Scarlet Moreno: ‘I made it on a 10 hour shoot days, shy of 140 hours’

indieactivity: Give a background of your personal experience with the story, writing, production and marketing
Scarlet Moreno: I was inspired to make Phaedra years ago, when I saw the film Suspiria, by Dario Argento. I thought, if he can make a ballet horror, I can make a disco horror. The idea of disco horror turned into disco psychological thriller, but retains some classic horror elements. I am a huge fan of the genre and have always liked films a little on the dark side. Although the idea was brewing, I didn’t start actually writing the film until years later, when I was contacted to apply for Rebel.

It was the perfect kick in the ass to get it done. As far as my experience with the actual production of the film, it was like a rollercoaster ride. There were days when I was running on so little sleep I wasn’t sure if I could keep my eyes open, but my cast would show up and absolutely kill it at their work, so I felt excited and invigorated into trying to do the same for them. It was also such an exercise in self-assurance and perseverance. I had to continue to remind myself that yes, I could do this, and yes, I would.

‘Rebel Without a Crew’ Filmmaking by 7K & Scarlet Moreno

indieactivity: Did you start writing with a cast (You or any) in mind?
Scarlet Moreno: I did actually. When I came up with the idea for Phaedra, I had initially imagined that I would play the character. I am an actor as well and love playing off-beat roles. However, when the opportunity came to be a part of Rebel Without A Crew, I thought it was an easy sacrifice to make in order to fully explore the idea of directing, shooting, and editing the film myself. It turned out that casting the young woman who played Phaedra, Sarah Litton, was the best casting decision I could have made. I can’t imagine Phaedra any other way now.

indieactivity: How long did you take to complete the script? (Do you have a writing process?)
Scarlet Moreno: I came up with the idea for the script about three years ago. However, when I found out about the show Rebel Without a Crew, I only had about seven pages written down. It was the only idea I had for a feature at the time though, so I thought, “I better finish it up!” So about three weeks later, I had a finished script, just in time to turn it in to the casting directors of the show. Usually my process is to allow the story to come to me.

This time, I had to find the story much more quickly. The best thing I learned while writing the script, which seems obvious to me now, is that when something happens to your protagonist, something of equal importance or weight must happen to your antagonist. Since Phaedra is a bit of an odd script and doesn’t have the clearest antagonist, I decided to allow Apollo (the leading man) to hold that role, at least for the writing’s sake. I think it worked out!

indieactivity: When did you form your production company – and what was the original motivation for its formation?
Scarlet Moreno: Technically, I don’t have a formal production company. I do call myself and some of my work Big Texas Productions though. That way, when I do have a formal company, it’s already got a name. I’ve just been fortunate enough to work with people I love in the past and try to continue to do so.

indieactivity: What was the first project out of the gate?
Scarlet Moreno: My first film was a short called “Viv 1.0 or They Must Have Forgotten.” It’s a dark comedy about a day in the life of a defective femme-bot from another time that is abandoned in a strange place.

Scarlet Moreno, Aléjandro Montoya Marin, Josh Sifter, Bola Ogun & Bonnie-Kathleen “BK” Ryan

indieactivity: You produced and directed the film, what measure of input did it take to don these hats?
Scarlet Moreno: It took a huge amount of input. Because of the time constraints, budget constraint, and incredibly quick deadline, I dedicated all of myself to the making of this film.

indieactivity: Is there anything about the independent filmmaking business you still struggle with?
Scarlet Moreno: There will always be struggles to independent filmmaking, but I think that is part of what makes it so wonderful. Along with the perceived constraints of low budgets, you also get an innate freedom that you don’t always get with bigger budget projects.

indieactivity: Where do you think your strengths lie as a filmmaker?
Scarlet Moreno: My strength is in my ability to think on my feet and to communicate well with others.

indieactivity: Let’s talk finance, How did you finance the film?
Scarlet Moreno: The show gave us $7,000.

indieactivity: How much did you go over budget? How did you manage it?
Scarlet Moreno: I actually came in a few dollars under budget. I managed it by being extremely strict with myself and writing down every expense as it happened.

indieactivity: How important is marketing? Do you think a project can make any dent without it these days?
Scarlet Moreno: I think social media has made marketing into a new game. There are grassroots campaigns that blow up overnight. It’s like the wild west out there.

indieactivity: Can you tell us about your marketing activities on the project – and how it’s gone for you?
Scarlet Moreno: I’ve just started an Instagram for the film, as well as applied to festivals and attempted to get it out there through word of mouth. We’ll see what happens!

indieactivity: What do you hope audiences get from your film?
Scarlet Moreno: I hope that audiences find a thrill in seeing a complex, at times unlikable female protagonist who manages to remain the film’s hero. Too often we have been given this hero in his male form, such as in films like Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, Taxi Driver, and American Psycho, to name just a few. I wanted to give the world Phaedra, a complex female character to love and despise at once, because being human is a complex thing. I hope that audiences fall in love with her the way that I have.

indieactivity: What else have you got in the works?
Scarlet Moreno: I am currently writing a few shorts, directing music videos, and working on a feature with Josh Stifter, another director on the show.

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