Lucia Palmer

By Lucia Palmer

Originally published in Austin Fusion Magazine, August 5, 2013 with images by Aaron Rimbey

Austin-based filmmaker Carley Marissa is garnering attention for her short films that aren’t afraid to engage in intensely emotional and intimate subjects. Her current project “A Kiss Before You Go” tackles the devastating effects of rape on a couple as they ripple like aftershocks through their lives.

The story follows Magdelena and Henry, who, after sharing an experience of sexual violence, must cope with the act’s lasting impacts on each other and their relationship.

“It’s a story about their journey as people,” said Marissa. “It’s about Magdelena finding herself, about her going to hell and back and being able to survive. For Henry, it’s about the blame he puts on himself and him trying to start over.”

Marissa wanted to tackle this issue after witnessing a loved one struggle with the trauma of being sexually assaulted.

“I felt like I could write about rape because I saw the deterioration of a person who experienced it,” Marissa said. “But I also saw her rebirth. Her being able to be touched again, to have a boyfriend, and being able to go out and enjoy herself and be okay.”

Marissa has a history of making films that deal with provocative subjects. Her first short film, “The Space Between Us,” delves into abortion and its emotional toll. Although Marissa deals with controversial topics, she doesn’t want to politicize the issue of rape. Rather, she wants to tell the story of the intimate battles a person undergoes after being victimized.

“When I made my first film, everyone thought I was trying to make a statement about abortion,” Marissa said. “But I was trying to talk about an experience and its effects on a person.”

With “A Kiss Before You Go,” Marissa hopes that at the end of her film, the audience will leave with a sense of hope and love rather than feeling disturbed or uneasy. She wants it to be a tale of personal triumph and growth.

Marissa traces her desire and capacity to deal with intimate and emotional subjects to her background in acting. She attributes much of her success thus far to her acting teacher and mentor, Laurel Vouvray, who has challenged her to confront tough subject matter and to be brave enough to pursue her interest in filmmaking.

Although Marissa didn’t go to film school, she said she has always been a writer and in love with movies. Her transition from acting to filmmaking forced her to learn new skills while she honed her directing talents.

“It feels like I’m in film school, because I’m learning about production while I’m working,” Marissa said. “ I feel like directing is the easy part because I’m an actor, so it comes more easily to me.”

It’s the logistical things, she said, that have been both challenging and exciting for her to learn. She credits her crew for teaching her new camera techniques and production methods that have expanded her filmmaking abilities.

The three films Marissa has made thus far have all been largely financed through IndieGoGo (an online resource that allows individuals to donate to creative projects in exchange for incentives such as appearing as an extra or receiving a signed script). Marissa said that in today’s media context, artists need crowdsourcing to fund their projects.

“It’s hard because you have to attract an audience,” Marissa said. “Statistically speaking we had to have 20,000 people view our site [for “A Kiss Before You Go”] to get the funding we needed. Really, it’s about marketing.”

“Her first short, “The Space Between Us,” was made for just $1,500. Despite its low budget, the film received a distribution deal with Shorts International. Marissa hopes “A Kiss Before You Go” will have similar success.

Marissa would like to continue to make films in Austin rather than relocating to Los Angeles or New York City. She’s optimistic about her prospects here.

“Austin’s pretty booming and it’s like the mecca for independent film right now,” Marissa said. “I’d rather do as much as I can in the city I’m living in. And I really love it here, it’s the best place I’ve ever lived.”

After “A Kiss Before You Go” is completed, Marissa hopes to start shopping her first feature film, “Flower Girls.”