Originally appearing in Cinema Crazed on March 18, 2021 by Emilie Black.
Please introduce yourself.
I’m Ashley Maria, I’m located in Los Angeles, and I recently launched my first feature film, Pioneers in Skirts, a documentary which follows my own journey as a director in Hollywood and the obstacles women confront in their careers. I started out in the genre space – horror, comedy, action – but quickly saw how I would be treated in my career as “just a woman-director,” even after winning a Directors Guild of America award for my first short film, “Friday Night Fright.” So, I had to make a movie to find solutions to create real change. That is Pioneers in Skirts which was released in 2020, now screening worldwide. I’m now coming back to horror, developing my next feature – and very excited!
What is it that attracts you to the horror genre for your chosen field of creative work?
I’m one of those kids that grew up on Goosebumps and Twilight Zone and will forever be a little messed up because of it, right? Oh gosh, and Scream. Seeing that movie at a sleepover, when I was way too young to see it, was a defining moment for me. I like being scared, and I like making the movies I want to see. I like to mess with reality, bring in humor and wit, and just have a fun time with the audience. Horror is a genre that sets us up to have a conversation with the viewer. It’s intimate. We’re talking deepest, most terrifying fears here. I can play with the audience; they know I’m there. And I love it.
Who inspires you in your work and in life?
Wes Craven was a huge inspiration to me. In 2014, I had the opportunity to work with him and receive his mentorship. He complimented my work. Said I ‘had what it takes’ because of my grasp on comedy – comedy being, in his words, the conjoined twin of horror. He helped me trust myself and my instincts, and I will be forever grateful to him.
I’m also very inspired by the other women working in this field. We are a tight group and very supportive of each other, often helping each other on our projects.
I’m inspired when I see great work, and I’m inspired when I’m genuinely scared! I can’t wait for haunted houses to open up again…
Women in horror have made great strides, but it’s clear that a lot of work is still needed to make it a most inclusive genre. To you, what is the importance of a movement like Women in Horror Month?
Seeing women in these roles is good for both women and men. Women see that they are not the only one, and they see role models in the women you highlight. And men, they see that women can do this, too. It’s not just a boy’s club. It opens up the discussion on who gets to define the horror genre. Hint…it’s all of us.
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?
The numbers of women in horror can seem small, sure, but the community is large. Our work is original and terrifying. It’s honest and relatable. And it’s not just made up of directors! We have women in all specialties above and below the line ready to make great work. So, I would say, yes, it will be a challenge, but it’s worth it and we’ll do it together. Look at the women around you as your allies, not your competition. And, when you are in a position of leadership, hire womxn, hire BIPOC, and pay them what they’re worth!
What are your favorite bits of helpful advice that you have received about your work or your field?
Wes Craven told me simply, “it’s never normal and always a challenge.” He then went on to tell me endless stories, no matter the budget, of things that went wrong on his films, and how he had to pivot and get creative to make his films work.
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?
Brea Grant! She has launched a few films this year as a writer, director and actor, plus she’s also featured in my film Pioneers in Skirts, so that’s cool! Maritte Go, we went to USC together, she has a film coming out in the Blumhouse series; and Gigi Guerrero who also works with Blumhouse and is freaking hilarious. Sounds like Jason Blum paid attention to the backlash when he said there weren’t a lot of female horror directors, huh?
What do you have coming soon that you can talk to us about?
Pioneers in Skirts, my first feature, is now released to the world! We are currently screening with the United Nations and taking the film globally for an Impact Relay to aid in a gender equitable pandemic recovery.
That being said, every project moving forward will have this gender equity lens in my storytelling. And, my next project is a narrative horror/comedy, set at Christmas time, but that’s all I’m saying now!
Keep your end credits way shorter than I did! The image below shows where viewers keep their attention during the film. You can see how quickly they jump off during the end credit roll.
Sometimes people think you shouldn’t fundraise for low budgeted projects — I learned that you should. because the effort of fundraising will help you to build your supporters. USC only allowed students to put $1000 of their own money into their project (not including USC resources). I chose to fundraise for the $1000 instead of going out of pocket…who has $1000 as a grad student??
Kid actors are not allowed to scream for every take per their studio teacher rules, so we had to fake it a lot so that our actor didn’t lose his voice. I’m sure this is a good lesson for adult actors as well — no one should have to scream for 10 – 20 takes! But, those shots never looked as good as when he really screamed. So my suggestion to you, plan around safety for your kid’s voice by doing coverage of them when they don’t have to really scream, then go all in for those money straight-on shots!
