Indie Filmmaking Adventures with Milwaukee Filmmaker Diya Gitanjali | By /CW Guest Writer Jolee Mallman
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Having worked on a few sets with Diya, I’ve always been very drawn to their unique filmmaking style. The color palettes they make use of, the poetry in their photography and film work; there are so many filmmakers in the Milwaukee scene, and Diya has found a way to pave their own clear path. To make work that speaks to the current culture while remaining timeless in voice isn’t a task every artist can take on, but it’s a returning feature to projects Diya has a part in. Anyone would be lucky to find themselves on set with this dynamic, one-of-a-kind filmmaker.
If you had to describe yourself as an artist and a filmmaker, what would you want people to understand about your work most?
As a filmmaker, I am usually drawn to Horror and Science Fiction, because I believe that these genres allow us to explore and confront themes of gender, sexuality and oppression in a creative but sometimes indirect way. I think that processing our trauma as individuals and as a society is vital -- and what better way than through abstraction and metaphor? My most recent film, Knife In Hand, explores new love and obsession and how that can throw your life and creative practice out of whack. I’ve found that that kind of obsessive feeling can be both freeing and detrimental as an artist.
I also shoot all of my films myself, and plan to pursue being a Director of Photography as my career long-term. Some of my favorite cinematographers are Benoit Debie, Greig Fraser, and Quyen Tran; all of whom use color, light, and intentional camera angles to create evocative and stunning imagery. I think something I strive for in the visuals I create is "emotional realism" -- like, how did a moment or a memory feel, as opposed to how it actually looked? Especially with the way modern digital cameras and lenses are becoming more crisp and almost artificial-looking, I try to keep my work feeling grounded and true to my experiences. I want my work to be successful in its intention and emotionally stimulating to the viewer.
Does being a poet affect how you approach your filmmaking?
I’ve been writing for fun since I was a kid, and the one thing people have consistently said they like about my prose and poetry is how “atmospheric” it is. I think I’m good at creating vivid images in my writing.
I think creating atmosphere as a cinematographer is super important, and way more involved than people might think! Like, what lenses are you using, how are you shaping the light? What’s the weather like, what season is it, what’s going on in the world? The first example that comes to mind when thinking about atmospheric filmmaking is the Twilight movies -- the color grade and choices of shots in the first movie especially. They really transport you to that chilly, wet town of Forks in Washington state.
The Handmaid’s Tale TV series on Hulu also does a good job at this -- they use a ton of fog machines in all of their locations to create this dusty, stuffy look. That look compliments how the main character is feeling. She’s claustrophobic in this new society, and in a way she’s been transported to the past.
What's your favorite part about being a storyteller and filmmaker?
My favorite part about being a storyteller and filmmaker is the simultaneous collaborative and individualistic nature of creating a film. Each person on set has their own set of tasks, whether that’s operating the camera or setting up lights or even setting up snacks at Craft Services. But we’re all working together. We’re bringing one thing to life by individually doing our own thing. Even though the days can be intense and even grueling, It’s such a gratifying process -- hurrying up and then waiting, the best day of summer camp one moment and then extremely mentally draining the next. But there’s no better feeling than creating work that you’re genuinely proud of!
Who are some filmmakers that have significantly influenced your work?
One of my favorite filmmakers right now is Julia Ducaurnau, who wrote and directed Raw and Titane. Both of these films make the viewer viscerally uncomfortable, the films kind of grab you and shake you. I also really enjoy Coralie Fargeat’s work, and in an interview about The Substance she said something really interesting about choosing to keep a shot of a fly struggling in Demi Moore’s character’s drink -- she said something along the lines of, yeah we could take the shot out but it adds something essential to the film’s identity and mood.
When I was sixteen my first boyfriend showed me Enter The Void by Gaspar Noé, who I know is a somewhat controversial filmmaker. Noe has remained my favorite director since then. I love how interested he is in portraying reality and all the ways humans can relate to each other and fall in and out of love. His films are always provocative and sometimes terribly self-indulgent, but he consistently nails something really raw and beautiful in his work that I aspire to.
How have you evolved as a filmmaker over time?
It’s funny, I was going to detail how specifically I’ve changed as a filmmaker over time, but I think it’s more accurate to say that I’ve just gotten better at crystallizing and refining my vision.
When I attended film school a few years ago, I was lucky to cross paths with and learn from Carl Bogner, a beloved queer elder and film educator. He was one of my favorite teachers ever. Carl passed away recently, and I came across an email he had sent me when I was eighteen or nineteen years old, in response to work I had submitted in one of his classes. When I look back on that time, I remember feeling like I didn’t know who I was as a filmmaker. I remember my work feeling pretty far from what I wanted it to be. Here is the email:
“Again, great work with palette here. Both of your pieces communicated so much with your sense of color. As well: you have a deft sense of scale: of image size, of how an image occupies the frame, of incident. You know how to work the everyday so well.” - Carl
I was so happy to stumble across this -- what he had pointed out about my work, pieces which I now consider pretty rudimentary, nailed what I strive for as an artist and filmmaker. It’s a validating and encouraging thing to look back on.
Do you have any advice for young femme and nonbinary people trying to establish themselves in filmmaking?
My advice would be to meet people, learn stuff, and get on set. And also to trust your gut.
I graduated from the film program at UW-Milwaukee in 2022, and I thoroughly enjoyed my time there. I think the biggest things I gained from film school were the connections and experience, which were essential in getting my footing in the industry. Besides the career aspect, I met so many creative and driven people who became some of my closest friends. I also think the educators I interacted with in film school did a great job not only teaching technical skills but helping me to refine my own creative practice.
I would also tell people, especially non-men going into the film industry, to make sure they advocate for themselves. Obviously be kind and considerate for the most part, but make sure you are carving out space for yourself! Get answers to your questions. Don’t let yourself become a doormat!
I also think there’s an element of being a filmmaker that some folks don’t understand going into it, and that’s reciprocity. Like, ask your friends and classmates you admire to help you with your projects. Folks are usually happy to help you make your vision a reality. Just sure you buy them a donut and thank them for their time at the very least.
But also, make sure YOU are showing up for them in a real way. Work hard, contribute to a positive set environment and make good stuff. It’s important to not only be technically proficient but also to treat people well and show up! That’s my best advice.
You can find more of Diya’s work: @diyagitanjali on Instagram and VIMEO
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