Tara Sheffer
“ON YOUR RADAR” IS A WEEKLY GRAD FILM NEWS SEGMENT THAT FEATURES A STUDENT PICKED AT RANDOM.
TARA IS CURRENTLY A 3RD YEAR STUDENT AT GRAD FILM. WE ASKED HER A FEW QUESTIONS, AND HERE’S WHAT SHE HAD TO SAY:
1. Where do you consider home and what is it like there?
I'm from a lot of places in the American South, but I grew up primarily in Little Rock, Arkansas. It's beautiful there.
2. What is currently inspiring you as a filmmaker?
I'm inspired to tell stories about people who do not necessarily get to have their stories told; specifically stories about women in the South. I think a lot about where I grew up. My family is spread out now, but the times I was a kid driving around and through Arkansas, Florida, Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana, and Tennessee are cemented in my mind -- the landscapes and the people -- tend to show up in my films. Recently, I've been deeply inspired by the stories of my family that have been passed down over the years, a sort of Sheffer-lore. From telling tall tales around the dinner table to spinning stories over a couple of drinks -- my family is full of truly incredible characters and storytellers who in-themselves are inspiring to me. I also find solace in music, poetry, literature, photography, etc -- I create a sort of bible for every film I write and direct that is comprised of a collage of these things. I've recently turned back to the short stories of Flannery O'Connor and the poetry of Frank Stanford as inspiration. So, long story short: I'm inspired by my family, the American South, and the fusion of the two.
3. What has been your most rewarding experience at NYU Tisch Grad Film so far?
The most rewarding thing about NYU thus far has to be the people who have come into my life: friends, mentors, professors, and collaborators. Their friendship and collaboration have made me a better storyteller and a better person. I'm really grateful for the truly remarkable connections I've made.
Visit Tara's website, check out her production company, and follow her on Instagram.