of) film school who hope to write and direct features?

Never give up! Girls rule, boys drool!

[nwbdmovie]

[scr33ncaps]

Not Waving But Drowning - Devyn Waitt (2012)

[kylestansbury]

“What do you see?”

Not Waving But Drowning (2012) - Dir. Devyn Waitt

[genevieveetguy]

This is our revolution summer.

Not Waving but Drowning, Devyn Waitt (2012)

[scr33ncaps]

Not Waving But Drowning - Devyn Waitt (2012)

[scr33ncaps]

Not Waving But Drowning - Devyn Waitt (2012)