Mental Health in Film and the Strength of Creative Community with Filmmaker Shana L. Darabie
Show Notes:
In this episode of The Slow Dive, host Farida Rafique engages with filmmaker Shana L. Darabie, exploring the intersections of art, mental health, and community. They discuss the importance of creativity in supporting mental well-being, the journey of becoming a director, and the collaborative nature of filmmaking.
Shana shares her creative process, the challenges of vulnerability in writing, and her passion for science fiction and horror genres. The conversation highlights the significance of storytelling and the connections formed within creative communities.
In this conversation, Farida Rafique and Shana L. Darabie explore the intersection of mental health and film. They discuss how various movies depict mental health issues, the societal implications of these portrayals, and the importance of compassionate storytelling.
They reflect on their creative projects, including Shana's film Canary Trap, and emphasize the need for community support and awareness around mental health.
Photo by Alexander Polis (https://alexanderpolis.com)
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mybotworks/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shana-darabie/
IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4788546/
The daughter of Trinidadian immigrants, Shana is a former fashion designer turned filmmaker based in Brooklyn, New York. Previously, Shana worked in post-production doing motion graphics for commercial and television.
In 2021, she was awarded the Devery Freeman Memorial Award for Screenwriting for her sci-fi/horror feature FACSIMILE. In 2023, her sci-fi pilot CLONES was a Circle of Confusion Writer Discovery Fellowship Finalist and her sci-fi/action feature SUPERVILLAINOUS was a WGAe and FilmNation NY Screenwriting Fellowship Finalist. In 2024, SUPERVILLAINOUS was also a Semifinalist for both The Writers Lab and Almanack Screenwriters October Colony.
She currently works as a Development Associate at the Department of Motion Pictures. Shana has written, directed and/or produced several commercials and shorts with plans to make her debut feature in the very near future. In her free time, Shana volunteers with Hollenback Community Garden, Climate Families NYC and Books Through Bars.
Takeaways:
Creativity can significantly lower cortisol levels and improve mental health.
Art and storytelling have been integral to Shana's life since childhood.
Community and collaboration are essential in the filmmaking process.
Vulnerability is a crucial aspect of sharing one's writing.
The creative process often involves overcoming self-doubt and perfectionism.
A class project sparked Shana's journey into directing.
Writing treatments and outlines can take a long time, but once the groundwork is laid, the actual script can be completed quickly.
Zoom has made connecting with other writers and maintaining a creative community easier.
Science fiction and horror are Shana's favorite genres to explore in her work.
The importance of making art that resonates personally rather than following trends.
The influence of early cinema shapes our interests.
Diverse genres can intersect in storytelling.
Films can depict mental health issues positively or negatively.
Societal failures contribute to mental health crises.
Access to mental health care is a significant issue.
Community support is crucial for mental health recovery.
Poverty exacerbates mental health challenges.
Creative storytelling can foster understanding and compassion.
Compassionate narratives can reduce stigma around mental health.
Engaging with film can be a form of self-care.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THE EPISODE:
Shana’s Movie Recommendations:
TULLY (2018)
THE SNAKE PIT (1948)
YOUNG ADULT (2011)
WELCOME TO ME (2014)
PERFECT BLUE (1997) paired with MILLENNIUM ACTRESS (2001)
YEAR OF THE DOG
BOOK: Poverty, by America: Matthew Desmond
https://www.nami.org/advocate/the-best-movies-about-mental-health/
Distorted depictions: Popular movies misrepresent the reality of mental health conditions
https://www.creativescreenwriting.com/writing-accurate-portrayals-of-mental-health-on-screen-part-1/
CHAPTERS
00:00 Introduction to Shana L. Darabie
09:11 The Role of Art in Mental Health
18:32 The Journey to Directing
20:59 Creative Process and Flow State
24:22 Community and Collaboration in Creativity
28:03 Overcoming Vulnerability in Writing
31:24 Exploring Genres: Science Fiction and Horror
31:53 The Influence of Early Cinema
33:00 Exploring Genres: Action, Crime, and Historical Drama
33:59 Portrayals of Mental Health in Film
36:02 Societal Reflections: Mental Health and the Joker
38:52 The Cost of Mental Health Care
41:59 Community Solutions for Mental Health
45:01 The Burden of Poverty and Mental Health
48:08 Creative Storytelling: Canary Trap
51:02 The Importance of Compassionate Narratives
55:06 Closing Thoughts on Mental Health Awareness
