Michelle Iannantuono is a writer, director, producer, editor, cinematographer, actress, visual artist who loves horror and video games.
Please introduce yourself.
I’m Michelle Iannantuono, a queer asexual filmmaker from South Carolina. Although I make a lot of horror movies, video games are probably the biggest common denominator amid my work. In addition to directing the video game horror film Livescream, I’ve also spent several years working on some gay sci-fi romance Detroit Become Human fan films.
What is it that attracts you to the horror genre for your chosen field of creative work?
Maybe it’s my ADHD, but I enjoy genres that are mentally stimulating – tension, mystery, shock, surprise. I’m usually bored by movies that don’t have a clear premise or clear stakes from the jump. But thrillers and horror suit this perfectly. Horror comes easy to me as a writer, because it has a pattern and very few moments to be boring.
Who inspires you in your work and in life?
I try to surround myself with really inspiring friends. Writer/director MJ Slide has such an incredible mind and perspective on art, life, and justice – I literally talk to them for hours. Writer/director/actor Michael Smallwood works harder than anyone and is probably the most patient person I know. He constantly reassures me that everything is a marathon, not a sprint. My actor friend Michael James Daly is extremely resilient and kind, and a hearty example of someone never giving up on their dream.
What are your passions, cinematic or otherwise?
Cinema is the main one. I think someone in my position has to be pretty singularly obsessed. When I’m not working on films, I’m usually yelling about social justice issues, doing overly elaborate nail art, or watching a Let’s Play on YouTube.
Considering this is 2022, why do you think we still need a movement like Women in Horror Month?
Women only made up 17% of directors on the top 250 highest grossing films in 2021. Even just counting the 21st century, women made up less than 10% of the Best Director winners at the Oscars. Even though the stats for horror specifically may be different, we have a long way to go before we don’t need this. I can only count on one hand the number of female directors who have been given a major studio horror film to direct.
What would you tell an up-and-coming creative in the world of horror who sees that being a woman/identifying as a woman as something that makes it so much more difficult at times?
It’s hard to give advice, but I certainly have some observations. Unfortunately, there’s no denying it – it is harder. The biggest challenge I’ve experienced is being underestimated. I hear it over and over again about my movies, no matter which movie it is: “this is better than I expected,” or even less backhanded, “I expected this would suck.” I have always wondered how often white men hear that. So, we do have to work harder and make stronger art than our peers, just to get the same amount of respect, because some audience members simply start off expecting our failure.
The other thing is this – there’s totally a ceiling, and it seems to only be broken by women who make “feminist horror.” Feminist horror is incredible, and necessary, and we need women making horror about womanhood. But as someone who doesn’t really have a movie like that in me (I usually write men or ensembles; my female experience is not deeply rooted or heteronormative, so I’m not personally drawn to writing about it) I’m not sure what I’m gonna do when I hit that ceiling. I don’t want to be shoehorned into MeToo movies, or rape revenge, or “girl power” stuff just because I’m a female director.
This isn’t just a horror problem. Big studios are only just starting to realize women can direct things other than female protagonists! Yes, women should lead Wonder Woman and Black Widow, but they should also be given X-Men and Star Wars and video game movies. Give a woman a Godzilla movie! Not a Mothra movie because she’s female – but a Godzilla movie. Give women Halloween or Scream. Most horror franchises have hinged upon strong women for decades – why the fuck do they think we aren’t capable of writing and directing them?
What are your favorite bits of helpful advice that you have received about your work or your field?
I adore Ava DuVernay’s keynote speech at Film Independent in 2013. Find it, watch all 45 minutes. One of the biggest takeaways is that people who lead with desperation, who want to ride other peoples’ success, will not get very far – that in order to develop your craft and “break in,” you must find some way to make something and show up as a creator rather than as someone asking for permission. That’s great advice for all genders.
In honor of celebrating Women in Horror Month, who do you believe viewers should keep an eye on in terms of the creative ladies in horror?
My sister in the genre is Brittany Brock. She’s been rocking the circuit for years with her shorts, and she has a feature in the works. She’s absolutely brilliant and I know very few directors of any gender with such a defined voice and visual style. Her fingerprint is undeniable. I’ve also been following Alison-Eve Hammersley for years and I truly believe she’s the next Jennifer Kent or Ari Aster. Gut wrenching, quiet, emotional horror that looks beautiful and rips your heart out.
What do you have coming soon that you can talk to us about?
I’m in pre-production for Livescreamers, the sequel to my first feature Livescream. It’s probably my most personal film to date, and will level up the original in every way. I also have another Detroit film arriving on YouTube on March 27th, and a gay horror comedy short Fame Fatale hitting the festival circuit this spring.
What do you hope to leave behind in your legacy as an artist?
I try to only make films that have never been made by anyone before. So, that might be my greatest hope – a legacy of doing things that have never been done.
Pop them links to follow your work here:
You can watch a few of my shorts, including my Detroit Become Human fan films and my comedy queer horror film Seven Deadly Synths on my Youtube channel, youtube.com/octopunkmedia. I’m also crowdfunding Livescreamers at igg.me/at/livescreamers. Folks can follow me on Instagram and Twitch as well at Instagram.com/octopunkmedia and twitch.tv/octopunkmedia.