A conversation with

Hanelle M. Culpepper

director of WITHIN

Tell me a little about how the story came together?

Culpepper: I met the writer in Berlin in 2004; we were both part of the Berlin Film Festival. I was looking for a low budget script and was drawn to this immediately. I was drawn to the message immediately. We worked on the script together.

Jacques Thelemaque and Liam Finn were the producers and loved the script and helped us screen write it. We’ve been in development since 2006. The shoot took only twenty days. It’s fast especially when you have kids as leads because you have limited time with them. We had nine hours and three had to be with relaxation and school so you had really only six hours of shooting time. You had to be efficient and stay on task to make it work.

The crew was so supportive of me and they would hustle triple time so we could make our day.

Tell me about the amazing child actresses you brought in?

Culpepper: Ford, who plays Rachel, I saw when she auditioned for a short film for a friend of mine. We thought she would be great for ‘WITHIN’. I knew I wanted her months before we had our green light. They really tried to push me to have other girls who had more experience acting but I was always sure of her.

She had this inner gentleness and fragileness that was the character. Everyone came around and agreed. The other girl that plays Michelle came through the casting directors after doing another project.

Do you feel this is more of a psychological thriller than a horror film in that there isn’t a lot of blood and gore?

Culpepper: I’ve always thought it was more than a psychological thriller and I didn’t want to adopt that genre of horror. We used only a cut of blood.  The reason I was attracted to the script was because there wasn’t gore. It is more of a coming of age piece for the main character Rachel.

Psychological and supernatural is more descriptive but I was surprised though when it was playing at the Horror Film Festival because, at first they were rejecting, then it was accepted and it actually won awards. I knew then audiences would embrace it.

This had some feeling of the 1956 film THE BAD SEED, would you agree?

Culpepper: Yes, ‘THE BAD SEED’ was definitely one of the movies, ‘THE GOOD SON’ (1993), ‘THE SIXTH SENSE’ (1999) among others. I like the pacing of ‘THE SIXTH SENSE’ and ‘THE SHINGING’ (1980); I knew I wanted the story to unfold like it, slowly. ‘THE BAD SEED’ she kinds of drowns. I wanted a little more significance in this ending.

Do you see having your movie premier on LIFETIME as a stepping-stone to bigger projects?

Culpepper: I REALLY HOPE that’s what happens and I’m going to live in a positive space about that. I’m writing a script called ‘HIDE’ that I could potentially finance myself if I have to. It’s too often that I read about a female director that did an impressive first film that wins at Sundance and then they do nothing else. It’s hard to parlay the first work into something else. If I can do a script that I can do myself and pay for myself I’ll be happy to do another movie.

What are you working on currently?

Culpepper: ‘CLEMENTINE’ which we want to shoot 3D that works organically well with the story that is written. If your using 3D for the wrong purposes then the audience abandons the film. I use 3D as an added dimension to the work.

Are you fighting to get things done with studios?

Culpepper: It’s constantly a battle because I don’t have an agent or manager, not that I wouldn’t want one but I don’t have one. I’ve done things; I did ‘GUILTY OR INNOCENT’ for television. I keep doing things but I still need that bump that puts you in the next level that you get noticed enough to get an agent or manager so you can get into a production company to do larger projects.

I don’t like the laboring or the struggle but you have to admit that it’s there. Also me as a woman, so now you have the woman and being a black woman and still find the mainstream for horror and mainstream. It’s starting to change. ‘SISTER HOOD OF THE TRAVELING PANTS 2’ was directed by a black woman. But, you always have to come up against those two things.

Have you done any other television?

Culpepper: I’ve done some PSA’s (Public Service Announcements) but that was the only thing I’ve directed. I’ve applied to certain workshops were you shadow directors so you get to know the job. I did apply and I hope it comes through, if I can get on the set and they can see me as a person they will be willing to give me a shot.

How do you raise the money?

You beg your friends and family and dip into your savings.

What would you say to students who want to go to film school?

Culpepper: I think it’s a great thing. It gives you a base of what people have done before you so you can talk intelligently when you are in a room with people. It gives you a safe place to screw up. If you don’t get in or for some reason can’t afford it, DON’T let that stop your dream. Come in a different way, be an intern or PA and meet people that way.

Are you doing anything special to celebrate the release of ‘WITHIN’ on Saturday?

Culpepper: We are doing a small party at my home; a toast of champagne and some cupcakes from my husband’s favorite cupcake place. We’ve been so busy getting everything out with press and PR making sure everything is right. 

How did you hook up with LIFETIME?

Culpepper: They were looking for material that was edgier and thought this was great. They called it their OPHAN- light.  It is a world television premiere so they would like that.

Thank you for taking time to talk to us and congratulations on your Lifetime premier on Saturday night at 9 P.M.!

On a side note: I was asking Hanelle if she knew of Effie Brown of Duly Noted, Inc. In an excited voice she said that she had and would absolutely love working with her. So Effie, if you are reading this, it is time for two very creative ladies to get together!