American Golden Picture
International Film Festival
AN INTERVIEW WITH Debbie Kutch, DIRECTOR
As a filmmaker, please introduce yourself.
After receiving my Master’s Degree in Speech Pathology, I established a career working in healthcare
with patients of all ages, assessing and treating speech and language disorders.
Toward the end of that career, I studied at Voicestra San Francisco, the premier voice academy
in Northern California. Subsequently, I built a robust body of work as a voice actor for documentaries,
radio and TV commercials, website videos, corporate narrations, eLearning/training modules and numerous
promotional projects. My client list reflects more than sixty companies ranging in size from small
family businesses to international corporations. In addition to my freelance work, I am represented by Stars,
The Agency located in San Francisco. I am naturally curious and enjoy taking on challenges that
broaden my knowledge and skill set. For example, in my personal life, I am a licensed pilot with both glider and single engine ratings. I’ve flown competitively and hold thirteen national motor glider records.
I expanded my voiceover career into video production work in 2016 when I began producing
educational videos in healthcare. The business expanded to corporations, and since then my work includes
directing, videography, photography, drone footage, on-camera interviews, editing, royalty-free music,
special effects and of course, voiceover narration. I pride myself on clearly understanding my client’s needs,
and I continually strive to deliver more than is expected–both on time and on/under budget.
Why did you become a filmmaker?
Filmmaking appealed to me as a natural and exciting evolution to challenge myself and expand my work
in storytelling. And, I love editing, narrating and adding just the right music to set the emotional tone
for each project. Give some more information about yourself and the films you have made so far, about your
experience. started by producing several educational videos for different departments at our local
teaching hospital, Stanford University Medical Center. My husband Pete became my business partner
as my company, Voices Connect, expanded. One of our most endearing videos is “Living” with PACS1,
Our Stories–a program we produced for researchers working to develop a cure for a rare debilitating
genetic disease. I view film as the best way to share information in a compelling and often passionate
manner…information that informs, entertains, creates impact and changes beliefs and views.
I view film as the best way to share information in a compelling and often passionate manner…information
that informs, entertains, creates impact and changes beliefs and views.
What are the films or people that had impacts on you and deeply
inspired you to become a filmmaker?
My inspiration came from the thousands of patients and family members with whom I worked closely.
I am a healthcare provider at heart, and I love to educate patients and their families to improve
their quality of life. By producing compelling videos, I was able to reach broader audiences,
and accordingly, impact lives on a larger scale.
You have made your short documentary film "The Hero Next Door” which got official selection in the
"American Golden Picture International Film Festival".
As a filmmaker, why did you decide to make it?
I was approached by an acquaintance, John Gordon–an experienced film producer, screenwriter and Army and Air National Guard veteran. He proposed the idea of celebrating our surviving Vietnam veterans
through filmmaking. He reminded me that it has been about fifty years since the withdrawal of
all American forces from Vietnam. Further, he expressed concern that today’s surviving Vietnam Soldiers,
Marines, Airmen and Sailors–only thirty percent of them are still living–were denied
an enthusiastic “Welcome Home!” due to the controversial nature of that war and the related domestic
upheaval. John felt some urgency to tell their stories of rebuilding their lives. In addition to being
my husband and business partner, Pete is a Navy veteran who served in the Vietnam theater. Subsequent
to that, he was a career Army National Guard officer. Not surprising, this was
a project we both embraced enthusiastically.
What were some of the challenges you faced in making it?
Many veterans are reluctant to speak about their combat experiences due to modesty, trauma and/or
a preference for “just moving forward.” Even though our focus was on their return, reintegration,
post-military career and life path, our challenge was to find vets willing to discuss such
things while being recorded.
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Let us hear more about your experience in this film?
