Written by: Julia Randolph '24

Film director Ms. Abigail Horton visited the Sacred Heart Greenwich Creative Filmmaking and Real World Filmmaking classes on October 17. A graduate of Wesleyan University and a member of the National Board for Review, Ms. Horton enjoys producing commercials and short films. Her works have played at SXSW, Fantastic Fest, LA Film Festival, Cleveland International Film Festival, Woodstock Film Festival, and she also has received several Vimeo Staff Picks. 

Ms. Horton recently finished writing and directing Blow up My Life, a narrative film produced during Covid. Made with eight people (nine including their Covid officer), this experience showed her that despite being in a time of uncertainty, challenges, and restrictions, anything is possible with perseverance and dedication.

Ms. Horton highlighted that each filmmaker's journey is unique, referring to it as a “wild path.”  She emphasized how important it is to “try to make something you’ve never seen before.” She also stressed to both Real World Filmmaking and Creative Filmmaking classes that “movies can be anything.” Influenced by “Songs from the Second Floor,” directed by Roy Andersson, she said that she tries to make films she’s never seen before. She also said how vital it is for her as a director to create an environment when filming in which people aren't afraid to get yelled at. 

She heavily enjoys the social aspect filmmaking provides her. She said, “Directing is a very solitary career, most of the time you’re scheming about how to make the next project by prepping and getting people together. When you’re finally on set together, it's so fun to work with people.” 

Ms. Horton asserted that when struggling with writer's block it is a “matter of continuing to write and practice.” She said that writing scripts is the most painful part for her. Blow Up My Life was the fourth script she has ever written. She said, " I can’t overstress how important it is to just watch movies and really study what you are watching.” Essentially, she encourages young filmmakers to find inspiration in the works of others, and even learn from others. 

Ella Breitenbach, a student in the Creative Filmmaking class, was truly grateful for the opportunity to listen to Abigail Horton. She said, “It was so wonderful to see the work and creative process of a filmmaker in today's film industry.”