Doc on Campus: Iva Radivojevic and Danielle Rosen '06
Last November, MDOCS lucked out with a double-whammy visit from two highly accomplished
documentary filmmakers. Writer-producer-cinematographer Iva Radivojevic (left) and producer Danielle Rosen, '06 (right) are both practicing filmmakers with distinct career paths and backgrounds. After
presenting their pieces to Skidmore students in separate screening events, the two
joined with several Skidmore students to discuss their inspirations, methods and documentary
mantras.
Both bringing fresh perspectives to the table, the creative minds behind Evaporating Borders (Iva) and Drunk, Stoned, Brilliant, Dead: The Story of the National Lampoon (Danielle) push us to expand our definition of documentary film. MDOCS encourages students to explore the diverse range of opportunities within the doc industry, reinforcing the idea that there’s no one “correct” way to create a documentary project. With that in mind, check out how Iva and Danielle compare and contrast when it comes to their filmmaking styles and approaches.
Background
Having a background as an illustrator and studio artist, Iva has always been familiar
with the sensation of having a “vision” to express. Although filmmaking was not her
initial interest, what ultimately drew her to the medium was its ability to capture
the stories she wanted to tell. Iva’s films often touch on themes of displacement
and migration. Having been born in Cyprus, she brings the international perspective
necessary to effectively communicate these stories. Iva’s filmmaking journey has taken
her to places like Macedonia, Serbia, Turkey and Croatia (to name a few). Wherever
her work brings her, Iva maintains that “the camera is an extension of you,” so the
more you can experience, the better. Her worn-in passport has also brought her to
Brooklyn, where she has gone on to set up her permanent center of operations. Danielle
is also based in NYC, where she serves as the Vice President of Production at 4th Row Films, a production company that specializes in independent films (both documentary
and narrative). A Skidmore alum, Danielle graduated with degrees in psychology and
theater. Coming at film from this path, she credits her adaptable nature within the
industry to her liberal arts education, which set her up with the business, artistic
and interpersonal skills necessary to create largely collaborative projects.
Production
Probably the area where the two filmmakers differ the most is in the actual processes
they go through in order to create their films. Iva works on a comparatively smaller
scale and prefers to operate independently on all aspects of her projects. Working
with a portable DSLR camera ideal for low-profile filming, Iva is able to act improvisationally
and experimentally as her own director, writer, camera crew and editor. As she puts
it, she grants herself a “full artistic license.” On the other end of the spectrum,
what’s fantastic about Danielle’s situation is that she’s surrounded by a group of
people all working together toward the same creative vision. 4th Row Films upholds
the idea that “who we work with and how we work with others becomes as important as
the talent that goes into producing a film.”
Style
“You can make personal films without being in them,” Iva explains. The projects she
creates strike a personal chord with her, but she chooses to not turn the camera on
herself. The narration, however, is a separate matter. Evaporating Borders “dissects the experience of asylum seekers in Cyprus,” and is told through a series
of vignettes, each narrated by Iva (speaking in Greek). Her narration is enhanced
by vibrant shots of open landscapes and Grecian streets, allowing audiences space
to take in what she says. Elements of the personal and the natural are captured with
great attention to detail. Iva effectively communicates a tone that’s both subdued
and engaging.
4th Row Films chooses to create films about a broad range of topics, which has allowed them to build up a diverse body of work. Drunk, Stoned, Brilliant, Dead (2015), offers a broad and vivid history of the National Lampoon. Incorporating dozens of one-on-one interviews with the comedy legends who contributed to the rise and acclaim of the publication, DSBD is “intended to to introduce a new generation to the comedy they already love.” Told in a more “traditional doc style,” the film incorporated a combination of intimate interviews, archival footage and still photography. The film brings an often-welcomed hint of comedy while still acknowledging the important role the National Lampoon has played in the history of American comedy.
Funding
The phrase “starving artist” was thrown around during the filmmakers’ lunch, and both
women agree that at the end of the day you don’t have to starve to do what you love.
Particularly in our overconnected world, there are tons of conceivable methods for
artists to both make a living and get their work seen. For Iva, her work comes first
and business comes second. “I love filming for myself, not for work.” She starts her
process with an idea, and through active Kickstarter campaigns and generous support,
she’s able to carry that idea through to the end. 4th Row Films takes a different approach, producing commercial work as a means to self-finance
their personal projects. “There’s no way to make films without resources,” Danielle
adds, “so keep doing what you’re good at in order to provide for yourself.”
There was a ton of information to keep track of during the lunch—the ins and outs of each film, the constructive processes that go into making them, the cinematography choices, etc. What I expected to be a polarizing conversation, however, turned out to be an affirmation of the work being done within MDOCS. As an aspiring filmmaker with plenty of ideas but little insight as to how I continue forward, I found it it reassuring to learn that the choices that go into one project do not have to define me or the choices I make further into my career. There’s no “correct” way to express a story, whether I choose to carry on my merry way independently or in a pack of people with whom I share the same creative goals.
—Sam Grant ’18
For more information on Iva’s film, Evaporating Borders, go to www.evaporatingborders.com
To visit Iva’s website, check out www.ivaasks.com.
For more information on 4th Row Films, visit 4throwfilms.com.
