I am Lithuanian now living in New York. I make documentaries, fashion films, music videos and commercials.
How would you describe your work as a director
I like strong personalities and people who live in a unique way, marching to the beating of their own drum. They inspire me, and I like making films about such people.
How did you get into directing
It’s all a journey: I never planned to be a director. I just like telling stories, through filming and through conversations. I like editing some stories as well. So I prefer to describe myself as a filmmaker. Directing is just one part of it.
Advanced Style is playing in Phoenix, come! pic.twitter.com/0iYJGPyo3S
— lina plioplyte (@LinaPlioplyte) October 11, 2014
How do you choose a project to direct
It’s all about the personality and the cause – if the person inspires me, I want to make a story about them. That’s pretty much it! If there’s something interesting in the story or a person’s life, all the rest comes together.
What uniqueness can female directors bring to film or cinema or tv
I am a little tired of all this gender conversation: let’s just tell stories. That being said, I do think female eye is different than a male eye, in the stories we capture and want to tell, in the poetry of the visuals, color palette, approach to the process.
Do you take courses to increase you craft
No: I learn the most watching films of directors I admire (Werner Herzog!), and just watching and analyzing any kind of video work.
What books do you read
Right now I am reading Zen and The Art Of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert M. Pirsig
Why will you choose an actor, writer or producer. What do you look for
I think the personalities are the most important. If you get along with people, and have fun while working, you’ve got a great team. Producer has to be sharp with people and numbers, and organized as hell. For actors, I like when they have a spark in their eye.
When you are offered a job, what things do you put in place to deliver a good job
You’ve got to understand what the client wants. Deliver good product and in a timely matter. And be nice!
Briefly explain your latest work
I am working on a series for Refinery29 about American subcultures, and that’s just a delight: to go to places, meet people doing fascinating stuff and film it, tell their stories. A dream job!
Explain the key challenges on your last film
My last film was my feature debut “Advanced Style”. I learned everything through the 5 years that took us to make it… It’s a grueling, hard process but it’s the most rewarding thing I have ever done. The most important thing was to get great stories (you have to get your subjects to trust you), and then to weave all the individual stories into a cohesively flowing one story (that takes a great deal of puzzling, sticky notes, a lot of late nights and a great editor).
What thing/situation helps you during production
To stay calm, aware, and creative under the pressure of time. Meditation helps me tremendously to deal with stress.
Explain a creative choice you took on set on a recent production
I like films to be as personal and intimate as they can, so I tend to create spaces and choose lenses that gets the audience to get to know the subject the most (I film and direct, usually).
How do you advise directors to find projects
Film for your friends. Reach out to people and companies who may need a project. Hassle bands you know. Anything, just get something to work on. It’s important to have some film pieces under your belt, get some experience, and then go after clients that you’d like to work for.
How can filmmakers finance projects
Kickstarter and other crowdfunding websites are excellent sources of gathering production money these days. I highly recommend that route. If you have an interesting story and a compelling campaign video, people will donate.
Who is your favorite director
Werner Herzog, Woody Allen, Wim Wenders…
Why this director
Because they tell excellent, intimate stories with incredible yet true characters, see the world in the creative and profound way, and give passion to the filmmaking.
What advice would you give to directors around the world
When successful filmmakers offer advice, they always say “just make your film…..” This would always frustrate me and I would say “what the hell does that have to do with me getting into Hollywood!?” Once I started making
Briefly write about your career
I have one feature documentary under my belt and multiple commercial productions done and under way. I’ve started in the fashion film world and now am expanding to make documentaries about the issues and people that make difference in the world.
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