Mini MUFF Profile: Nicole Dorsey
Mini MUFF Profile: Nicole Dorsey
Film: Star Princess
Star Princess was submitted to us just under two months ago. We were about halfway through watching it the first time around when we thought, “This is great! It would probably pair pretty well with Ghost World!” A few moments later and we were yelling, “THIS IS FATE.” We won’t spoil anything by saying more than that, but just know that this is a perfect pairing!
This screening will be the WORLD PREMIERE of Star Princess and we couldn’t be more excited to show it to you guys!
EVENT INFO, GET IT.
Toronto-based filmmaker Nicole Dorsey is the amazing writer, director, and cinematographer behind Star Princess. Her past films have screened at several film festivals—both internationally and across Canada—and have received multiple awards. In 2013, Nicole received the Irving Avrich Award for achievement at the Toronto International Film Festival. Nicole also works as a commercial director and has directed spots for companies like Nike, Arla, Kashi, Fisher Price, and Barbie.
Get to know more about Nicole and her short film Star Princess!
film still from Star Princess
TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOURSELF AND HOW YOU GOT INVOLVED WITH FILMMAKING.
Nicole Dorsey: I'm currently a Toronto-based filmmaker, but I grew up in the 'burbs. Been in the city for about 10 years now. Besides toying with the idea of other professions as a young girl, I pretty well always knew I'd be a filmmaker. When I was around eight or nine I would borrow my dad's video camera and make mini movies in the basement. I wasn't fully aware of editing, so I did everything in camera, including filming our wood panelled wall because I envisioned a title sequence scrolling off the top. Later, I went to film school and have been making movies ever since. I also work commercially now.
TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT STAR PRINCESS.
ND: This little film began as an experiment of sorts. I wanted to make something with no crew and a minimal post team. And so, Star Princess was born. Based on my thoughts of quitting the unreasonable expectations one might create for themselves, the story is about a young woman's acceptance of her new life path and saying goodbye to the person she thought she'd become.
Starring a lovely friend and wonderful Toronto actress, Sofia Banzhaf, we shot the film with just the two of us over the course of 5 days in Toronto and LA—on a $350 budget.
Written, directed, produced, shot and scored by me, the rest of this quaint team includes: Calum J Moore (editor), Evan Jerred (sound mixer), Hannah Cheesman (voice) and Supinder Wraich (voice).
TELL US ABOUT WHY YOU ARE A FEMINIST AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT TO YOUR FILMMAKING.
ND: Can I quote Trudeau on this one? Because it's 2015.
I'm a woman and feminism just makes sense. I want equality. I want to watch and share stories that I can relate to. It's insane to me that 50% of the population (or maybe even more at this point) are women, but the majority of voices in media don't reflect that. I'm optimistic though. There's been a big surge of shedding light on these issues and I feel more support by the film community and my fellow female directors than ever.
WHO ARE YOUR FAVOURITE WOMEN WORKING IN THE FILM INDUSTRY?
ND: I spoke with Larysa Kondracki on the phone a couple weeks ago. That woman is on point and definitely an inspiration. Then of course there is Céline Sciamma and Andrea Arnold, whose narrative themes relate most closely to mine. I've been watching the work of cinematographer Autumn Durald as well. She's someone I'd love to collaborate with one day.
film still from Star Princess
IF A MOVIE ABOUT YOUR LIFE WAS CAST/CREATED, WHO WOULD STAR AS YOU AND WHAT GENRE WOULD IT BE?
ND: A dramedy starring Alison Pill.
WHAT'S THE BEST ADVICE ABOUT FILMMAKING YOU'VE EVER RECEIVED?
ND: “Keep your chin up, kid” - Chevy Chase
WHO IS THE BEST/SUPERIOR BATMAN?
ND: Val Kilmer.
PUT TOGETHER YOUR DREAM TEAM (WITH YOU IN ONE OF THE ROLES, OBVS!)
ND: Whoa, so difficult!
Well, obviously, I would write and direct. Roger Deakins would be on camera, Cate Blanchett would work her magic, and the great Thelma Schoonmaker would cut it into gold.
WHAT'S YOUR GO-TO JAM?
ND: I think I've listened to Cat Power's 'Manhattan' about a thousand times.
WHAT MALE POP CULTURE ICON OR MOVIE/TV CHARACTER ARE YOU DREAMING WOULD GET A GENDER-SWAP?
ND: Would a female version of 'The Fonz' be cool?
RECOMMEND ONE #MUFFAPPROVED FILM FOR OUR BLOG READERS:
ND: Tomboy. [2011, dir. Céline Sciamma]
Keep up with Nicole and her projects on her website and follow her on her Instagram account.
The Mini MUFF Society is our short film program. We aim to screen at least one local short film at each of our monthly events. You know, because we have a lot of amazing female talent in Toronto and we want to celebrate it! Learn more here!
