Portrait of a Filmmaker: Dena Hysell-COrnejo

To continue our Women’s History Month Q&A series, I met with Dena Hysell-Cornejo, filmmaker and owner of Rumpus Room Production, Inc.

Hey Dena! Thank you for being part of our Women’s History Month series. Can you tell us a little about yourself? What led you to filmmaking and directing? 

Hi! Thank you so much for asking me to participate! I mean, I'm kind of your classic nerd, but not in a hip, cool way. In an old-school, dorky, I love research, reading, and deep-diving into subjects kind of way. I'm endlessly curious and fascinated by new experiences and places. Writing and directing takes those qualities, and lets me explore them across a variety of subjects, whether it's a project I've originated, or one I'm brought into. Then I get to take that knowledge and impart it to others through crafting compelling stories. Storytelling is truly the way that most people are able to absorb new information and shift their opinions, so it is a powerful way to affect the cultural landscape. 

Talk to me about your most recent film project(s) and how you got involved. 

I'm just finishing up writing and directing a three-part documentary project on gender-based violence issues, specifically Child Marriage, Acid Attacks, and FGM (Female Genital Mutilation). I got involved through a producer whom I've known for quite a while, who knew my passion for change-making. I had directed a documentary feature previously, and my narrative work has always had social justice themes to it, so the opportunity to combine those while working with a mostly female team and focusing on NGOs that are doing deep, boots-on-the-ground hard work was extremely exciting to me. 

What was the most challenging but rewarding aspect of producing this project? 

This was such a wide-ranging project that took us three years to shoot and edit. So, it's been three years of traveling around the world to capture footage, maintain relationships with our subjects, and put the pieces together. But of course, now that we're getting close to delivery, seeing the final pieces that those three years of your creative life have become is absolutely mind-blowing. 

What does your creative process look like? 

It starts with research, research, research! Almost everything I work on deals with a topic that needs to be handled with a nuanced hand, and in order to do that,  you first need to understand the topic from every angle you can find. After that, it's about finding the central compelling story that is able to illustrate those nuances. Then creating the visuals to best express that story. I love working with my cinematographer to create shots that tell the story pieces without words. I always think the best scenes are those you could put on mute and still 100% know what was happening. 

Best piece of advice you have for girls who want to take a leap into filmmaking and creative spaces? 

Just jump! Seriously, too many women get hung up in self-doubt, and the fact is, the world NEEDS more female voices and perspectives. And mine is different from yours, and both of ours are different from the next girl's. And they're all needed. Also, find your people, and hold them close. I have a couple groups of girlfriends that I can text about any creative or business question/success/problem at any time. And they are unabashedly in my corner, as I'm in theirs, and that's so, so important to have. This business is the highest of highs and the lowest of lows, and you need to have a solid support system. 

What are you most proud of in your career? 

I have been consistently writing and directing for 10 years now (with a couple of years of producing prior to that). I know that's not what the odds say is possible, so I'm really proud I've taken my career to the point of that kind of consistency. 

Any directing tips for newbies? 

Everyone is taking their cues off of you. If you create a fun, safe environment for creatives to play, everyone will bust their ass to give you amazing results.