CATEGORY: BEST DOCUMENTARY SHORT SUBJECT
INTERVIEW WITH: CYNTHIA WADE, VANESSA ROTH
FILM: "FREEHELD"
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Q. Congratulations. What are the next projects you are on to now?
A. Both Vanessa and I make very heavy duty social issue documentaries, and I'm researching a film about immigration and penalty based (sic), and they tend to be heavy social issues ending up in some cases living with the subjects in our films.
A. To me this means so much because getting funding for a film is nonstop and endless and goes until the production of the film is over. So to be validated, not only by the people that see the film, and then the Academy, as well as the people in this community, is really important to us, and now the next film I'm working on is something about education.
Q. Congratulations. All the way back here in the back. I saw you ladies out on the red carpet and I'm excited for you. Share the story that you were telling me about, the subject of this film and how important it really is.
A. Lieutenant Laurel Hester, Police Officer, New Jersey, served 25 years, was diagnosed with terminal cancer and told she could not pass her pension to her female life partner who was going to lose the house they bought and renovated together, and had been together six years and were domestic partners.
And I was so moved by the story that I asked my husband to juggle two children, one four months, one five years, and his full time job so I could live with Laurel and Stacie for the last ten weeks of life.
Laurel and Stacie helped changed laws in six counties in New Jersey, the ability to win the right for Stacie to have the pension. And nine months after, New Jersey passed the Civil Unions Act ensuring that all couples received the rights.
Q. Hi. Congratulations. What advice do you have for aspiring film makers and documentarians?
A. I think the biggest thing is that if you get involved in a documentary, you have to be really passionate about what you are doing, and it takes a lot of hard work and a lot of vision, and mostly you are living with it day and night. So if you find something that you are interested in and passionate about...
A. I would say getting involved with a documentary is a marriage. You look at the best subject matter in the face and you say, "in sickness and in health, for better or worse. I will be completely committed to you." You film the subject matter and you live, breathe, eat, and sleep it for years, and it becomes one of your most valued relationships.
Q. Thank you. Congratulations.
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