Meet the Directors #2: Katie Ettl

Meet the director of "What Did You Call Me?" Katie Ettl

How would you describe your film and the inspiration behind it?

My film is a coming-of-age story about self-acceptance. I can't talk about this film without talking about its key theme: feminism. Feminism is an important part of my life, and it has followed me since I was very young, before I even had a definition of what feminism is. The script for "What Did You Call Me?" is inspired by actual moments in my life. I started the screenplay last year in my previous film class where we were assigned to write about a moment of discovery that once experienced, it changed your life almost instantaneously. My moment occurred when I was 10 years old. I had complained to my mom about my twin brother never being asked to set the kitchen table for dinner. She replied by jokingly calling me a "feminist". Imagine telling a 10 year old that? I was so confused, yet also intrigued! After that, it felt like the word "feminist" followed me like a shadow as I moved on to middle school and high school. Having a twin brother and growing up in a small, conservative town also made gender roles more emphasized in my life. I didn't fully realize what feminism was and what being a feminist meant until I got to college and started being a part of different clubs and becoming a Women's & Gender Studies minor. I decided to write a film inspired by these moments in my life because I think it tells a relatable and important story revolving around radical self-love, which isn't represented much in mainstream film and TV.  

What has been your favorite part of working on this project?

I have a lot of favorite parts from working on this project, but here's a few. Listening to people, especially women, react positively and relate to my story has given me so much joy. Working with the cast and crew was a blast, everyone had such great energy on our set that it made all the stress of making a film worth it. Overall, seeing my story come to life through the beautiful cinematography, acting, and editing has been better than therapy!

What was it like working collaboratively with the rest of the team?

My team is imperfectly perfect - goofy, yet so driven; and it just seemed fitting that the production crew is made up of all women. I felt empowered every day we met to work. My team - Savannah, Kelsey, and Megan - gave me the support I needed to believe in this project when things got rough and they all brought their own twist to our picture. I know this won't be the only film I get the pleasure to work with them on!

What films have been the most inspiring or influential to you and why? Coming-of-age films and stories about family always seem to influence me, because I find those two genres to be the most relatable to my own life experiences. For "What Did You Call Me?" in particular, films such as Greta Gerwig's "Lady Bird", Dee Rees' "Pariah", and Miyazaki's "Spirited Away" inspired me to develop a young and strong female lead who's complexities, ideas, and dreams are just as prevalent in the story as her gender. These films also comment on the relationship between the strength of being a part of a family and the autonomy of being your own independent person, and how those two concepts can antagonize each other. I tried to emulate that commentary in my film, and show that there is possibility for the two to coexist.

 Based on your experience making this film, what is one piece of advice you have for first time filmmakers?

My advice I have for first time filmmakers is: 1) Always believe that you have a story to tell. 2) Do not be intimidated by the process of making a film. And 3) just like I told my actors whenever they would get out of the camera frame, whenever you feel the urge to go back - step forward.