Meet Maria Capp | Independent filmmaker: Director, Writer, Producer, Teacher

We had the good fortune of connecting with Maria Capp and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Maria, we’d love for you to start things off by telling us something about your industry that we and others not in the industry might be unaware of?
There are many things about the independent filmmaking industry that outsiders are probably unaware of. The one thing that stands out to me as I stand here and reflect on my beginning journey 7 years ago is that this is a long, arduous, and very individual journey. No two paths are the same. There is no such thing as an overnight success either. A long journey: it takes years of consistent discipline whether that’s writing everyday, attending networking events and seeking out like minded industry professionals willing to “pay it forward” or simply creating, creating, creating content. An arduous journey indeed: it’s hard. And there are some good days where you see the light; you see the result of your consistent work ethic only to wake up another day with another tall mountain to climb. Everyone’s journey is unique. What has served me over the last several years is to be patient, polite, professional and persistent. I call these the four P’s. This is NOT an industry for folks that believe it is an easy industry. This last year alone, I have worked a B job, worked on other’s IP as a producer, line producer, and production manager, written three feature scripts, found a sales / distribution partner for two feature films, two projects selected in a film festival, continue to develop IP, screening other’s IP for potential option and so on. What drives me on a daily basis is the faith and commitment from my partner and husband to see things through and the clear vision of what I want and where I see my production company and where I see myself as a storyteller. I am inspired by Jane Champion’s Academy Award win at the age of 70 +!.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My art is simply to create visually compelling stories with identifiable characters who are authentic and relatable to our everyday lives. I tend to tell stories about young adults transitioning and the generational support or lack of in my stories. I just completed post production on my second directing gig of a feature film, and my first completely solo writing of a feature, The Lady of The Lake a.k.a. The Legend of Lake Ronkonkoma. The film stars Seth Gilliam (The Walking Dead, Teen Wolf) and Nia Sioux (Dance Moms, Social Influencer) in a father daughter story that follows follows Jamie (Nia Sioux), a recent high school graduate who wishes to enjoy her last summer at the lake and her 18th birthday with her friends. Overshadowed by the one-year anniversary of her brother’s drowning, her estranged relationship with her father (Seth Gilliam) and unexplained supernatural occurrences that haunt the once happy Schultz family, Jamie certainly will not get the summer she was hoping or expecting. I am particularly proud of this project because I believe I achieved what I set out to create and that was a visually stimulating story that shows and not tells. Many times, early in one’s career, we tend to over write and forget how to execute the story visually. I grew up on Lake Ronkonkoma and knew the landscape’s beauty, the sounds of nature that surrounded the lake and wanted to capture that in this film. I am in love with the how the picture turned out and even more in love with the score and sound design by our amazingly talented composer, Darren Morze. This has been a 4 year journey from creating the story’s plot line even though I’ve always known I would write a story about what is like growing up near the Lake. Four years to create the right script, with strong enough compelling characters and tie in the truth of the people including the Native American people who lived on Lake Ronkonkoma many years before my family. The biggest lesson I’ve learned along the way is that you are the only one who can lead the way. You need a clear vision and you need to communicate and lead that vision with passion and commitment to attract others along the way who become equally excited and committed. The one thing I’d love for folks to take away and remember me by is that I tell stories of the underdog, of overcoming obstacles that people face in everyday life and that I also provide opportunities to those I choose to work with. I choose people who are emerging or not readily given opportunities to work in this field especially women and first timers. My film sets are majority women and emerging filmmakers.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
So, depending upon where my friend is visiting me; is it Long Island, New York City or in Los Angeles? Also it will depend upon where my friend comes from. For right now, I am going to pick Long Island, New York. Come and visit me on Long Island – Suffolk County – Sayville, New York to be specific. We would start the morning in town for a nice fresh brewed cup of coffee from the Coffee Bean and possibly grab a freshly made juice. I would take them on a ferry ride to Fire Island to spend the day at the beach. Afterward head back to the mainland for a late lunch early dinner at La Tavola and then head back to Foster Avenue Park to watch the sunset on the south bay. If we had another day together, I would take them to Port Jefferson and visit the main town and port for homemade ice cream and a walk on the docks to watch the Bridgeport ferry boat come and go. I like water and appreciate the beauty of the two coasts of Long Island, New York. New York City and Los Angeles are two completely different worlds and I could equally take my guest along a fantastic experience that includes: italian vegan food, a comedy show, mountains – a hike – the pacific ocean (LA) or a Broadway show and a 360 degree view of the southern part of Manhattan near the Brooklyn Bridge of course ending at Nona’s for some of the best Italian food in Little Italy. I like food and I like a view.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Filmmaking is not a solo endeavor. Team work makes the dream work. I surround myself with like minded energy people who are emerging and/or needing the opportunity to learn while adding value with their other skill set to support my company’s vision. I have a human resources recruiting and training/development background which has served me in identifying core skills that one possesses and how those core skills are applicable in other disciplines. With a little bit of training and guidance, we find that mutual synergy of adding value. My team of assistants, my family who work in the field and support my company’s endeavors as needed with consistent and unconditional trust in the dream, my legal team and other collaborators who have supported the work. My dad is a huge “cheerleader” and I am grateful for his wisdom, encouragement and investment. There is one person in particular who has provided a wealth of time, energy and resources while mentoring and partnering to support taking my projects across the finish line. I could not have achieved what I’ve achieved without Kristi Kilday, CEO of KO Creative. Her wisdom, mentorship and ability to support my delivering my films has been invaluable! And finally, the textbook, Producer to Producer written by Maureen A. Ryan. Maureen’s book is used as an academic textbook and is the blueprint and an easy to follow step by step guide to filmmaking from the producer’s POV.

Website: cappricielli.com

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

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariacapp/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/maria.capp1

Other: mariacapp.com

Image Credits
Cathryn Farnsworth