Sundance 2021: Kaitlyn Schwalje
Snowy is a 2021 documentary short film written by Kaitlyn Schwalje. This documentary short stemmed from co-directors Alex Wolf Lewis and Kaitlyn Schwalje’s marvelling at the fact that, year after year, their turtle Snowy remains alive every time they celebrate thanksgiving. By investigating animal happiness, this documentary short explores the human capacity to understand the animals that live in our homes. In this conversation, Kaitlyn talks us through what it means to answer “unanswerable” questions, as well as her experience at Sundance this year.
What inspired you to make Snowy?
I love taking what seems like an ordinary character; a squirrel, a quiet old man, a turtle living in a basement, and digging deep—spending so much time and energy developing the story that the character ends up truly surprising people. I’m driven by the idea that no one is boring. We all contain multitudes.
In making Snowy, the inspiration started with an unanswerable question. The question was “what is this creature thinking? Is he content? Is he miserable?” As unanswerable questions go this too remains unanswered but I’d like to think we got closer to answering than anyone watching thought we would. Or maybe that we tried harder to answer the question than anyone thought we’d try.
How did the pandemic affect your production?
Certainly, the pandemic was unexpected and impacted our work - both positively and negatively. We wrapped just before the world shutdown. And then we were locked in our houses with our footage staring at us and no stimulation, meaning that we suddenly had all the time we needed to finish the thing. Our editors, the lovely Katharina Stroh and Alexander Heringer, got stuck behind a travel ban while visiting family in Germany. So we had to learn to navigate bad connections and a 6 hour time difference. But they’re brilliant and rigorous and everything came together.
Getting your film into Sundance is exciting! Do you have a favourite Sundance film?
I have two, and both are documentaries. When I Walk by Jason DaSilva and American Movie. When I Walk captures DaSilva’s diagnosis with MS and his rapid recline. Most of it was filmed on a basic handy cam by DaSilva, his family and friends. A lot of it looks how you’d expect it to look if you handed your mother a camera who had no previous film experience. The shots were shaky, the sound was choppy, but the film had so much heart, so much intimacy. It taught me that nothing replaces good storytelling. And with a good story the audience can forgive quite a bit.
American Movie follows this guy that sinks years of his life trying to bring his horror film to life. His best friend and sidekick is incompetent. The acting is terrible, but the guy pushes on despite the obstacles. He’s equal parts pitiful, inspiring and deeply charming. I loved this character as I look for people that remind me of this character.
What was your first ever short film?
Snowy is my first short film if you don’t count the slasher home movies I’d make with my cousins growing up. There was no editing, just a lot of stopping and starting the camera. We used sheets of fruit roll up as blood and I think cast my cousin’s pet rat as the villain.
What are your thoughts on the transition to virtual film festivals?
I’m thrilled and grateful the festivals are happening at all. Of course it’s not ideal. But it’s infinitely better than no festivals at all. I’m heartened by the fact that so many organizers and filmmakers are willing to wade through the technical glitches and awkwardness of zoom meetings to connect. Virtual film festivals are an imperfect replacement for any in-the-flesh experiences but I can’t imagine the year without them. To any organizers reading this - thank you!
The pandemic has affected the industry in many ways, how have you kept motivated during the past year?
Even though I would have considered myself an introvert, the year showed me that I don’t thrive under lockdown. Desperate for a distraction, Snowy was a lifesaver. I also made more merch than one needs for a short film, designing temporary tattoos, holographic cards and tote bags. It was equivalent to inviting one friend over and buying 5 boxes of pizza - absolute overkill. However, making merch and editing the film were my therapy through the pandemic. I definitely retained (some of) my sanity by staying busy.
Who has inspired you in your filmmaking journey?
More than anything, I’m guided by the books I read. Here are a few favorites.
The Burglar’s Guide to the City by Geoff Manaugh
Spacesuit: Fashioning Apollo by Nicholas de Monchaux
The Atlas of Remote Islands by Judith Schalansky
Permanent Record by Edward Snowden
Ghosts of the Tsunami by Richard Lloyd Perry
More importantly, who has supported you in your career?
My partner and co-director of this film, Alex Wolf Lewis, has been my cheerleading bedrock. A rock with pom poms. He’s the yin to my yang. Though he does have a tendency to eat all of my food. Above all, his instincts are superhuman and he’s quick to “yes and bring our young ideas to life. Everything is more fun and projects are less daunting with him nearby.
What do you hope audiences will take away from your film?
I hope audiences realize that there’s always room for improvement in understanding life experiences outside our own, whether it’s your grandmother, neighbor, or your pet turtle. And the effort to understand anyone is a worthy effort on any scale.
Tell us three goals you want to achieve in the next five years…
I hope to own a hairless cat, live by the sea and continue to capture all I find incredible about the world through documentary film.
Lastly, what are two pieces of advice you would give to young filmmakers starting out?
Don’t let your first draft discourage you. Every project and every draft is a work in progress and that actually never changes. No one gets it right the first try. The skill lies in making subtle improvements and having the tenacity to keep going. Also, what’s that cheesy line? “Perfection is the enemy of progress.” Along those lines: Make as much as you can. Talk to people. Find stories. Write. Just keep moving and everything else will fall into place.
