Kate Saltel
For this issue of Do You Understand?, I spoke with filmmaker Kate Saltel about her latest short film, Headshot. The comedy follows two recent graduates as they try to take the perfect LinkedIn photo, turning a familiar situation into something funny and memorable. I asked Kate about the inspiration behind the film, making comedy, and what’s next for her.
The color palette in your film is so distinct. What inspired those choices?
KS: I wanted HEADSHOT to feel grungry and gross which is why I stuck with greens. The film is set in a really hot summer day, so I wanted the location of Ava and Zoe's apartment to look sweaty, exhausted, and like the physical manifestation of needing to puke when hungover. Ava and Zoe are directionless, post-grads so their space had to be messy, moldy, and hot.
How did you create the look of the sets?
KS: Ava and Zoe's apartment is my old apartment that I decorated! Most of the stuff is mine; I only bought a few things like the graduation decorations. I collect a lot of trinkets and toys so I didn't need to source anything really. My apartment pretty much looks like Ava and Zoe's in the film 24/7. The void is a set my DP Kieran had a connection to, and the LinkedIn HQ is a corner of an LMU classroom I decorated.
What’s your favorite scene and why?
KS: I love the beginning of the film because that sequence was almost entirely improvised and could have been so different if I had chosen different pieces. I want to edit and post an extended cut because Ava and Zoe actually go into several different tangents that are so so so funny. For instance, the film was supposed to have a whole bit dedicated to the slime Zoe plays with, but in the final version it's not even mentioned. I bet you didn't even notice Zoe plays with some gross pink slime the entire time
Did you always want this film to be funny?
KS: Yes! I think it certainly became more funny when we got to set because Ava and Zoe improvised so much.
What’s next for you?
KS: I just released my senior thesis CANADA DAY, which is a dramedy. Next im writing some features and hope to put together a mini series of sorts? Still figuring it out!
I am so grateful to Kate Saltel for taking the time to speak with Do You Understand? and share more about Headshot. It was great to learn more about the ideas behind the film and her creative process. I can’t wait to see what she makes next.
