This week, join us as we honor Kinga Suto: a director who knows the funnies and is on the rise toward becoming one of comedy’s most badass Boss Ladies.
Be sure to follow her on Twitter, Facebook (Here and Here), her Official Site, and the official site of her project, The D-Monster!
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When did you know you wanted to be a director?
Growing up with foreign parents I felt the need at a young age to express myself through story – so people would understand what I was going through. I’ve been writing about my quirky point of view and awkward experiences since I could remember. The directing bug started while I was at NYU TISCH, being exposed to so many different genres and classic films really inspired me, especially the screwball comedies of the 1930’s and 1940’s like “Bringing Up Baby”, and “His Girl Friday.” I’d never seen sassy fast talking woman like that in present day films. I knew then that I wanted to make films that embodied the essence of strong smart women who aren’t afraid to say what they think and challenge the status quo. I think it’s something I captured in my film, “The D-Monster”, with Claire Feinstein. It’s something I’m very proud of.
When did you know you were in love with cupcakes?
At age 6 my pediatrician diagnosed me with early-onset cupcakeheimer’s disease. I’d eat a red velvet cupcake and then eat another and another, totally forgetting that I’d eaten the one before. My case is uncurable.
Why direct comedy? How is it different from directing other genres of film?
Having a background in improv and stand-up I can say performing comedy has its perks, but being in the back of a theater and having talented actors deliver your jokes and getting laughs is truly a fulfilling thing. Directing comedy is much harder than other genres, because comedy doesn’t necessarily read on film. You really have to work on the timing in the editing room to capture your jokes and tone. It’s like you direct twice, once on set and again in the editing room.
If Chuck Norris were to corner you in an alley and challenge you to a duel, what would be your weapon of choice?
A kitten. No one can resist a kitten, not even Chuck Norris. Plus they have really sharp nails.
Do you have a comedy director you look up to? Why?
John Hughes was a comedic genius. I love his balance of humor and heart. His films, like “Pretty In Pink” and “Breakfast Club,” were so clever; he took the experiences we all had growing up and made meaning out of it all. I love that so many people could relate to his films. Penny Marshall is my other favorite. Her films have a poignancy that I aspire to have in my films.
What’s the no. 1 lesson you’ve learned so far about directing?
Be willing to allow for unforeseen accidents during the filmmaking process, those will be your most treasured moments in the film.
As a woman, do you note any differences in how you work with your cast and crew versus how a male director does?
No. I really think every person directs in their own style regardless of being a woman or a man. Most women who direct tend to be a bit more ballsey than the average girl so I think the prototype for a director is less a gender thing than a personality type. You are leading an entire crew of people into battle – you better have some balls! Mine are pink and glittery 😉
In a dream gig, which comedy actress/comedienne would you love to direct?
I’d love to work with Tina Fey. She’s made it super cool for a woman to be a “be all” in comedy. She’s an amazing actor and comedic writer.
Which character do you most resemble from “The Divas”?
I think there’s a little bit of each of the girls in me, Frida Killho’s die hard passion for her unsupported opinions, Lucille Ballbuster’s naïve optimism and Betty Krueger’s nice balance of saccharin sweet bi-polar bitchiness. It warms my heart to be a girl!
When you’re not directing comedy, you’re…
Writing and putting my work up in front of an audience: stand-up, web shorts and sketch @ www.kingacomedy.com. I also love to be out in comedy clubs watching other comics put their work up, it’s inspiring. OK, I’m a little addicted to comedy, but there’s no rehab group for it yet…
What’s your favorite comedy movie or T.V. show of all time?
Fav comedy movie — Ferris Bueller’s Day Off and fav T.V. show of all time has to be The Muppet Show. I walked down the isle to “Rainbow Connection”. I’m kind of in love with Kermit the Frog. Watch out Miss Piggy…
What’s on the horizon for you? Any upcoming projects you’d like to share with us?
The projects I have in development are in their early stages so I’m not allowed to talk specifics, only that there’s a zombie horror comedy on the horizon and a dark drama based on a true story much in the vein of Monster as well. The new stand-up show I’m working on, 30 and Pregnant, will also be written as a feature vehicle for me to direct.
Title of your autobiography?
Failing Upwards: a how to guide.
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And an excerpt from that biography:
Originally from Princeton, NJ, Kinga trained as a classical ballet dancer and theater actor at Princeton Ballet Theater, Atlantic Theater Workshop and New York University Tisch School of the Arts. After obtaining a B.A. in Cinema from San Francisco State University Kinga moved to Hollywood and became V.P. of Development for Penny Marshall’s (A League of Their Own) company Parkway Productions, overseeing multiple feature films such as: Cinderella Man, Bewitched, and The Harlem Globetrotters Story. Kinga moved on to train at the Groundlings, Improv Olympic and Upright Citizen’s Brigade. In 2006, she co-wrote and performed a two person sketch show, “I’m Just Not That Into Me.” The infamous sketches, addressing a myriad of taboo social issues, earned Kinga an invitation to perform the show at The UCB Sketch Fest, NYC. Kinga’s 2010 award winning AFI DWW film, The D-Monster, starring Catherine Reitman (Post Grad) is based on her twenty-two character one person show about her years as a Hollywood development executive. The success of the film has led to development deals with seasoned producers in both television and feature films based on Kinga’s original comedy.
The The D-Monster Trailer:
