[Slamdance] Interview with Director Natasha Ofili
Actress and filmmaker, Natasha Ofili’s thriller short The Multi, premiered at the 2022 Slamdance Film Festival. The short explores the isolation of a young Deaf Black Woman coping with an event that digs up trauma from her past. The Multi shows how the constructed world of the character has helped her bury her trauma and keep it from herself. Throughout the short we see the impact that isolation has on the young woman, forcing her to grapple with the intrusion on her psyche and heavily developed routine.
The aim of Natasha’s production company NIOVISION is to create authentic stories through authentic representation. A majority of the crew were Deaf or Hard of Hearing and worked alongside hearing crew members. The entire production was accessible with Zoom calls including interpreters and working in a hybrid environment to bring the production to life.
Continue reading to find out more about Natasha and her thriller short, The Multi.
“ After watching The Multi, I want the audience to look at themselves in the mirror and ask, “do I embrace all that I am? Do I embrace others as is?”
Can you share the story behind your production company NIOVISION?
Many years ago, NIOVISION was created for my storytelling fashion blog. I used fashion to tell stories, share mantras, and uplifting messages. This was my way to connect with people and express my vulnerability. Sadly, it was short-lived, but I am happy I didn't get rid of NIOVISION because NIOVISION represents my initials: Natasha Ifeanyi Ofili. Although people know me as Natasha Ofili, I added my middle name initial "I" because it has a symbolic meaning. Ifeanyi means "Nothing is Impossible" in Nigerian. "Vision" is my love, pain, hopes, and truths of humanity shared through the power of storytelling. I wanted to take a chance to start something. The Multi was the push to form my own production company to produce authentic stories with authentic representation.
Your short 'The Multi' debuted at Slamdance 2022, how does it feel to have such an incredible project out there?
I feel honored to have my film shown at the 2022 Slamdance Film festival. It is a gift when you truly trust yourself and take the big leap to produce a profound, beautiful story that you believe in. The Multi is the product of me not waiting for someone to see me and my talent. I am humbly excited for the audience members and the world to watch The Multi.
You wrote, produced, and acted in The Multi; how did you manage so many roles?
I trusted myself and my abilities. Most importantly, I am passionate about being an actress, a storyteller, and a filmmaker. Because of my previous experience as a professional fashion designer, I created a structure to multitask and delegated different duties. Most importantly, I emphasized the importance of clear and consistent communication. During pre-production, the heavy lifting required communication between all members of the pre-production crew. Each person has their strengths and has something to bring to the table. The structure I implemented allowed each member to flourish. As an actor, I worked with an acting coach, Chrystee Pharris, to analyze the script and discuss the layers and emotions. During post-production, it was a beautiful, challenging process. Mikail Chowdhury and I worked with the editor, Chris Chan Roberson, via email. After each edit, we would playback the film and type up the timecodes with notes. For sound, I worked with my composer, Matthew Pusti. (The Girlfriend Experience, Makeup and Vanity Set). Yes, a deaf person working with the composer! I loved the entire process and learned a great deal. I wouldn't be able to do this if I didn't believe in myself and was not passionate about filmmaking. I also want to thank my incredible team for their hard work and passion in creating this film. When I produce my next film, I will apply what I learned from The Multi and continue to flourish.
The Multi uses quite a few horror elements throughout; would you ever be interested in writing a horror short or feature?
Yes =) I wrote a feature that falls more under the Thriller genre. I look forward to producing a Thriller in the future.
What inspired you to write The Multi?
This film started spontaneously; it began with a grant opportunity to create something for another script. Unfortunately, I couldn't proceed due to COVID. Faced with the challenge of writing a new story, I wrote The Multi in 3 days, and I couldn't believe it! The grant expanded my creativity and inspired me to convey vulnerability in storytelling. It led me to the sky to produce this film because this type of story - one of a Black Deaf Woman and mental health - is not often shared. It is also an opportunity to have authentic representation on the screen.
The Multi explores trauma, isolation, and mental health; what messages do you want your audience to take away from watching your short?
After being diagnosed with clinical depression in 2009, I sought help and went to therapy for many years. I am who I am today because of the support I had with my mental health and depression. It gave me strength and abundance. When I talk to people about my journey and feel depressed, expressing my feelings and emotions is very normal. I realized for others, it's not normal. It is not normal to talk about it. There is a stigma that weighs around mental health. After watching The Multi, I want the audience to look at themselves in the mirror and ask, “do I embrace all that I am? Do I embrace others as is?” It is OK to feel what you feel, be vulnerable with yourself, and ask for the right help.
Do you and NIOVISION have any upcoming projects that you would like to share?
I'm currently working on adapting a playwright, The Window, into a feature film to partner with a production company to produce the film in 2022. I am also writing another feature film and a pilot.
Find out more about Natasha and NIOVISION
Tickets for Slamdance are still available. Head over and watch The Multi.
