Name: LaLa Halsema
Discipline: Director-Writer-Producer
Production Company: Shimmer Films
Film: Potluck
Logline: Masking her broken heart with positivity and one-liners, Carolyn tries desperately to belong.
Festival(s): Atlanta Women’s Comedy Festival
City you’re based in: Atlanta, GA
Short Bio: LaLa Halsema is an award winning writer, director, producer who has worked on a variety of projects: feature films, short films, YouTube shorts, commercials, industrials, and videos for non-profits. She has a genuine love of people and stories about the messiness and beauty of being human. An actor’s director, she has a BA in theatre, studied at American Academy of Dramatic Arts, and Sundance Co//ab. LaLa has worked in almost every aspect of production from a Burbank studio to multi hat wearing on independent film sets, and thrives on taking a project from creative idea, into production, through final edit – all the while relishing the crewmunity built along the way.
Website: theshimmerfilms.com
Social Media Links: IG @lalahalsema
Favorite Quote: “Instructions for living a life: Pay attention. Be astonished. Tell about it.” Mary Oliver
Interests/ Hobbies: Films! Reading, hiking with my dog, pickle ball.

How did you get started in the Film Industry?
Acting then started at a studio in LA.

What are your upcoming and active projects?
Next short, “Memaw’s Dead”, feature “This I Know” and a TV Series I can’t name.

What type of stories interest you and why?
Stories about the joy and pain of being human and what connects us. I want to celebrate humanity and remind us that we need each other.

What is your genre of choice?
Dramady

How are you creating a path for yourself in this industry?
Staying true to my uniques vision as I tell the stories I am passionate about. Also treating everyone with kindness and respect.

What inspires you as a storyteller?
Love. Hope. Redemption.

How do you prep for a film, from writing to being on set?
Go on lots of hikes! This time helps me to clear my brain so I can be creative.

What is the first thing you do when you get a script?
Read it 3 times. First time I try to just read it and enjoy it, second time I read more critically and the third time I take notes on what I love and what I suggest we work on.

What are a few lessons you’ve learned from your recent project(s)?
Take the time to get it how you want it. The people you surround yourself with mean everything. Create it, do your best, let it go.

What practical tips do you have for indie filmmakers (budgeting, marketing, directing)?
Great casting will save you. Creating a healthy environment on set allows everyone to thrive and produce amazing work. Honor the craft – not just your own but the entire cast & crew.