By Daryl Bright Clay
Sydney Giacomazzi is a writer and producer re-cultivating her Idaho roots in Brooklyn, NY. Her pilot script, Hidden Springs placed 2nd at the 2022 Shore Scripts Pilot Competition. It was also featured on Coverfly’s RedList, landing in the top 20 and top 1% for all TV half-hour pilots. Starved, her debut as a director, was nominated for “Best Original Story” at Cannes Shorts and won “Best Experimental Film” at the New York Short Film Festival.
When she’s not writing, Sydney spends her time worrying about how she’s not writing. She calms her angst by people watching over a plate of diner pancakes.
Get to know her in our latest interview!
What inspired you to pursue a career in producing and writing, and how did your early experiences shape your storytelling approach?
As a kid, I would sneakily watch sitcoms from the top of the stairs, long after I was supposed to be in bed. Soon enough, my evenings of Scooby Doo turned into Three’s Company reruns, late night talk shows and the holy grail itself on Saturday nights. A TV nerd too, my dad would tell me all about production magic. “Did you know that ice cream is actually mashed potatoes? That way it won’t melt!” I was enthralled.
You mention enjoying mornings with a cappuccino and croissant while working on scripts. Can you describe your creative process and how you cultivate inspiration during those early hours?
I love dawn. A favorite quote of mine is from the show Modern Love: “Dawn is for bakers and lovers.” I’d add “and writers.” Most of the world is still sleeping, so I can hit pause on reality and live in my script for a bit. Before I punch on any keys, I vividly daydream by watching the scene in my head. I encourage everyone to start their morning daydreaming with a buttery croissant in hand!
Your pilot Hidden Springs received notable recognition, including placing second at the 2022 Shore Scripts Pilot Competition. What was the creative process behind that project, and what do you think contributed to its success?
Like most ideas, it was originally nothing special. I wrote a version of it that was Boring (capital B intended). After bouncing the premise around again, my NYU professor at the time, Dee La Duke, gave me a note that I instinctively wanted to reject…“The stakes aren’t high enough for this story to matter.” Addressing this note would mean the entire story, plot and main character would need a rewrite. It proved to be a note that made the script as successful as it’s been. And, it gave me a great lesson in letting go of old drafts in service of a better version.
How do you balance comedy and drama in your storytelling, and what do you think makes this blend particularly impactful?
I write with the idea that humor is the result of drama. Not its opposite, but rather its regenerative form. Still, a comedy needs to have laughs on every page. I’m looking at you, The Bear.
Can you share the story behind your debut film Starved and what it felt like to receive nominations and awards at film festivals?
It seems off base that a self-proclaimed comedy writer would have a dramatic, experiential debut film right? I felt inspired by this idea of a one shot, stage play-esque short to cathartically express the imagined struggle of an addict, after learning a loved one was addicted to opioids. Starved is the fly-on-the-wall (well, fish-in-the-tank) perspective of a high, the inevitable withdrawal and the impact it has on an addict’s livelihood.
It was gratifying to receive nominations and awards at festivals for a piece of work that not only related to a poignant time in my personal life, but was also the product of talented filmmakers working in a small room, on an even smaller budget. Special thanks is always due to David St. John (Production Designer) and Justin Lee (Director of Photography) for their genius and time.
As a bonus parent and a partner to a touring musician, how do your personal experiences inform your writing and producing?
Kids truly say the darnedest things. I hear the most creative thinking from my second grader at 7am on the way to school. I’ll owe her a writing credit some day.
Following my partner’s career has been a master class in the music industry. I’ve based at least a handful of characters on some fascinating people he has met while touring across the country. Real stories and real people make the best stories and people.
What brought you to NYWIFT?
NYWIFT has been mentioned since the start of my NYC career as a vital resource to women filmmakers. I’m looking forward to continuing to connect with other members and I’m hopeful to collaborate with the talent in this community.
What do you hope audiences take away from your films, especially regarding the themes of humor and resilience?
Humor is the resiliency to life’s darkness. Comedy and drama are intrinsic to one another. I want audiences to see that absurd duality of real life in my scripts and films.
Connect with Sydney Giacomazzi on Instagram and Twitter at @SydneyGiac, or via her website: https://www.sydneygiacomazzi.com/
(All images courtesy of Sydney Giacomazzi)
Daryl Bright Clay
Daryl Bright Clay (She/Her) is a multidisciplinary artist: a producer, writer, and performing artist. Yes, she actually does wear multiple hats (or hairstyles) depending on the vibes. Hailing from the DC Metropolitan Area has helped contribute to her love of cultural storytelling mixed with a dash of wit and a lot of heart.
As a founding member of CNT Productions, she has helped write, produce, and star in CNT Production's sketch comedy series NOT YOUR TYPE , their live interactive show, THE SEX SCENE, and their choreopoem series OPEN, which has been featured in AFROPUNK, DEADLINE, and Gloria Steinem’s Ms. Magazine. With CNT partner, Ariel Zucker, she co-wrote a pilot called, GYNO, which was accepted to Gotham’s 2022 TV Film Lab & Project Market.
Daryl was the production associate on APPLE TV+’s The Supermodels. She was also the showrunner’s assistant to Branden Jacobs Jenkins, who adapted Octavia Butler’s Kindred for FX/HULU. Her contributions have been recognized by HBO, the American Black Film Festival, AT&T’s Awards for New Forms of Storytelling, and Sundance’s Horizon Awards. Much of Daryl’s work is rooted in encouraging self-love, acknowledging self-hate, and finding connection in the paradox of it all. Upcoming projects include the Sundance official selection, GOODNIGHT, starring Dagmara Dominczyk (HBO’s Succession), and GET LOST directed by Victoria Pedretti (Netflix’s You).Currently based in Brooklyn, Daryl is a graduate of Duke Ellington School of the Arts and Carnegie Mellon’s School of Drama. She is represented by Stalwart Talent Management.
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