Every year, six talented, new filmmakers are chosen from hundreds of applicants to make a short film for Crazy8’s.
Crazy8s provides filmmakers with a significant boost to their projects. Six finalists receive $2000 each, plus an in-kind production package and post-production service valued at up to $50,000. This includes professional equipment, mentorship, and access to locations, helping them complete their short film within eight days.
There is a huge gala screening at the Vancouver Centre.
We met with directors Jacki Gunn and Della Haddock to talk about their careers and The Thing Inside Her.
HNMAG: How did you both become interested in film and TV?
Della Haddock: It’s always felt like a natural pull for me. I was that kid who would write plays for the schoolyard, or I’d be at a family gathering holding everyone hostage with my show or some gag I’d learned. I’d be like, “You’re gonna watch my five act Christmas play, or else!” I started exploring different mediums as a kid; I did a lot of musical theatre and dance. I’m old enough to have been watching movies in the pre-streaming era, so I spent a lot of my youth in video stores, or rewatching whatever films I had at home. I didn’t start writing for film and TV in earnest until my 20s, and I was lucky to work for some cool women along the way, who inspired me further.
Jacki Gunn: For me, growing up my mum wasn’t keen on having a television in the house. Anything we wanted to watch was either in theatres or via a DVD on our computer. If you remember the original Netfilx DVD delivery system, we’d get those about once a month. Anyway, I think this early media deprivation created such a massive craving for movies and television deep within me, and I sort of vowed I was going to be in and around movies for the rest of my life.
HNMAG: How did you two meet?
Della Haddock: We met as ensemble members at The Improv Centre on Granville Island. Jacki and I are both improv comedians, among the other hats we wear.
HNMAG: Was there any improv in the shoot at all?
Della Haddock: We did a little bit here and there, especially in rehearsals. There was definitely an openness to the energy of it. As a screenwriter, improv is so helpful in the writing process because you can really get into a scene or character from all angles and options. We had some phenomenal and really funny people on board, all experienced improvisers. We had performances that we wouldn’t have gotten without improvisers.
HNMAG: How did the pitch happen for Crazy 8s?
Jacki Gunn: I submitted three days before the deadline, like a real psycho. It was a very spur of the moment thing, but I wrote the first draft of the script about a year ago. I knew that I was gonna get to make this movie somehow because the night after I finished writing it, I came home, and right in front of my door, on the fence outside, two slugs were making love. It’s kind of a crazy site if you’ve never seen it. They twist around each other and spin.
HNMAG: Did you pour beer on them?
Jacki Gunn: Good question, I did not. Honestly, it was kind of beautiful. They dangle. They create a slime rope for themselves and dangle three feet in the air.
HNMAG: Wow. Like Cirque Du Soliel.
Jacki Gunn: Oui, oui.
HNMAG: Della, how did you become a co-director on the project?
Della Haddock: I’ve been running a long con where I got to know Jacki so that I could weasel my way into her life. But we also had the idea that we were going to collaborate on something together, eventually. It was mostly improv and stage related at first. Jacki was nice enough to say “I’m doing this, do you want to go in on it with me?” I am really lucky that past-me said “yes” and that I was given that level of trust. It’s mutual!
HNMAG: Jacki, what inspired you to explore IUD’s in this story?
Jacki Gunn: Generally we don’t see or hear much about hormonal birth control in media which is strange considering how many people use it, and have had these types of experiences. There are really interesting stories to tell there. This script was inspired by a less than positive personal experience with an IUD and the experiences of people I know that have had them.
HNMAG: The entire experience seems so invasive. Wouldn’t it be easier for a man to get a vasectomy?
Jacki Gunn: Louder for the people in the back!
HNMAG: Do either of you have any creative plans moving forward?
Jacki Gunn: There’s a lot of things in the works. I’m working on my first feature script at the moment. Partnering with Crazy 8s has helped us have a little bit more of a stage, which is really nice. Hopefully this film can work as sort a calling card for, not just myself and Della, but for all of our super talented crew and cast who worked on this. We’ve been so lucky and we’re really hoping to showcase their work so we can all make more projects together.
Della Haddock: Yeah, one hundred percent. I’m trying to get a feature off the ground with a production company in Toronto at the moment. I’ve got another feature project that had development support from Creative BC, which is inspiring some other non-fiction writing for me at the moment. I am working on a proof of concept for that feature, as well, that’s where some of my creative focus is at the moment. I’m a story editor, so I’m trying to build up a body of work in that arena, too.
HNMAG: Are your features set in Canada, as well?
Della Haddock: They are, yes. BC specifically.
HNMAG: Is the industry moving towards more productions being set in Canada?
Della Haddock: I think it’s exciting to let Canada be the place that stories take place without it feeling like we’re hanging a hat on it. This is where these characters exist and this is how it affects their lives and behaviour… For a long time, we’ve chased this idea that we have to make something “Canadiana” for it to be “Canadian”. But of course, what has shaped my identity in this country is different from the next person. There are several Canadian auteur filmmakers exploring their success on a global scale right now, and I admire them for setting up a new path for emerging filmmakers to walk down. It feels like we’re redefining our tastes and setting a high bar.
HNMAG: If it’s a good movie, entertaining and compelling, it doesn’t matter where it’s set, people will want to watch it.
Della Haddock: Absolutely. It’s about the story right? The more specific you are, the more universal your story becomes. Detail and authenticity are everything.
HNMAG: What else are you excited about?
Della Haddock: Jacki and I run an improv show together at Little Mountain Gallery, called Maximalist Improv. Our next show is in September – Check the Little Mountain Gallery calendar! You can also catch me teaching at Blind Tiger Comedy, or performing with Hot Characters in Your Area. I’m also working on a *serious* collection of essays that I’ll be sharing later this year, in some format or another. You can follow me on Instagram if you’re into that.
Jacki Gunn: I agree with Della, support local comedy! But yeah, I’m excited for the momentum Canadian film and television has at the moment, and like everyone, hope that Canada can start taking risks on new artists and strange new content. Like Crazy8s did for us and our freaky little slimy film.
Della Haddock and Jacki Gunn are wonderful performers who work even better together most likely due to all their shared comedy improv experience. “Yes, and” practice is much easier than telepathy but audiences cannot distinguish the difference. Through the Crazy8s film contest, Della and Jacki were able to showcase their dark comedy and wonderfully imaginative creativity with the very entertaining short film The Thing Inside Her. We are sure there will be more exciting film projects from Jacki and Della and we look forward to sharing those with you when they get released.