If directing a film is a bejeweled velvet glove, then I am Gypsy Rose Lee’s arm– because directing fits me like a glove!
I LOVE directing! It’s sacred storytelling, listening, learning, collaboration, thinking on my feet, it’s having a vision in my head that I communicate to my expert crew, and we all work together to make it spring to life!
Here I am, caught behind the scenes setting up the shot, on location at a gorgeous old house in New Orleans. I’m wearing 2 coats because it was FREEZING, as in “I can’t bend my fingers anymore someone bring me a pair of velvet gloves” freezing, and I turned the space heater away from me and onto our incredible interviewee: infamous New Orleans burlesque queen Trixie Minx.
Trixie spoke to us of many important things, like how and why dancers choose new names so often (Nita & Zita danced under at least 5 different names), the legacy of dancing in New Orleans, and how dance artists disappear after they die because their art form is ephemeral, UNLESS someone tells their story.
Every time I have hit big obstacles in this film journey–and there have been many– and I wonder what the hell I am doing and I should probably become a petsitter or a bartender, I would see my poster of Zitas eyes and say, “Don’t worry girl, I got you. It’s happening. Your story will be told.”
So… here I am.
Side note: “Nita” means grace in Hebrew, and “Zita” means brave seeker.
(Double Side note: choosing names for myself and my friends is one of my favorite parts of dancing! I have been Selena (moon goddess), Principessa Selena Delaluna, Honey, Marcellina, Marcella, and many more! Kim was Vermilion, Lucky, Rocket Sapphire, Empress Genevieve, and many more! Its endlessly entertaining to hear how and why dancers choose their performing names.)
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/marcidarling/the-nita-and-zita-documentary
