FILMMAKER PROFILE

by Catherine Crouch

Heather Tobin is a young, talented filmmaker born in Toronto, Canada and raised in Barrie, Ontario. Tobin graduated from the three year Broadcasting Program as a Film Major at Niagara College Canada with honors. At Niagara, she was honored with the Bob Johnson Award for best all around student, an award for best cinematography in a short film and an The director at work on her feature To Each Her Own. Hannah Hogan and Tracy Rae star in To Each Her Own. award for her final thesis paper on the importance of the female vision in the film industry. Since graduating in 2003 Tobin has started her own I believe our Indianapolis audience will be as engaged and independent film company, 'To Each HER Own FILMS'. excited by Tobin’s film as we were on the selection committee and I am excited to introduce you all to her here in this filmmaker’s I was struck by the relaxed, confident style in Tobin’s feature film profile. debut, To Each Her Own. In many ways this story of a Lesbian Lothario chasing [and being pursued by] a married “straight” CC: How did you get involved with filmmaking? woman could have been typical, yet Tobin’s deep mastery of the emotional nuances is quite stunning and deft. HT: I wanted to be a director since I was 12 years old and I bought my first VHS video camera with paper route money. When I Long kissing scenes took me back to those early 20-something realized that I was gay and started becoming comfortable with my relationships and their emotional intensity, the physical draw of a true self I felt completely at ease and liberated, I had never felt forbidden love, the hunger that cannot be satisfied. more alive and I knew it was my personal life goal to help other men and woman become comfortable with who they are as well Tobin had me squirming through a gripping scene of that cringe as to maybe enlighten other people with how hard it can be to be worthy moment many of us have been through where one woman openly gay even in today’s day and age and the only way its ever is beating on the door and begging to talk and the other woman going to get better is if it becomes common and of the norm. is in the house with her primary partner, aching to open the door yet trapped and humiliated by the exposure of secrets. CC: Please tell us about your film.

HT: Jess meets Casey, a very openly gay woman and quickly the girls form a strong romantic bond which forces Jess to come to terms with her true sexuality. Jess is captivated by Casey’s lifestyle, meeting her friends and accepting family send Jess’ life spinning out of control not knowing what to do as she falls deeper in love with Casey and risks losing her loyal and kind hearted husband. Casey's life is turned upside down as well, having been a very promiscuous woman, never feeling that true love was really her thing, until now! Ultimately Jess is forced to choose between Casey & Trevor, risking stability, her family, all that she knows, for the great unknown and her new found love. To Each Her Own goes deep into the feelings and emotions that people go through while undergoing the coming out process in hopes to help people understand how truly hard the struggle with both internalized and external homophobia can be.

CC: I am so impressed you acted as the writer, director, cinematographer and editor on your first feature. Since a feature usually requires intense collaboration between four (or more) people to cover these duties I wonder how it was to wear all these hats as well as communicate with your actors?

HT: The actors went above and beyond anything I could have hoped for with first time actors working on a deferral basis. The three leads are so incredible. I would literally do 30 takes of every scene and they would deliver the same caliber of acting each and every take. I originally had Casey in my mind as a more boi dyke type character. I considered placing Hannah Hogan (Jess) and Tracy Rae's (Casey) roles opposite but with much debate I decided that the actors’ talents suited their roles. Tracy studied lesbian mannerisms to a T and threw her walk and her voice right into the role.

CC: Tell us how the story came about for you.

HT: Well personally my family has always supported my sexuality so it’s certainly not autobiographical. The script took about six months to write around my day job and it’s based on many different factors and experiences both personal and through friends experience. Most of the morals and views expressed in the film are mine and it’s the little things in the film, like believing in love at first sight and the characters ordering my favorite meals in the opening scenes that are more me.

CC: How much do you collaborate with actors?

HT: Since the film was [produced] on my credit cards and the equipment money had come from money I saved over 2 years working in a factory, there was no money to put them up in hotels so the actors had to sleep over at my house (I was living with my grandmother at the time). We became like a little family. We formed very strong bonds and it was through really knowing my actors as people that I was able to direct each of the individually to their personal needs. I studied them as people and tried to keep this in mind when approaching them as a director. I had different techniques when directing each of them. Ultimately it was important to me to have strong friendships on set while always keeping in mind the final product. The actors in To Each Her Own will always hold a special place in my heart. CC: I am so impressed by what a full service filmmaker you are. This is very unusual.

HT: I was the director, cinematographer and camera op. So all the shots were mine. It made it easy, we were always so rushed on set and not having to transfer my angles/framing to a camera op, allowed me the extra time to work on rehearsals and nailing the takes. Basically I did everything but boom. On occasion I couldn't find someone to boom the shoot so I'd do that too, but those scenes would never have a nice pan (laughs). The actors were great, they knew I had no crew and would always help boom or carry equipment.

CC: What do you hope audiences will take from your film?

HT: I want gays and lesbians to be proud when they walk down the street holding their partner’s hand. Externalized and internalized Homophobia will only get better if we're willing to go through the rough times to get to the good. We have come so far in the past 50 years and the next step is to be brave and put it all on the line. Never treat your same-sex relationship any different than you would a straight one because if you do, then that gives everyone else the right to.

CC: Tell us about your plans for future projects.

HT: I'm currently writing a second lesbian film but before I make that I would love to find a producer for a really cool concept film I've written. It’s called Innate Responses (Science Fiction Drama) and although it is a straight film a lot of underlying messages in the film are related to gay and lesbian issues. Or issues in general of being out of the norm. It is kind of like Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, crossed with Donnie Darko and The Butterfly Effect.

CC: Any final thoughts about the making of To Each Her Own?

HT: I would just like to thank all my friends, family and actors for putting up with me taking over their homes as sets and believing in me even though I didn't have a crew. I think To Each Her Own goes to show just how far a good script and amazing actors and a little knowhow can go to make a great film. People learn through the media and in order to stop homophobia more mainstream movies need to start being made about gay and lesbians.

Heather Tobin’s To Each Her Own will be shown on Saturday, November 15 at 6:30PM on Screen A of the Indianapolis LGBT Film Festival. We are honored to have Ms. Tobin as our guest at the screening.