Meet Elizabeth MacCarrig Dunn | Writer & Director

We had the good fortune of connecting with Elizabeth MacCarrig Dunn and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Elizabeth Maccarrig, is there a quote or affirmation that’s meaningful to you?
One of my favorite quotes is by my favorite composer, Frederic Chopin: “Every difficulty slurred over will be a ghost to disturb your repose later on.” As a classically trained pianist, I find I can not only relate to it as I’m mastering a piano piece, but the quote relates to directing a lot as well.

Directing a film takes unyielding perseverance. Like any perfectionist, I know how important every step of the way is – there’s no room for laziness or slurring over challenges, especially in pre-production. Even the smallest things you think no one will notice are important.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I graduated with my bachelor’s degree in TV & Film with highest honors from Rowan University at 16 years old. After moving to LA, I went on to earn my Master of Fine Arts in Film with Distinction from ArtCenter College of Design at the age of 19.

It always takes a few moments for people to wrap their heads around that.

Being able to pursue my passion for screenwriting and directing from such a young age has been both my greatest blessing and greatest challenge, rewarding me with a very singular voice as an artist as well as the self-confidence to take on projects that are pretty ambitious.

My thesis short film, The Hunt, which recently screened at the Wyoming International Film Festival, was a major undertaking. We lodged the entire cast and crew of about 25 in a cabin in California’s San Bernardino Mountains (after having to postpone twice due to historic snowstorms), and took on challenges like constructing sets in rugged terrain on the side of a mountain, overnight shoots in the cold, and logistically just running a set in the middle of nowhere. Being so young and taking on the critical role of director in front of my talented team, to say I was a bit overwhelmed would be an understatement. Who would listen to a young girl like myself? But when I’m on set, the director in me takes over, and I’ve learned that directing is not just about being able to lead and gain trust, but dedicating yourself to and trusting in your crew in each and every department.

I’ve always known I wanted to be writing alongside directing. I even published my own children’s book when I was 12. A research buff, I like to set my narratives in immersive, unseen settings and historical time periods, often within the coming-of-age genre. For The Hunt, I related my journey as a woman in the film industry to my personal experiences growing up in a deer hunting family, exploring themes of self-validation.

People are also taken by surprise to learn that I work on film sets as a key grip.

If you don’t know what grips do (because some industry people don’t even understand), they work with cinematographers and gaffers to build camera and lighting setups, often involving complex rigging, heavy-lifting, and problem-solving. But the most important part of a key grip’s role on set is maintaining safety. With women making up less than 1 percent of key grips working in the industry, I had the rare chance to be mentored by Melanie Ragone (who has worked on major films like Black Panther) through Women in Film’s Artisan & Crew Fellowship. So far, I am the only Key Grip to be inaugurated into their fellowship program, but I’m passionate about advocating for other women interested in below-the-line positions.

My unique experiences as a grip have not only proven I have the moxie to work one of the most rigorous, male-dominated positions, but has wildly impacted my perspective as a director and my ability to delegate and communicate with my crew.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I would definitely take them to Olvera Street! It’s such a vibrant and colorful place that feels like no other in LA for me. We’d get some café de olla and check out the Avila Adobe museum, the oldest building in Los Angeles. I’m big into history, and there are a bunch of other cool museums there too.

For food, breakfast food is my absolute favorite, so we’d hit up Russell’s Diner in Old Town Pasadena or Little Dom’s in Los Feliz for their delicious breakfast pizza.

If they like thrifting, I’d show them around Playclothes in Burbank. It’s the absolute coolest place with everything from wild costumes to gorgeous vintage dresses and antique knick knacks. Magnolia Boulevard is filled with vintage and antique shops you could spend the whole day getting lost in.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My mom has been my biggest champion and supporter. She gave me the courage to follow my dreams and always believed I was capable even when I doubted myself. I dedicate this shout out to her!

Website: https://www.elizabethmdunn.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/el1zabethdunn/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-dunn-4195161b7/