Donna Spangler: Space Girls Invade Cannes
Writer-Producer Donna Spangler will be in Cannes for the Market screening of her sci-fi feature film, Space Girls in Beverly Hills, on May 19th, at 1:30 p.m, Palais D. The film has been picked up by ITN Distribution, and will be released on DVD by Cinema Epoch this May. During the New York International Film Festival in Los Angles, Space Girls received two film awards: Best Sci-Fi Feature and Best Cult Film.
Independent Film Quarterly’s Rebecca Russell sat down with Donna Spangler at her Colonial-style mansion in Beverly Hills, CA, to discuss her experience creating her award-winning Sci-Fi Cult film, Space Girls in Beverly Hills.
IFQ: Can you talk about your role as writer and producer on Space Girls in Beverly Hills?
Donna Spangler: I wrote Space Girls at a time in my life when I was having major relationship problems with a man who did not understand me and probably felt like I was from another planet! It was easy for me to write about my feeling by creating the Space Girls characters and adding ideas from my imagination to complete the story. When it came to the actual production of Space Girls, it was a much harder process because I had to learn to manage the needs of my creative team with their colorful personalities and their creative goals. Some days, it felt like being pregnant and having to jump over hurdles, and then, at the end, giving birth in a parking lot without anesthesia!
IFQ: Why did you choose to write a futuristic/sci-fi romantic comedy, and how did you approach writing a sci-fi film?
DS: I love comedy and things that are fun, so I tried to make this movie as fun as I could imagine. I think making people laugh is a gift, and I wanted to spread this gift in a light-hearted way. I chose sci-fi because I felt that writing the story using futuristic and sci-fi elements gave me a way to express the special talents that each of the Space Girls possessed, and they translated to the screen quite naturally via special effects.
IFQ: How did the idea of Space Girls come about?
DS: The idea of Space Girls came about one evening when I was sitting outside enjoying the warm summer evening looking up at the stars and started wondering what would a couple of men do if some beautiful space aliens landed in Beverly Hills. I thought it would be quite comical and immediately started writing a treatment for the concept.
IFQ: Which films influenced you while writing Space Girls?
DS: I was inspired by Earth Girls Are Easy and Splash.
IFQ: When you were writing the script, did you have the role of Katana in mind?
DS: Absolutely! I wrote the part of Katana (rhymes with Donna) with myself in mind. I also wrote from her point of view, as a writer always needs to take on a character’s point of view when they are writing.
IFQ: Can you tell me how you prepared for the role?
DS: I had to imagine what it would be like if I was from another country and the challenges of trying to relate with the people there.
IFQ: How did the writing of Space Girls compare to your other scripts?
DS: It was actually very cathartic for me. All of my script writing has been good therapy for me. I usually get something internal out of each script or story that I write. As a result, writing a script seems to be something I need to do in order to work through issues to continue to grow as a person.
IFQ: How did the actors bring the script to life?
DS: The actors were all interesting character types. Some were zany, like Professor Pin Prick and his nurse. Baron, played by the film’s director, Tim Colceri, was a really interesting character since his character was most affected by Katana’s arrival. He started out as a self-centered man only interested in sex, but meeting Katana transforms him into the type of man a girl would want to marry. Tim did an amazing job, both in front of and behind the camera, to bring Baron to life. The femme fatale, Elaine, was played by my good friend, Jill Noel. She was really a great villain, bringing her own interesting twist of sexy beauty to the sly gold-digger character that helped push the plot along.
IFQ: How did you get Julie Strain on board as Queen Ziba?
DS: Julie has actually been a personal friend for many years. She used to live with me when she started out and we would go on auditions together. She was so happy to be a part of my movie and did such a fabulous job! She’s a true professional and a great girl!
IFQ: How long did it take you to finish the movie?
DS: It took me several years. I stopped shooting halfway through the script. There were two things that came up — one, was the fact that one of the main actors was also the director, and the second reason was that I was diagnosed with skin cancer and had to stop to get that treated. Thankfully, both issues were resolved. After that, I finished the shoot a year later. After I finished the rough cut of Space Girls, I put it on the shelf for a while until I had the time and resources to fine-tune the audio and make color corrections. When I took it back off the shelf, I also added some new scenes with my friend, Sabrina Parisi. We added scenes in Beverly Hills and Los Angeles with Sabrina, her two daughters, and “Q” the flying cat. I have to say, I think it turned out to be a really cute film that I am very proud of! The added scenes really brought it together quite nicely. It is funny and campy with a bit of a zany feel to it.
IFQ: What is the target audience for Space Girls in Beverly Hills?
DS: I think it’s a young crowd, 18-35. However, people of all ages will get a kick out of it. I have found that even more mature people (grandparents) think it’s cute and funny!
IFQ: Which part of production do you enjoy more: writing, producing, or acting?
DS: I don’t think I like one better than the other. I feel like they are all valuable parts of my life and I enjoy the process of each one independently, in a different way, just as I would enjoy tasting different desserts. I love writing because I feel like it gives me a voice in life. I love producing because it brings that voice out from a written to a visual and audio expression that I can share with others. I love acting because it gives me the chance to live the life of a character I created.
IFQ: What kinds of films inspire you?
DS: I actually like supernatural films, as I feel like they explore something out there that we know little about, and we are able to create whatever we can imagine. I find that creators of their movies actually come up with the most interesting unique and bizarre stuff. That’s why I love series like The Twilight Zone and The Outer Limits.
IFQ: Can you offer any advice for independent filmmakers, screenwriters, and producers?
DS: Yes! I must say that your best chance of doing something is to do it yourself. Take your project and find a way to make it, even if you have to learn how to do everything yourself. Get partners — people who believe in you and your project. I was really inspired by the book, Make Your Own Damn Movie. It is so true, the only way to learn is to just do it yourself. If you start with something small, like a short film, it’s okay. Just keep going!
IFQ: Any upcoming projects?
DS: My next project is a supernatural thriller called, The Other Realm. I am very excited about developing my first supernatural feature, and am in pre-production as we speak. I’m working on the second draft of the script. It’s going to be really creepy! It’s going to have cool special effects. I plan to shoot using a red camera, which I’m very excited about. I am also a founding partner for The Beverly Hills Film, TV and New Media Festival that will take place in October. We just got the festival up on Withoutabox, and we are currently accepting submissions. The festival will be a celebration of excellence in film, TV and emerging technologies. I will keep everyone posted!
*Photo Credit: Glen Lipton