Victoria Prescott grew up in the “country” a little to the North of the Big Apple, which gave her the best of both worlds. Victoria had access to New York City and all that it has to offer but she could also step outside her door and play in the dirt and hike in the woods. It was back at high school when she knew what she was put on this Earth to do. “Playing Puck in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream“. I was on stage listening to Oberon and Titania and all of the sudden I said to myself, “Oh that’s what he’s talking about”, like I had just learned some new piece of information and then was the next wave of Oh My God!, that was cool, I want to feel like that all the time.” says Victoria Prescott.
So, she shuffled off to Pennsylvania and spent four of the most amazing years at Carnegie Mellon University as an Acting major. After graduating Victoria made her way to the other coast with an agent in hand. She got her education in “Guerilla Filmmaking” working with the kids at AFI, some of the most amazing storytellers out there today. After putting in a lot of years, truth be told, Victoria was burnt out and headed back East. “I took time off, regrouped, explored other stuff and then one day a boyfriend reminded me of who I was. He’s gone, (phew) but I’m back in it now.” says Victoria Prescott.
This is what fierce looks like! #penny #makingmovies #womeninfilm #indiefilm #actorslife #writerslife #tellyourstory #@seedandspark #@indieactivity #@AGRNYLA #@jennplotzke #@Crystalshanaeg1 # pic.twitter.com/9eLXfjW8i2
— Victoria Prescott (@DamePrescott) April 21, 2018
indieactivity: Why did you get into filmmaking and screenwriting?
Victoria: Like most actors, I wasn’t working nearly enough. But even more than that, I had a story to tell and I was the only one that could tell it!
indieactivity: How does an indie filmmaker distribute his/her film?
Victoria: I wish I had an answer for that. This side of the “camera” is new to me. What I do know is, work on something that you believe in and surround yourself with the best team you can and always be open to learn.
indieactivity: When in the filmmaking process, does an indie filmmaker need to start planning for distribution?
Victoria: For me, distribution at this point is like a little small sparkly unicorn in the back of mind. It’s not the focus, it’s about telling a compelling and truthful story.
indieactivity: Indie filmmaking is based on Low Budgets. How do I get my film in theatres with such budget?
Victoria: I’m going to sound like a broken record but It’s all about the story. And I don’t mean that you must have a fantastical or unbelievable tale to tell but a truthful one. We have all seen those moments in films that blow us away, those are usually the most truthful and honest and whether they were shot with a 10-million-dollar budget or with your FiLMiC Pro app on your phone, doesn’t matter.
The Pearls Poster by Victoria Prescott
indieactivity: How can filmmakers finance their projects?
Victoria: This is something I am still learning about. I am about to head into pre-pre-production for a short that, if my dream is fully realized, I won’t have enough in my piggy bank for. Crowd funding, reaching out to anybody that is willing to invest in me. And then try and be flexible.
indieactivity: What films have you written?
Victoria: I have written a couple of shorts, “Pearls” in 2017, there is no trailer as of yet but feel free to check out, our Facebook Page and stay up to date, and then “Penny” which I just finished and as I said I am in the very early stages of pre- production.
indieactivity: What are the films that you have made?
Victoria: “Pearls” was my first foray into the wonderful world of writing and producing.
indieactivity: Talk to us about your concept on collaboration?
Victoria: Life is a collaboration, whether you want it to be or not, right? We don’t live in this world in a vacuum, by ourselves. As an actor, you are in constant collaboration. With your scene partners, the director, the costumer, the audience, so It’s an innate part of my process as a storyteller.
indieactivity: How do you find the process of filmmaking as an indie filmmaker?
Victoria: I had an absolute blast writing and producing “Pearls” and I slept for like 3 days straight when we were done. It was a challenge knowing what you want, knowing how much $$ you have and for me as a first timer, trusting the people I brought on board. I am so proud of the piece, but I learned a lot about taking my time, being more thoughtful about the process, learning the questions I need ask and honoring what I know feels right for my vision.
MIndFull Victoria by Prescott
indieactivity: Describe your recent work, or film?
Victoria: I learn by doing. I try to do as much research as I possibly can before my head explodes and then I just have to do. One of my favorite quotes, “Leap and the net will appear”, for better or worse that’s pretty much how I live my life. I politely harassed anyone that I thought might be able to shed some light, then I put my big girl panties on and made the phone calls, signed the paperwork, hired as many people that have expertise in the areas that I had/have no clue about.
Once I had wrapped on that first short one of the best things I did was PA work on other people’s films. I kinda sorta knew what everyone on a film set did but from the POV of an actor. Not only was I able to participate in the thing I love to do, but I was able to get all that “stuff” in my bones AND learn how I want my sets to run. I met people who are now turning into great collaborators, met some people that I know I never want on my set.
As far as marketing is concerned I think like a lot of creators, I struggle with promoting my “art” so it doesn’t come naturally to me. It feels overwhelming. Like everyone I know about Facebook and Instagram and Twitter, IMDB. I am stepping into the Filmfreeway arena and it’s challenging. I am trying to be judicious and thoughtful about submissions.
Gary Dourdan, Jorja Fox, William Petersen, and Victoria Prescott in CSI-Crime Scene Investigation (2000)
indieactivity: What are your future goals?
Victoria: Goodness me, I want to keep creating and learning and sharing. If we are talking about what I’m working on now, I’m hoping to shoot “Penny” sooner than later. I am working on an adaptation of a novel for a feature and I have another script that I have put aside for far too long that needs to be finished.
indieactivity: Tell us about what you think indie filmmaker need in today’s world of filmmaking?
Victoria: This is a tough one, actually. I guess access. I have been fortunate to have been surrounded by those who have gone before me but there is still a huge amount of trial and error, right. And that’s ok. However, as one’s dreams get bigger, it’s not always clear where to turn for direction. Filmmaking is an expensive endeavor and trial and error as a “starving artist” isn’t always feasible.
indieactivity: Briefly write about your career?
Victoria: Gosh, my career has been a long and winding road. Some bullet points: In LA, I recurred on CSI for a while, my first job was a pilot directed by James Burrows, that was the first time I saw cameras moving like ballet dancers.
I did a bit of theater there as well, some fabulously irreverent plays written by the incomparable Justin Tanner, Wife Swappers, Zombie Attack and Pot Mom, learning from the brilliant Laurie Metcalf.
Here in NY , MindFull, a short I was in is starting it’s festival tour and doing really well. I suppose it wasn’t until this last short, MindFull, which was a short for the AGR Short Film Challenge, that I started to realize writing was a possibility, that producing was doable and bringing my visions to life could be realized. Once I taped into that, well as the kids from Aladdin say, it’s “A whole new world”
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In Conversation with Michael Oblowitz Director of Confidential Informant
Confidential Informant stars Mel Gibson, Dominic Purcell, and Kate Bosworth
