Maria Panagiotidis Interview

1. What initially drew you to writing, directing, or producing and how has your journey in the industry shaped your creative vision?

I am an independent filmmaker who creates short films. I write, produce, and direct short films. But I also write feature film screenplays. I love films, and from a young age, I have loved films. I grew up watching all those classic Hollywood movies. When I was about sixteen I knew I wanted to make my films. This drew me to writing, directing, and producing so I went to film school at university. And then started to make my films. I love the whole process of making a film. I have only made short films. I have written several feature screenplays and write every day. I love everything to do with making films. Creating something is a very enjoyable process for me. My journey has shaped my creative vision in so much that I have taken on three roles for each production, that is writer, director, and producer. This allows me to be in control of the entire vision of the film. I am an independent filmmaker and having to take on these different roles has fed into my independence. I have forged a career path that protects the creative vision that I have as I am independent. I make what I want to make. I write what I want to write. I create what I want to create.    

What are the working titles of the three films currently in pre-production, and do you have any plans for their premiere or festival screenings that you'd be willing to share?

The three films are Quality, The Storyteller and The Dialogue. I will be entering them into film festivals and hoping for selection.

2. Can you describe your process for developing a new project? 

I am in the pre-production stages of three short films that I have written the screenplays for right now, and it is always an enjoyable process. However, I usually get an idea or see imagery of the film in my head. I often get images in my head more than anything else before I have even come up with a fully formed screenplay. And I go on from there. I brainstorm make points and then research. I research a lot. Then I write the screenplay and gather all of the elements to make the film. When I am writing the screenplay I have to answer several questions about the characters, the story, the plot, the structure, budgeting, and so on. I have a really helpful book, that I bought years ago, called 'The Screenplay Workbook' by Jeremy Robinson and Tom Mungovan. I refer to the workbook a lot before and during screenwriting. After writing the script I storyboard the film. I then go on through to the pre-production phase, then on to production and shooting the film, and finally to post-production.  

3. Do you have any specific rituals or techniques that help guide you?

I do have an important technique that I use for each film and that is thorough preparation. Full preparation is key, it is everything. If you get everything right in the pre-production stage you will find that the production and post-production will be a lot smoother. Everything will go well with great preparation. I am really careful with casting. This is an important part of the filmmaking process. Getting the casting right makes directing the performances more approachable. I never want to bore my audience so I am continually asking if what I am doing is interesting and entertaining. I ask all sorts of questions from the concept stage right through to the post-production.  

4. How do you approach creating characters or stories that are vastly different from your own experience or worldview? 

Creating characters or stories that are vastly different from my own experience or worldview is challenging. But this is where my imagination takes over and flies. Also doing a lot of research helps. Research aids the imagination when you are creating that screenplay. You need to be honest and open when creating characters and stories. It is hard work. I find that researching and reading help me a lot. I play a lot of "What if" games to answer questions of what characters would do or not do. I also use "The Screenplay Workbook" by Jeremy Robinson and Tom Mungovan. When writing a script I pretend that I am the character and I ask myself a whole host of questions. I also study other people, I observe people in my daily life and draw inspiration from that.    

5. You've likely worked across various genres and formats. What type of project do you find the most fulfilling to create or produce?

The most fulfilling projects for me are the ones that I have been with from the concept stage, through to the writing process, and then to development, pre-production, and post-production. The projects that I have initiated and stayed with right until they have been released to film festivals. I enjoy creating something out of nothing. Being with a project right from the start when it is just an idea or images in my head. These projects are the most fulfilling for me to create. I get a real buzz out of seeing a concept in my head come to fruition and become a film that is being screened at film festivals worldwide. Also, I love to work on projects that are of high quality. And ultimately the most fulfilling for me to create are the films that are seen by audiences around the world.  

6. What has been the most memorable or impactful experience you've had during the production process, and how did it shape your approach to future projects?

Probably the most memorable experience for me has been receiving a shopping agreement with a producer for one of my feature screenplays. The producer is looking for funds to make the film. Trying to get a feature film made involves a lot of rejection. Screenwriting is tough. You need to get used to rejection. You will have a lot of rejection. So to have a producer say yes to a project, that they liked the script enough to take it on is thrilling. This experience shaped my approach to future projects in so much that it taught me to do the work I want to see made. Things that I like. To create work that I like. That is important. When you do what you like there is an impetus to keep going through all of the rejections. You will receive a lot of rejection in this industry so you have to love your projects to keep on powering through all of the no's.    

7. How do you handle the emotional challenges of bringing intense or dramatic stories to life, either behind the camera or in the writer's room? 

The most difficult part for me, a time that has emotional challenges is in the writer's room when you are facing that blank page. Screenplay writing is challenging, emotional, and exhausting. The toughest thing about screenwriting is the amount of rejection you get. But I try to remember what they say that rejection is redirection. You have to write in a way that will shift the audience and take them to the time and place of your film. I handle emotional challenges and roller coaster rides by keeping a gratitude journal. In the journal, I write five things per day that I am grateful for. Through your writing, you have to make the audience feel so much. Of course this can take a toll on you, so it is important to take time out for yourself during the day and do something like go for a walk and/or meditate.  

8. With the rise of streaming platforms how do you feel the landscape of storytelling and content creation has evolved?

I think there is more variety now and more opportunities to make films. With all of the available streaming platforms, you have more chances of getting a film made and seen. The downside though is that streaming platforms might lead to a downturn in cinema attendance since viewers can now get films on streaming platforms quite soon. But the rise of streaming platforms is a good thing for viewers in so much that there is a lot of competition now amongst the streaming platforms and this too leads to better content creation and more varied stories that are being told. Also, content creating websites like You Tube and Vimeo allows filmmakers to get their films seen by an audience. You can upload a film and other content to these two platforms and instantly get an audience. But streaming platforms are changing the entertainment scene. They are changing how stories are now being relayed to the consumer or audience. There is however a downside to the rise of streaming platforms for an audience in so much that it is now probably costlier to access entertainment with the fact that streaming platforms need a monthly fee to be able to access content.

9. What advice would you give to aspiring writers, directors, or producers who are just starting in the industry?

Stop just thinking about the films you want to make and start making them. There is a time and place for thinking and then you just have to act. Stop thinking and start doing. There will never be a perfect time. Get started and everything will fall into place with good organization and preparation. Get the film made, and out there and seen in film festivals. It helps if you love art, photography, drama and acting, design, and other creative endeavors. Crew on other people's films. I started by being part of the film crew for films voluntarily. Volunteering is a great way to build skills, learn, and gain experience, and knowledge. You learn a lot by being part of the film crew of a movie whether it is a short or feature. And read a lot, read books on films and filmmaking. Also, study. It is great if you can go to film school but if you can't there are still plenty of ways that you can study online. Also, study how to direct actors, it helps if you take acting classes too. Read books on directing actors, but above all do. There are many online courses that you can study. Watch lots of films too. Writing every day is a fantastic way to hone your screenwriting skills. These are some of the things that have been helpful to me. But it is really important to make the films. This is how you get distribution and licensing deals. Remember your script will never be perfect. There comes a time when you have to say it is good enough and go out there and make that film or films. Making films will get you and your work seen and noticed. Opportunities can arise from that.