Profile: Lauren Turigliatto

Why did you pick this subject for Fresh?

Being from America, school shootings are something that hit home, especially since I’ve been in lock-down myself at school due to intruders on campus. When this particular shooting happened in my home state, it was really affecting due to the shooter’s motivations and it has stuck with me. I wanted to bring a taste of another nationality while also being able to allow the audience to connect through a subject matter that is very relevant to the typical age group that compose much of the BBC 3 audience.

What motivated you to make this film?

I think we have a long way to go toward gender equality, but feel that the idea of feminism has become sort of alienating. As soon as that word comes up, a lot of people tune out. Therefore, I wanted to show this alternative perspective of the discussion, as I believe people of all genders working together is vital if things are going to keep progressing in a positive way and end these acts of hatred.

What equipment did you use to shoot the film?

Our cinematographer, Tiago Espirito Santo, shot on the Panasonic 101.

Tell us about post-production.

Our editor, Manou Cardon, did a really great job condensing the large amount of footage that we compiled, editing in Final Cut Pro 7. She also did the grading, created all the graphics, and worked closely with me to create a soundscape for the film.

Who/what inspires you?

As far as directors who inspire me, Ron Howard, Sam Mendes, Frank Darabont, and J.J. Abrams come to mind. I really look to filmmakers who aren’t afraid to cross genres. I get that question a lot, “What kind of movies do you want to make?” I’ve always found that a bit odd, because my answer is always going to be that I’ll make any kind of story that interests me. I don’t want to be placed in a box and those directors make powerful films without an overwhelmingly signature style that screams it’s them, so the focus really is able to zero in on the characters and stories.

What are your plans for the future?

I want to continue developing as a filmmaker by acting as a writer/director for feature films and television.

What is the most important thing you have learned so far?

One huge thing I’ve learned so far has been the importance of having a passionate, motivated crew who are all invested in the project and share the same end vision of the film. Despite some of the hiccups we encountered during this production, the perseverance of everyone involved made some big issues not seem that big at all because we were all unanimously determined to make the best film we possibly could.