Otgadahe Whitman-Fox, LISP Film Festival Feature Movie Winner, Entanglement

LISP Film Festival Feature Movie Winner, Entanglement by Lliane Clarke, Kaye Tuckerman, Otgadahe Whitman-Fox 

Interview with Otgadahe Whitman-Fox 

Entanglement will be screened at the LISP Film Festival. Click HERE to get your ticket!

-How often do you write&create? Do you have a working routine? And what inspires you to create?

 I try to write as often as I can when the creative juices hit. I'd like to think I have a routine, but I normally get an idea and will write it down wherever I can. 

- How does it feel to have your work recognised?

The feeling to finally have my work recognised is an absolute thrill. Especially to have First Nation's People stories, from the US and Australia being told from a First Nation's point of view. That is important because in the past, our stories were always told from a White perspective.

- What's the best and most challenging thing about writing a Filmmaking writing? 

 I believe the best part about writing is being able to express the emotions you are trying to portray and then that also being the most challenging as well. A double edge sword. How to get what you feel on page while also not trying to make it a 100 page emotion. Haha

- How did you develop the idea for your LISP-selected film? Is there a story behind your story? And, how long have you been working on it?

"Entanglement" was a collaborative effort and Lliane Clarke was the first to come up with it. I came along and added to this beautiful piece with "We Are Still Here." This is a true story of my great great grandmother and her survival, resilience, and strength to keep our ancestry alive. I tell this story to my son because in America, First Nation's People of the land were always referred to as "Savages" and were never spoken of as Heros or Survivors. I've been wanting to tell the story for a long time and the opportunity of Entanglement gave me that chance.

- Can you please give us a few tips about Filmmaking?

 Write what you feel, and just keep writing until it's done. Then, you can go back and add or take out what you feel. Don't try to make it perfect on the first try. Give yourself the chance to just create without criticism to oneself. The best stories are told with no regrets.

- What's the best thing and the most challenging thing about competitions and festivals? 

The best thing about competitions and festivals would have to be the acknowledgment of the hard work we put into these films or scripts. And of course, the awards...... The most challenging would be hopes and fears. Hoping your film or script gets the feeling across the way you intended. Fearing that it might not be "good enough" . But always "keeping on" even with the doubts, because there are wins out there too!

- Lastly, do you recommend the writers submit to LISP?

YES!  SUBMIT! And the worst that could happen is NOT submitting. You can't take a chance at something if you doubt yourself for even trying. SUBMIT!