Meet Walter Haussner
CAREER JOURNEY AND INSPIRATION
What was the defining moment that made you realize you wanted to pursue filmmaking (or your role in the industry)?
Watching 2001: A Space Odyssey when I was ten.
Who or what has had the greatest influence on your creative journey?
My father, Rudolf Haussner, and my mentor, Steve Bluestone.
What was your first project, and what did you learn from it?
Eadie (2019). It taught me to take chances, improvise and overcome, and always be flexible.
Looking back, what was the biggest challenge you faced breaking into the industry?
Getting over my insecurities about having my work out there.
Which project are you most proud of, and why?
Xpendable. It is a Film Noir in the classic sense and has been in over fifty-five festivals worldwide, to include the biggest Film Noir Festival in Europe, which is a festival dedicated to classic film noir and is curated by film scholars and writers. Though the festival is generally not open to submissions, they accepted my film anyway and it was the only short film in the festival.
CREATIVE PROCESS AND BEHIND THE SCENES
Can you walk us through your process when starting a new project?
I read a lot, looking for inspiration and also walk and hike a lot, which helps me visualize the film. After hikes, I take notes and eventually write the script from those notes.
How do you approach developing a story or visual style?
The visual style is very important to me. I scout locations, observe them during different lighting conditions, which may affect the script, and then create a style that works best for the story.
What’s something about the filmmaking process most people would be surprised to learn?
How many happy accidents there are. When you are shooting on a very limited budget, things will go wrong and things will happen that are very much out of your control. I started to look at the scripts and the productions as jazz pieces. In jazz, you know the melody and structure and you know what improvisations you can use and still remain within the intent of the piece. I look at my films similarly. Circumstances may dictate a change in character, dialogue, location, etc., but if the “piece” (the film) still has its integrity, you can do it.
Can you share a behind-the-scenes moment that changed the way you view filmmaking?
Something that taught me to be flexible was when, on my first film, I had to remove the lead actress the day before shooting started. Thankfully, a production assistant took the role and she did fantastically.
How do you handle creative differences with collaborators?
I hear them out. Good ideas can come from anyone, and this is a collaborative art form. However, the decision is ultimately mine about what to do or not do. Directing by committee does not work.
PUSHING BOUNDARIES
How do you challenge yourself to tell stories in ways that haven’t been done before?
I try to make movies I would like to watch, and I do like uniqueness and story innovation. When plotting a scene, I watch a lot of movies, especially foreign and independent films, for inspiration.
What risks have you taken creatively that paid off?
I used a 74-year-old woman with no acting experience for a lead role in Xpendable because I thought she had it in her. She received many laudatory remarks for her portrayal as well as film festival acting nominations and awards.
Have you ever taken a risk that didn’t work out, and what did you learn from it?
Conversely to question twelve, I have taken risks with non-actors and it didn’t work out. The lady in question twelve was the exception. I learned to stick with experience.
How do you balance personal storytelling with universal themes that connect to wider audiences?
I try to make my personal stories as accessible as possible. There is a fine balance here. You want to be true to yourself, but you don’t want to bore or alienate people with self-indulgence.
In what ways do you see film as a tool for cultural or social change?
Film allows the viewer to put other people’s shoes on and walk around in them. No other medium, besides the short story, can quite do that in less than two hours. Unfortunately, people read less and less…especially short stories.
FUNDING AND SUSTAINABILITY
What has been your experience with raising funds for projects?
Fortunately, my films are such low budget affairs that I can personally finance them.
How do financial constraints influence your creativity?
Financial constraints make me inventory what I do have to offer for very little money and to use that to the fullest extent For example, what potential props do I have around the house that can add production value to a scene? What facilities, buildings, etc., do I have access to that are visually interesting and add to the film? What locations are in my vicinity that would add production value? Always make it visually interesting.
What strategies have helped you sustain a career in such a competitive industry?
This is a hobby for me, not a career. I have had two full careers –military and county government – so, I do this for my pleasure.
What advice would you give to filmmakers who are struggling to secure funding?
Exploit crowdfunding, social media, social gatherings, and places of worship.
Do you think access to funding is getting easier or harder for emerging filmmakers today?
Funding may be harder, but the availability of affordable digital cameras with good image capturing capability, good sound at small costs, and an entire post-production facility in your laptop…all this offsets access to funding to a very large degree.
What advice would you give a newbie on how to raise funds for their first project?
Get a job!
INDIE VS MAINSTREAM
What do indie films offer that mainstream cinema often misses?
Originality and non-formulaic stories not driven by corporate overlords.
Have you ever felt pressure to shift toward mainstream filmmaking practices, and how did you respond?
As mentioned earlier, I am self-financed (micro-budgets) and do this for my pleasure, so no.
How has streaming changed the opportunities available to indie filmmakers?
Since many streaming services are constantly on the hunt for content, I think it has created opportunities.
Where do you see your own work fitting within the indie vs. mainstream conversation?
Very much Indie.
What do you want people to remember most about your work?
He did so much with so little. If Edgar G. Ulmer’s name is mentioned in reference to mine, mission accomplished.
More details can be found at: Walter Haussner – IMDb
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