Interview with Documentary Filmmaker Amy Oden

Sometimes wishes do come true. Earlier this summer I took to my blog to ask producer/director Amy Oden to bring her documentary From The Back of the Room  to ATL.  Guess what, she is! Next Friday, November 11th to be exact. You too can see her in-depth look at women in punk over the past 30 years. Even better,  you can also support one of my favorite non-profits, Girls Rock Camp who organized the screening to benefit the Girls Rock Camp Alliance on its night of “50 Shows in 50 States”.   I screened the film and was really impressed with the depth of her interviews and the diversity of women she talked with.  Watching it felt like experiencing a really awesome women’s studies class that you didn’t want to end.   I appreciated Oden answering a few questions for me about her documentary and how she got into this business in the first place. Take a read, then go find a screening in your town. As for those in the ATL, read after the interview to find out details about next Friday!

BB: Please tell me a little about yourself and how you took a path towards filmmaking?  What is your background and were you always interested in documentary filmmaking? 

AO: I was lucky enough to go to a high school that had TV production classes, so I guess I started to become interested in video and film around that time.  I went to college for broadcast journalism and worked at an independent TV station or for about seven years after that.  When I was in school, one of my final projects was to shoot a short (40min) documentary about the DC Hardcore scene.  Also the last several years of my work at the station focused around shooting and editing short form documentaries.  So, I think it seemed logical that I start entertaining feature-length work at some point…

 
BB:  You were involved in this film at every step, with screen credits for producing, directing, writing, and editing. What was the most exciting part of the filmmaking process for you?

AO:  Shooting is great – I really like filming interviews and meeting interesting people.  I like editing a lot, too, but I really have to be in a particular frame of mind to get going with it.  Writing an actual script is something I’m just starting to get interested in now, so we’ll see how that goes – but I think I’ll like it.

BB:  Your film is striking due to the sheer breadth of bands and the subjects you cover.  Even more striking to me is the wide geographical diversity of women and bands! Who knew Missouri, for one example, had a punk scene? How did you pick your interviewees? What was the most unexpected thing you learned about women in punk?

AO:  Most of the women I interviewed were folks who’s bands I grew up listening to – but some of the younger girls were recommended to me by friends (or other interviewees!) as I traveled.  I think the thing that I wasn’t expecting that struck me while I was editing was how much diversity of opinion there is between all the women – I think that’s healthy, but I wasn’t expecting it.

BB:  Who is you favorite punk band? Where you ever in a punk band?

AO:  It’s so hard to pick something like a favorite band or album or song.  One of my favorite bands right now is a band from DC called Ilsa, who are a really incredible metal band.  I’ve been in two diy punk bands over the years, yes.  I’m sure I’ll play again at some point.

BB:  I know you are traveling and screening this all over the country. What has been the most interesting feedback you’ve received from viewers?

AO:  Everyone who approaches me has just been really excited and supportive, which has been incredible.  It’s so awesome to have people be into the film, because I really did put my heart into it in a lot of ways. Read the rest of this entry »