Meet Carolyn and Madelyn Dean-Mautz and Kurpgeweit

We were lucky to catch up with Carolyn and Madelyn Dean-Mautz and Kurpgeweit recently and have shared our conversation below.

Carolyn and Madelyn, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?

Mady and I (Carolyn) have been making films since our early high school years. After completing our first feature during senior year, Mady headed to LA to study film, while I pursued screenwriting in Washington. During those years, we collaborated on several short films.

After experiencing the toxicity of LA, Mady returned home. Mady had worked at various production companies, but the competitive atmosphere of Hollywood distracted her from the true essence of filmmaking: storytelling, not the pursuit of money. We realized we didn’t need to be part of the rat race to create meaningful films. Our discussions centered around our goals and the belief that films could be made anywhere, in an environment where every team member is supported and enjoys the creative process as much as we do.

Though LA initially dampened our dreams, we decided we wouldn’t let go of our passion for filmmaking. We began planning our most recent feature film, *King Tara*. This story of resilience was deeply inspired by our experiences as women. Our journey has always been about persistence, dedication, and faith. We are driven by our passion and a longing to see our vision come to life.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

Mady and I (Carolyn) own an indie film production company called Star of Magnolia Productions. We chose this name because the streets we grew up on intersected at Star and Magnolia. Raised just a few houses apart in Issaquah, Washington, we met when we were eight years old. Most of our films have been shot in the North Bend and Seattle areas, utilizing local actors and crew.

We met Giovanni Jennings during the production of our second feature-length film, and in 2020, we partnered with his company, Middle Fork Films. Since then, we’ve been collaborating closely with him.

Our passion for film stems from our joy in storytelling, especially tales set in magical, fantastical worlds. We embrace challenges and strive to excel as underdogs in the industry. This year, we completed a fantasy/adventure/romance film called King Tara. The feature has a runtime of 1 hour and 46 minutes. It premieres in May and will be available for streaming this summer.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Ambition, organization, and the willingness to see things through are crucial. Many young artists encounter various issues during filming and are unable to complete their projects. Our biggest advice is to work within your means and remain flexible when things don’t go as planned. We’ve faced challenges like bad weather, funding shortages, and no-shows. There were times when crew members had to step in as extras, scenes had to be cut, or we had to boost our fundraisers and dip into our own pockets. However, by working together as a team, we were always able to complete our projects.

In terms of knowledge, it’s important to do your research and gain as much on-set experience as possible. We often work with people for whom it’s their first set experience, and that’s fantastic! It’s never too late to learn, and sometimes the best way to learn is by doing.

Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?

Mady and I often find ourselves overwhelmed by the sheer number of tasks, costs, and time constraints involved in our projects. We’re constantly mindful of expenses for food, locations, lodging, and more. Planning and organization are crucial—they help alleviate stress because once we’re on set, it’s go time, and there’s no room for worrying.

Additionally, both of us grew up in religious households, and spirituality and faith are deeply important to us. We believe that without them, we wouldn’t be where we are today. We’ve spent countless hours praying over our projects, each other, and our team before starting any work. This spiritual practice is what helps us manage our stress the most effectively.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.starofmagnoliaproductions.com
• Instagram: @starofmagnoliaproductions
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgEuBn-GenERk7lKHOx034A
• Other: Please donate to help us continue creating art! – https://gofund.me/33d1d7de
  Merch – https://www.bonfire.com/store/star-of-magnolia-production-company/

Image Credits

Niko Montague