Or Die Trying executive producers Sarah Hawkins and Myah Hollis caught up with Set Photographer Caroline Phillips to talk about her experience working on ODT Season 1.
ODT: What initially drew you to OR DIE TRYING?
Caroline Phillips: A series about women produced by women? I mean, what wasn’t enticing about that? I found out about OR DIE TRYING from Sarah Hawkins, who I went to college with a few years back. I was first just a big fan, but realized I’d love to be involved in the project. I contacted Sarah and found out that they needed a still photographer/videographer and I bought my ticket to LA. I was so happy to be able to work with this group of women.
ODT: Without giving too much away, what themes in this series resonated with you on a personal level?
CP: With all of the different circumstances that each of the women are going through, you can find at least one or two that resonate with you. As a woman working in film, I was able to reflect on what I’m going through each day in the dialogue on set. Since I’m somewhat still very new to the whole adult thing, I have no idea where I’m going and I’m trying to navigate my way, as these characters are as well.
ODT: What was it like working with a crew made up of primarily women?
CP: It was such a joy to come to work everyday! It wasn’t just that the set was filled with women, it was that it comprised of a variety of different women, from very different backgrounds. I loved learning about everyone’s journey. As the photographer, I loved trying to capture each person’s personality.
ODT: How do you think that benefited this particular project?
CP: Since it’s a series about women - it was important to have women on crew that understood the voice of the project. Every day, all the crew members sat behind the camera, enthralled by all the scenes. That was awesome. We, as women, saw ourselves in some aspect of the characters. So everyone worked very hard to make sure the scenes were done right.
ODT: Favorite moment on set?
CP: Every time there was a scene where all the crew members were sitting behind the monitor, super quiet and into the scene. But really one of my favorite moments were on the way home. I drove a few of the crew members home each night and it was so much fun reflecting on each day. Every day we would all just gush about how awesome everyone is and how we loved this project. It was great to end on that note.
ODT: What do you think is the most effective way to go about changing the systematic gender problems in the film industry?
CP: I think it’s to keep creating stories that reflect the stories of different people. As much as we can write articles about how it’s all broken and misrepresented, we need screenwriters and producers to create those stories and make them, no matter what. Keep telling the right stories. And the right people need to tell those stories. Don’t have a man writing a female story because we need more female-character driven films. We need females writing from their perspective.
ODT: Any other projects you're currently working on?
CP: I am currently working with a few small local businesses in my hometown on films for their brands. I am filming with a rum distillery and I love learning about their story.
I’m also trying to practice writing more and lean into new things!
ODT: Where can we find more of your work?
CP: On my website! carolinejphillips.com Or you can find my craziness on my Instagram : @caro_jphillips where you can see pictures of sunsets and my dog.