Once we recruited and reached agreement with our seven veterans, we completed our overall
script and shooting schedule. We filmed each veteran in a comfortable setting. We needed to draw
out their stories on camera beyond simple statements. These folks were, as the title implies,
neighbors and friends, not performers. For most of them, our questions and prompts yielded
deeper memories and, in many cases, they uncovered troublesome emotions. One of our former Marines,
John Ramirez, shared that he continues to have serious emotional issues that affect many aspects
of his life. As part of his healing process, he told his story by publishing a book.
As compassionate people, the crew and I wanted to stop filming and comfort them.
As a director, the discomfort I saw was important to their stories; war leaves scars for
a lifetime despite all best efforts to heal, reintegrate and move forward. Keep in mind that some of
these men experienced physical wounds in Vietnam as well; they were also uncomfortable
describing their injuries and subsequent recoveries. Former Army Lieutenant John Poggi was
hospitalized for a year after his armored personnel carrier was destroyed by rocket fire.
He nearly lost his legs, and his severe limp is a daily reminder of that horrible day.
What was it like to work with your team?
The team was small but very skilled. John was our producer and driving force. He wrote the compelling script,
recruited the veterans, managed schedules and organized the sets. He also provided significant input on
direction. During post-production, John searched for and acquired stock video and images to complement
the materials provided by our veterans. My husband and business partner Pete, was our lighting and sound
professional, drone pilot and insightful editorial consultant. In post-production, John and I discussed edits,
although I performed the detailed, hands-on editing work. I also selected the music and captured the
drone footage (with County approval). Aside from Pete's fine work with lighting and sound,
I managed all technical aspects to create program drafts and the final product. A cadre of friends helped us
with many logistical challenges. Lastly, I returned to my “showbiz roots” by providing the film’s narration.
For you, what was the biggest lesson you had to learn after making this film?
Creating a documentary of this sort is unlike other forms, because it captures/communicates facts plus
unpolished and sometimes-unexpected emotions. I already mentioned letting the camera roll despite my own
discomfort and instincts, to enable each veteran to reveal his powerful truth. I also learned to let the camera
roll after an interview had ostensibly been finished. When the veterans believed the camera had stopped,
they often seemed more comfortable elaborating, although we were careful to never record
anything they would not approve. These filming techniques were productive; however,
editing these very lengthy interviews with their stream-of-consciousness footage became challenging.
What keeps you inspired to continue filmmaking?
Telling stories in a way that resonates with viewers and creates new insights and viewpoints feels to me
like an honorable endeavor. Additionally, moviemaking is a multi-dimensional puzzle requiring the
selection of captivating topics, script development, participants/cast selection, locations/set selection, lighting,
sound, narration, etc. After all that, the creative art of editing begins; that’s followed by frequent refinements
with hopes of achieving a “three-point [perfect] landing,” to use an aviation metaphor. It is those challenges,
plus the opportunity to work with other capable professionals on stimulating topics, that keep us going.
The most important part is distributing the film. What did you do to distribute your films?
Our producer arranged for The Hero Next Door to be shown multiple times on eight local
San Francisco Bay Area television stations. It has also been shown at many veteran's venues,
and it was shared broadly online. The feedback has been tremendous, but frankly, we need to broaden
our distribution. Your prestigious film festival potentially expands viewership for this program, and it delivers
important recognition for all veterans. We are very thankful for that opportunity.
Our previous works were distributed to topic-related professionals/groups and via my own website at VoicesConnect.com.
What are your filmmaking goals?
Each project stimulates our “creative juices” and motivates us to create something new and exciting.
My personal goal is to continue to challenge myself with each new project. Additionally, we are moving
in the direction of philanthropy. We have produced several pro bono projects, and we just donated
all income from this film to Vietnam Veterans of America.
What is your next project?
Various projects are under consideration. We are actually fairly selective; we only work on projects
where we believe we can feel personally and passionately engaged with the subject matter.
As a small business, we only work one project at a time.
GOOD LUCK Debbie
YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXirFrzA2dk
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61568651932053
Website:
www.VoicesConnect.com
