‘Blackfish’ Director Gabriela Cowperthwaite Turns Blacklist Script ‘I.S.S.’ Into Sci-Fi Thriller Theatrical Release

Not all award-winning filmmakers planned for a career in film when they were younger. Director Gabriela Cowperthwaite found her love of film in her thirties, and has since directed films such as Blackfish, Our Friend, and many others. She recently directed I.S.S., a high-stakes thriller set in the International Space Station, which will be released in theaters on Jan 19.

In today’s episode, No Film School’s GG Hawkins speaks with Director Gabriela Cowperthwaite to discuss:

Unexpectedly starting a career in filmmaking
Wanting to effect change through films
Working for free and doing whatever job she could
A very humbling experience early on in Gabriela’s career
The differences between documentary filmmaking and narrative filmmaking
Surviving the lows during production
The importance of having interests outside of filmmaking
Establishing the world and dynamic between the characters in the film I.S.S
Bringing characters to life who do not fit into a stereotype
Filmmaking - it’s not more glamorous than other jobs

Memorable Quotes

“You really have to put in the work. You really have to collaborate.” [12:14]
“There’s this cool adventurous feeling you have when you’re doing it, because every single day could be a question mark.” [15:55]
“The highs are very high, and the lows are very low.” [16:42]
“It seems like it’s greater than the sum of its parts, but it’s not. It’s just the parts.” [36:36]
“Just remember, it’s one foot in front of the other.” [37:51]

Mentioned

I.S.S. trailer

Unpacking the Ethical Minefield of Docs with the Team Behind ‘Subject’

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