05/22/2025
Guess who I recently had the pleasure of catching up with?
The amazing director, Hope Muehlbauer!
We at BVR are big fans of Hope's work and have loved collaborating with her. In this interview, we dive deep into her directorial journey – from how it all began to the lessons she's learned and her unique approach to filmmaking.
Read an excerpt of our conversation below.
BVR: How did you first discover your passion for directing? Was there a specific moment or experience that solidified this path for you?
H: When I was a child, I remember making stop motion films on my parents’ camcorder with my stuffed animals, and that went on for a while. I really gave directing a shot when The Walking Dead was in its prime, around 2012. I was obsessed with the show and ended up making a fake zombie movie trailer with my friends, and then we decided to actually make it into a short film.
BVR: What are some of the key lessons or insights you've gained as a director?
H: At the independent film level, you really need to surround yourself with the right people who are just as passionate as you and want you both to succeed. Nothing will work when you’re not on the same page with your team. Over the past few years, I’ve met some amazing filmmakers that I would like to stick with for as long as I can.
BVR: What were some of the initial challenges you faced as a young female director breaking into the industry, and how did you navigate them? Were there any particular setbacks?
H: There were definitely times, and it still happens, when I can tell someone is not taking me seriously, and that can be very hard to deal with. I also used to be much more insecure and timid than I am now, and I’ve gotten much better at speaking up for myself. I also think it’s challenging as someone who primarily makes films in the horror genre to be taken seriously as well. Some of the most emotional films can be horror.
BVR: Can you pinpoint a moment or project that you feel was a significant turning point in your development as a director?
H: My most recent project, Jane & the Brain, has been a very eye-opening experience for me. I think I really found my footing as a director and storyteller; all of the pieces fell into place on that one. I had the team, the skills, the talent behind me, and it all was working together in harmony.
BVR: How would you describe your directorial style or approach? What are some of the hallmarks of a "Hope Muehlbauer" film?
H: I think only with my most recent work, Jane & the Brain and Lydia’s Fall, did I find things that worked the best for me. Recently, I think my style is very whimsical, but I still want it to be grounded in reality. Casting the right people who were really interested in what I was doing made a big difference. When I made my feature film in high school, I just forced a lot of my friends to act in it. Seeing the actors bring my characters to life was very emotional, especially with Gabrielle Nunzio playing the title role of Jane.
BVR: Where do you typically draw inspiration for your stories and visual ideas?
H: Usually, it starts with a specific shot I have in mind, and then a story forms around that. I always want my work to be very visually appealing as well as the content. It helps me a lot to see the energy I’m trying to capture first and then constructing a story to match. My partner, Alex Frank, has shot three of my short films so far, and it’s been very nice having him to bring my ideas to life in a more practical way.
BVR: Could you walk us through your process of developing a project from initial concept to pre-production? What are some of your key steps?
H: Some people will probably laugh when I say I make a Pinterest board and Spotify playlists for characters that I write, but Greta Gerwig does it too, and it worked out for her. It takes me a lot of typing and deleting to get things the way I want them when writing, but I always want to have a script locked down before I move any further. A good script is very important to me. Pre-production, I think, is the most stressful part of the process, but if you take your time planning and really nail it, the production will go smoothly.
BVR: What role do you see mentorship playing in the development of young directors?
H: Mentorship can be great to help young filmmakers understand what really making films is like. When I first started, I didn’t realize how much of being on sets was just “hurry up and waiting.” Mentorship also should be about lifting up young directors' creativity and helping them get things made in the most practical way possible.
You can check out Hope's latest flick, Jane & The Brain, at Valkyrie International Film Festival on Saturday, May 31st at 9PM!
