Alum Spotlight: HAROULA ROSE

Multi-talented and hard working, Haroula Rose (Oct ‘16) is a filmmaker and musician from Chicago who is now based in LA.  Among other things, she is currently shooting a documentary and developing her second fiction feature film as writer and director.  Her debut ONCE UPON A RIVER, was called “one of the most anticipated films of 2019” by FILMMAKER, winning 14 awards at 25 festivals thus far.  Her pilot LOST & FOUND had its world premiere at Tribeca, was mentioned by the New York Times as not to be missed, and won the Audience Award in Bentonville.

SWC: I’d love it if you could go back in time and tell us about what you were doing before applying to SWC’s October Colony.

Before SWC I was touring a lot with my music, and in terms of film I had several short films and a half hour pilot I wrote and directed.  I wanted to make this feature but needed the focused effort to get the script to a place where I could then share it with cast and producers.  SWC helped me with getting it to that next level.

SWC: How so? How did the program help you do what you wanted to do?

SWC was a dream because it was both very practical and focused energy and time, but also in this dreamlike place that allowed for freedom as well.  I ended up with two scripts, one that I had been working on and then ended up shooting a few months thereafter, and another that I am working on getting into prep now.  I felt the way SWC Is structured is really perfect, an ideal amount of time and support as well as freedom.  It left a great impression on me for what a colony can provide, and most importantly a community that I trust and with whom I can stay connected.

SWC: Can you tell me about the period of time after the Colony wrapped?

I felt a kind of inner confidence after sharing my work at SWC and getting notes, support, feedback, everything.  But I also felt that it helped propel me to the next level in terms of getting my film made for this same reason.  I still feel very inspired by the other writers and mentors, and feel very grateful for the experience.

SWC: What’s going on most recently?

This past year I have been travelling to festivals around the world with ONCE UPON A RIVER, where we have been fortunate to pick up 14 award thus far from reservations in the southwest all the way to Palermo, Italy.  It has been a dream to see this story resonate with so many people.  I also directed a few short films including AS THEY SLEPT, DIANA'S ELECTRIC TONGUE, and OUR HOUSE OF GLASS which is a mini documentary explaining a longer term project.  At work writing a couple of feature scripts, one for television, and in development on a feature with a writer named Joey Clark Jr. that my manager sent my way and I am very excited that I have been able to start scouting for this one.