Interview with Ella May

Ella started out simply writing in her spare time and increased from there eventually working with big productions. She produced her own films, and helped out other people too. 

Ella believes respect towards her team and cast is very important. This, I wholeheartedly understand as I’ve worked with a former writer on one of his films and we all had deep respect for each other. Ella especially loves history, mythology, and just about anything from the past. Most of her interest came from her history teacher many years ago which fascinated her. Her latest films have been Hidden Endangerment which is currently in post-production, and Zerene which are both short films. She also made a feature called Sunflower Dreams which is currently in the process of editing.

Want to know more about Ella and her films? Well, just keep reading!

 

HNMAG: You’ve been working on  a film called Hidden Endangerment recently. It talks about a young girl with high intelligence. What was the inspiration?

Ella May: I kind of got the idea when the studios and filmmakers started pushing Artificial Intelligence in the films, but it wasn’t completely related to that as well. With new technology and the world changing, we are slowly stepping into the world of clones and AI replacing some of us as well as some of the jobs. It happened in the past, I am sure that many famous or very intelligent people were forced to use the intelligence in science and technology to move it further. Probably many times against their will and against their beliefs. That kind of gave me the idea. Talking clearly about how easily we can fall in a trap, how easily things can change, and how dangerous the world is going to be. The danger never really sleeps especially for younger generations to be aware of that. Anything can happen in the split of a second. 

 

HNMAG: It was revealed to be made last year during August. What was the experience like making the film?

Ella May: I like to work with people who are kind, respectful. I consider myself easygoing, flexible, but as respectful and kind I think it’s taking us further. It helps us to find people likewise working towards the same goal, working in a more equal environment. To me, whether I’m a director, producer, or actress I consider everyone as equal. We all need it, we all have purpose. 

 

HNMAG: This seems to be your first science fiction short. Do you plan to do more sci-fi?

Ella May: I did actually release another film called Zerene in July. It’s about half an hour, and I look at it as a pilot project or a start of the new world. It’s a fantasy mixed with real world. It’s about a girl caught between two worlds. Her ancestors are back from Etruscan times which were people who occupied Northern Italy and Tuscany. 

 

HNMAG: Okay, we’ll talk a little about Zerene later. How long did it take to make Hidden Endangerment?

Ella May: We filmed in 2 days and we started editing to find out it was a little too short for me. I do have distributors and agents contacting me, I am assuming it’s about what they see on my IMDB page, even about my short films. I know that short films have been released on many platforms, including Netflix. But I’m finding it has to be at least 20 minutes or longer. We decided to add to Hidden Endangerment and 2 weeks ago we added 1 full day so we should have the film at 20 minutes and that will be released this year sometimes.

 

HNMAG: Now you’re working on Faultless of Old which takes place in Europe of 1550. Did you have to do a lot of research after coming up with the concept?

Ella May: Actually, I know a bit and the idea was born around Halloween last year. Just before Halloween I came across an interesting story about witches that someone posted on Facebook. When we go back to history of witch hunting, women who were accused of witchcraft were just regular women. Beautiful women. They did not even look close to the picture we have right now. How did it happen? These women were put in a dungeon, their noses were broken, their teeth, they were starved to death and their hair was pulled. When they came out to be burned, this is not really the true face of a witch. That’s how I came up with the idea of a beautiful woman that’s innocent and being accused of witchcraft. 

 

 

Ella couldn’t say much else besides the fact that how witches are explained via history for the reason of the pictures we see on Halloween decor today (doesn’t quite explain the green skin though). But she did explain the idea is a very confidential one careful not to be accused of theft and/or getting the idea stolen. It sounds more complex than one would think. 

 

HNMAG: Is everything going along well in your career?

Ella May: Yes, it is. When I was young, I never thought I’d become an actress. I often travel. Arts galleries, museums, those are places where I often find interest. Not just on the beach sitting doing nothing. As well, becoming an actress took a long time because I have a family I devoted myself to. But then I slowly started stepping into writing more. I do actually have a creative side of writing so I started writing poetry, some songs that I co-wrote. I do have one that I wrote the lyrics and a country singer Alexa wrote the music so we collaborated. The song is being used in my feature film that’s not released yet. 

 

HNMAG: Will Faultless of Old be a short or a feature?

Ella May: That’s a good question. I don’t know for sure yet, I would love to do a full feature film. If possible, I would like to collaborate. I can’t really say much, but I would love to collaborate with the cast and crew from another country. I am a European Union Citizen so I have an opportunity to work in many countries which honestly would be much smarter and easier since there’s still persevered buildings and the woods would fit the theme of the film. Here in Canada, it would be possible but all the structures and buildings wouldn’t work. I’m thinking of filming in a village. It’s not as easy to find a place, where in Europe it’s still possible to find so much and talk with locals to collaborate. Bringing cast and crew from Canada, and hiring some locals, that’s my dream.

 

HNMAG: And what do you hope to gain out of making this film?

Ella May: Every time I write and step in the character of a writer or producer, I’m thinking of something interesting to the audience. Giving exposure to the cast and crew working together, so you would say a masterpiece or something that people would enjoy watching. 

 

 

Ella went on to talk about the actors in Zerene and how well they did their parts. They were very strong and confident in their roles, so she was very inclusive in hiring actors with special needs and special skills. Hearing this impressed me working with someone who is slightly autistic. With Ella being very open and inclusive, she guarantees roles to many different kinds of people, different cultures, and more.

 

HNMAG: Let’s talk some more about Zerene. You said it got a private release last year. What was the reaction from the audience?

Ella May: They were actually very impressed. That was my first film, stepping into directing and writing. Developing the film was challenging for me, but it was scary. When it’s your first film you don’t know the reactions, or what’s going to happen everyday on set. The reaction after the release was “We want more! Give us more!” and as I said, Zerene could go into maybe 8-10 more episodes. Indie filmmakers, we face a big challenge of finances. As many filmmakers, they started small with short films and on their way working on other productions as well. Making money, turning that money into their own films, they slowly established themselves. I’m happy where I am, whatever becomes I’ll be happy, i just love the art, the craft, I love working in the film industry. Whatever comes my way, I won’t be disappointed.

 

HNMAG: How are the plans for a series coming along?

Ella May: Right now, like I said the finances are the biggest challenge. There’s still expenses we need to face, as producers we invest from our pocket. It is a risky thing becuase most of the time short films don’t bring any revenue. Sometimes they would, if it gets the interest of filmmakers they’d do collaborations. Zerene was released and I had good critique and that’s what I was looking for. I got good reviews on it and decided to improve it before submitting it to big festivals.

 

HNMAG: Will Zerene get a public screening someday soon?

Ella May: Right now, it’s in the hands of the editor to improve it. I’m really looking forward to both films. I’m not exactly sure when Sunflower Dreams will be released, I was hoping it will this year. Unfortunately, with finding an editor for a short film it costs less money than for a full feature. We’re talking thousands of dollars for editing, colour correction, and music. Special effects are needed for Hidden Endangerment and I am hoping in the late Fall we will have both, Zerene and Hidden Endangerment in the public release.

 

HNMAG: And Zerene talks about a girl caught between worlds. How did you find the perfect way to execute that?

Ella May: We’re going back to Etruscan time so you know there is lineage. We do have people before us, so Zerene comes from the first. She’s the last princess of an Etruscan Queen and King. They were a lovely peaceful family who got along, so Zerene is the last survivor of that line of rulers. She has a special power that she’s not aware of. Her mom hid the secret, pushed the past away wanting to protect her. In the real world, her name is Elula. Her mother has to tell the truth to protect her even more.

 

 

HNMAG: Now have any of your films screened at film festivals? Do you hope to get into those as well?

Ella May: No, I was ready for Zerene, we had a little hiccup and I don’t want to send Zerene to a festival to be rejected. Main reason is the copyrights. Filmmakers who are thinking about producing their own films, to make sure if you’re using inserts or anything that doesn’t belong to you, you have the copyrights. I absolutely want to get into festivals in the future.

 

HNMAG: What other concepts do you have in mind for the future?

Ella May: I have more stories that I could produce, I have a nice story called Christmas Fire Truck, and I would love to produce a ghost story actually based on my family experiences and a story told by my mom, they were like bedtime stories. My mom would share ghost stories with us before we went to sleep about things that happened in different families and neighbours. That was a very beautiful special time for me, so I’d love to produce films based on those stories. 

 

HNMAG: According to your IMDB credits, you did some light acting on the side. Did you transition from acting to directing or do you keep a balance of the two?

Ella May: If I have a chance, I would not mind stepping into a role of actress. I’m not afraid of rejections and critiques, it actually inspires me to do better. In a way of acting, I would love to have a chance of course. But I’m finding directing and producing is more fulfilling for me. Especially at this age. 

 

HNMAG: What is your biggest hope for working in the film industry?

Ella May: I’m staying grounded, whatever will happen, will happen. If my films become bigger, I’d be grateful and I am grateful as always especially for my crew working together. If something happens, it’ll happen to all of us. I’m hearing that I am inspiring other filmmakers with my stories, my locations, and the way I set the scenes. I hope that I at least inspire and help other filmmakers too. That’s what I’m looking for. 

 

Ella is doing amazing, and I’m very impressed with how she has gotten. I’m hoping that her films become bigger and I especially hope that she gets more progressive as she goes. Age can’t stop anyone, as long as they’re passionate. That’s what Ella proves to us.