Editor’s note: as a follow-up to Gabby’s recent review of new age thriller Reflect, we were pleased to get the opportunity to interview Dana Kippel. Not only does Dana take a starring role in Reflect (appearing in the role of Summer), but she’s also the film’s writer and director: we were keen to ask some questions about the experience of making the film, some of the themes which are important to Dana, both in this piece of work and in forthcoming projects, and some of the details of these projects. Over to Gabby and Dana!
Warped Perspective: Firstly, how do you define metaphysical horror/sci fi? And what were your influences in choosing this theme or style in Reflect?
DK: I would say this film is more metaphysical sci-fi…but metaphysical film in general uses elements of the filmmaking process to direct attention to the question of “reality”. It has to do with topics such as consciousness, the future, psychology, philosophy, and is usually a mix of science and spirituality. Some examples are Interstellar, Waking Life, I Origins and The OA. I would say metaphysical horror would be something like Beyond The Black Rainbow and The Void. Cool flicks.
WP: What were the biggest challenges of your debut feature film?
DK: EVERYTHING! Ha ha, I think challenging my self-limiting beliefs and doubts were the biggest challenge. The thoughts of “I can’t do this” or “I don’t deserve this”, “I can’t raise this money” would creep into my head. I just had to remind myself they were just thoughts and not facts. What are facts are the actions we take, despite our thoughts. If you push through, anything is possible. Besides that, I would say post production was the biggest challenge, because I am not patient and it took a very long time. At least what I thought was long, until I realized all movies take time. I have definitely matured and learned patience and more attention to detail in the post process since this film.
WP: How did you choose the shooting location? What did shooting on location make easier/more difficult?
DK: I chose it because I traveled to Sedona, Arizona and fell in love with it. I thought it would have great production value, because not many movies have actually been shot there. Shooting on location made the scenes easier on the way to where we had natural lighting, which saved time and the beauty was obvious. I would always like to shoot on location if I can – when I can. I love the naturalism of it. I think the only difficulty really was figuring out bathrooms, power sources, things like that.
WP: What was the biggest budget constraint when creating the alternate realities explored in Reflect?
DK: VFX for sure, as well as for cameras and lenses: we had them donated by production so we had to work with what we had.
WP: What did this piece say, from your perspective, about our origin and creation – being that this piece makes the statement that we have defined souls and a sense we are not alone in the universe? Or Is this simply a beautiful marriage of spirituality and science fiction?
DK: On our origin and creation, I think this movie hints to the fact that we are immortal outside this earthly realm we currently reside in. It also speaks to other realities and dimensions. Also, that the mind can project good or bad, depending on our perspective, and it’s all a reflection or projection. We need to heal ourselves in order to see the good in the world. Everything is literally a reflection of what’s inside of us. And the nature backdrop that our perspective reflects off…that is intelligent, too. It takes in what we project and reflects back to us not only our perspective, but possible things that can evolve us. It is silly to think nature is not intelligent. We are never alone. We have spiritual guides. We have our inner selves. We have a source, the universe, god, whatever you want to call it. And when we heal ourselves, we can reconnect with all of that and more!
WP: You have four upcoming projects, three shorts and another feature: can you tell us about these, and which project are you most excited about coming up and why?
DK: I am most excited to shoot my sci-fi flick this Summer (Inanna) and for my short (Damaged) to hit the festival circuit later this year or early next year. I can’t talk too much about my feature, but my short film is about my addiction and relapse when I was around 20-21, and I hope it brings more compassion to the disease of addiction.
WP: As a director, writer and performer, which hat did you find most difficult to wear?
DK: Performer. Directing and writing are like breathing for me. Acting feels very vulnerable in a way they don’t. It feels like I have to totally give myself over and vacate myself. At the end of the day, my body is tired from acting, whereas with directing my body is energized.
WP: Would you call Reflect feminist horror/sci fi? If so, is that an influence on your upcoming work? I see that Want To Hear a Story? and Damaged tread some familiar ground with female relationships and mental health respectively.
DK: Hmmm. I guess in a way, because it speaks to the divine feminine and the importance of that. But in reality, I would say I am just for all humans and my pure objective is to encourage healing, love, connection and curiosity in everyone. Men or women. I just think I naturally create female stories better because being a woman is my perspective!
WP: Thank you very much for speaking with us!