Interview with Independent Web Series Director and Producer #14

Written By Douglas Taurel

The interview is with independent film producer Vanessa Evans about her project "Green Girl Diaries," a modern-day adaptation of the musical "Wicked" centered around the college experiences of the characters.

The project was inspired by the merchandise her then-boyfriend gave her and her love for the character Elphaba. Evans talks about how the idea had been percolating since 2018, and after dealing with delays due to the pandemic, the project was finally completed in mid-2021. Evans discusses how she didn't have a fixed budget and took it day by day, finding or purchasing what was needed.

The film was shot by a team from Gargoyle Media, and Evans talks about the importance of finding a team that trusts and respects each other. She encourages young artists to create their own projects and to not be afraid to shoot on their phone. The interview ends with advice for directors to storyboard their films and to respect and inspire their teams to get them to buy into their vision. The project is planned for release on YouTube, and Evans can be found on social media as @NessaRose4199.

Major Themes we discuss:

  • How to take an idea and turn it into action with little to no budget.

  • The importance of creating your own projects

  • Creating and producing independent films and projects.

  • Using your iPhone to film your project

  • The importance of respecting and buying into your vision to get people to work for little money.

  • The value of Storyboarding and how it can help build confidence in filming and directing.

  • Overcoming challenges and limitations such as lack of budget, equipment, and resources.

  • Building a strong team and collaborating with others to bring a project to life.

  • Taking risks and pursuing your passion.

  • Learning from experience and seeking advice from others in the industry.

  • Persevering through setbacks and obstacles.

  • The importance of having a clear vision and plan for a project, including storyboarding and pre-production planning.

  • Leveraging social media and online platforms to promote and distribute content.

  • The power of storytelling and the impact it can have on audiences.

  • Emphasizing the message and themes of a project over technical flaws or limitations.

Douglas Taurel
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