Ashton Avila
November Filmmaker of the Month
FILMMAKER BIO
Ashton Avila (she/her) is a Mexican American writer-director who grew up in Los Angeles, California and is a NALIP Emerging Creator alum. After falling in love with filmmaking as a child, she went on to study Film Media and Gender & Women’s Studies at the University of Rhode Island. Soon after, she worked for NBC’s Access Hollywood where she realized her passion for directing was pulling her towards her career’s next big step, attending Chapman University where she received her MFA in directing.
Ashton shadowed Academy Award nominated writer-director David O. Russell on his most recent production AMSTERDAM after working as his Creative Associate during development of the film. She previously shadowed director Elizabeth Allen Rosenbaum on Sofia Carson’s Come Back Home music video and director/former DGA President Martha Coolidge on an episode of TBS’s Angie Tribeca. In addition, she has been mentored by some of Hollywood’s best including Academy Award winning writer David S. Ward, SNL writer Anne Beatts, actress-producer Colleen Camp and many others. Her background in production also includes work for NBC, JJ Abrams’ Bad Robot, and more.
As for her own directing work, she directed the original Sony PlayStation pilot Two Roads and many award winning short films including two that have screened at Breck Film Fest: 1960s period drama I Got You Babe (winner of their Best Student Film award) and horror short Lake Forest Road. Ashton is currently in development for her first feature film as a director and has a couple screenplays in development with Roth Kirschenbaum Films. More of her work can be found at: AshtonAvila.com
Website: AshtonAvila.com
Instagram: @ashysmash8
FILMMAKER INTERVIEW
What are the specific qualities that, in your opinion, make a film great? Honesty, specificity and authenticity. When a filmmaker is specific about an experience, pulls it from a place of lived experience that is honest and raw, the authenticity of the piece shines through. This is across all collaborators in the production. Does the environment feel authentic? The sound? The light? Do the performances come from a place of truth? I have learned this is the best way to connect with an audience. These qualities can exist in any genre.
What’s harder? Getting started or being able to keep going? And what drives you to continue making films? The keeping going. That’s definitely harder in my experience. At the beginning you have an idea and you’re excited and you pitch it to everyone you want on your team and they get excited… then you have to keep that level of enthusiasm up not just for yourself, but to keep your team inspired and focused. You have to keep discovering new things you love about the story you’re telling. Especially in post production. I know a lot of filmmakers, myself included, who slow down in post production because it feels like you’re so close to the end you can stroll over the finish but that’s not a helpful mindset. Post production is still a third of the work! And you need to keep that excitement up and find joy in that process. I especially love working with my composer Andrew Scott Bell because his enthusiasm keeps me excited about how the story can continue to grow once production is over.
What is your favorite aspect of film production? I love collaboration. I love that I’m surrounded by a group of passionate people who have dedicated their lives to their craft. I love the new ideas my team brings to the table. They are so inspiring. I hired the hardest working and most talented people I can and give them space to make magic and it truly is magic. The people I work with are the most special part of the whole process.
Why did you choose to submit to the Breckenridge Film Festival? What do you look for in a festival where you hope to show your film? The first time I screened at Breck I believe was because of a recommendation from someone I was at school with. This is one of my favorite festivals. The programmers select a great show so every screening you are just blown away by the talent of the people surrounding you. I love that it’s a little get away from the world in the mountains and the involvement of the community to share their home with the filmmakers is truly so special. I met so many wonderful people… filmmakers and film lovers! It is always at the top of my list to submit. I have even shared the celebration of our experiences with my very talented writer-director-actor friend Christine Weatherup who has screened at the festival which makes it that much more special. I definitely look for that community when I am picking which festivals are worth submitting to.
What are the next project or projects you are beginning to work on? I have several scripts I’m working on myself and with my writing partners. Two of my screenplays are currently in development with Roth Kirschenbaum Films which I am really excited about. What I am most looking forward to… it is time for me to direct my first feature. My writing partner and I are currently working on an indie drama feature with the support of three talented ladies who are signed up on to produce the film. I can’t wait to share more once we move into pre-production but that’s all I can share for now!
If there is one or more thing you think would make the industry better, what would it be? Kindness and credit. Kindness is an obvious one. Credit… I don’t mean like literal scrolling credits at the end of a movie. I mean the acknowledgement when someone has worked really hard to create beautiful art. Acknowledging the individuals who brought the film together from the production designer who built the world down to the production assistant who is putting out fires for the producer that half the crew never even knows about. We work so hard in this industry and it is such a long journey, I don’t think we realize how far giving credit and gratitude to an individual for their work goes.