This week we're talking with one of Austin's favorite directing daughters, Kat Candler.  Anyone who's spent more than 5 minutes in Austin, and pays any attention to the film community here knows Kat is one of the best and brightest stars of the film scene.  Let's get to know her a little better, shall we?

1.  What was your introduction to filmmaking/producing?  When did you realize
this was what you wanted to do as a career?

I worked in a movie theater from age 15 up until my junior year of college. I grew up in a movie theater. I still consider movie theaters my second home. It wasn't until college that I realized I could make movies. I got roped in to working on some of the FSU film school kids films because we worked at the movie theater together. Being on set and watching the process-- I fell in love. 

2.  Tell us briefly about some of your most recent projects, and what are you
working on now?

Even though I started out writing and directing shorts and features, I've spent the last few years mostly writing. It's cheaper and you don't need an army to be productive. I've optioned two scripts, a family comedy  The Spider in the Bathtub that I cowrote with Chris Mass (Chalk) to LAF Studios to be produced by Victoria Fredrick and Terrence Howard ... and a teen thriller called Love Me to Bill O'Dowd and his company Dolphin Entertainment. They used to finance and produced all of the Nickelodeon TV movies. Hopefully one or both of those projects will be in production in 2011. We shall see. The last short film that I made Love Bug has been on the festival circuit for about a year now and continues to play children and comedy festivals. I'm hoping to make another short this fall. And I'm writing something that may or may not be the next feature I direct.  

3.  How would you describe your directing style?  Does your style change
depending on the film, or do you strive for a particular consistency in how you
approach the work?

I guess my style is just trying to find rock star actors and crew. And make sure everyone understands the vision. Everyone's on the same page. Give the actors room to work and take risks. That goes for everyone. 

4.  Is there a piece of advice you could give to a young filmmaker?  Something
you wish somebody would have told you when you were starting out?

Don't wait for permission.

5.  What's the last great movie you saw?

I just saw This is England. I freakin' loved it. Left me feeling awful and hopeful at the same time. Some of the best performances I've seen in a long while. I also recently watched Ladies and Gentleman The Fabulous Stains. It's an uneven film, but Diane Lane and Ray Winstone's characters-- I can't stop thinking about them.