Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Cody Ottinger. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Cody, thanks for joining us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?
The most meaningful project I’ve worked on so far would have to be a film I wrote & directed called “Jealousy.” The film, which centers around a group of twenty-somethings, that all live at the same apartment complex, explores the various ways Jealousy can plague a relationship, even to go as far as leading to murder. The film is meaningful to me due to the fact that it was the first official feature film I had ever made, but also due to the amazing & talented people I met, who I’ve since worked with multiple times. When I first wrote the script I was inspired by the fact that I had just moved to a new city and was getting to know a group of friends and I felt a little like a fish out of water, but also was observing how they all, as couples, acted and I started to pickup on the jealousy component. The lead character in the film “Paige,” played by Jessica Claire Crosby, is almost from my own personal point of view. Now obviously the film is dramatized as there is a murder mystery element, but I wanted to explore how these three separate couples could experience different forms of Jealousy and how at what point does it go too far. The filming of Jealousy was completed back in 2022, but is still in its final editing stages, we’re hoping for it to be released as soon as possible. I really do believe it’s some of my best work to date.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I am a writer, director, actor and producer living near Nashville, TN and I’ve been filmmaking since I was about eleven years old. I got into filmmaking by nature, it was something I fell in love with at a young age and I was just gravitationally pulled towards it. I’ve always been the most fascinated by the horror genre, because of the thrill one gets when watching it, but also the psychology of it all. It’s very interesting to me how your body and mind reacts when watching a horror film and I’ve always wanted to recreate that. As I’ve gotten older, the actual intellectual side of horror has become more intriguing to me and I’ve worked hard to study other films and find what are they actually trying to say. Are there fun campy horror films with just gore and no real plot – of course, and these are fun to watch as well, but to me if you can walk away from a horror film and it sparks a real life conversation, I think that is something very interesting. I’ve made it my mission to always challenge myself in my writing, to always be sure I am actually saying something and not just doing something for the sake of doing it. My production company “Ottinger Productions” was established in 2007 when I was a young kid with just a camera filming my friends and not really having any sort of structure – over the last decade that has evolved and it’s now my mission, that with every film I make, I am perfecting my craft and making films that leave the viewer excited to come back for the next one, but also allow them to face something they may not ordinarily get to in every day life. I want people to walk away feeling like they really saw something that made them think.
In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?
I think the best thing that others can do to help support creatives is to share their content. Even if you don’t think it will help, it really does. Share their posts, share their projects – if they post a crowdfunding campaign, donate a dollar if you can, any little bit helps in a big way. Think of it this way, you’re absolutely willing to share a post from your favorite celebrity or spend money on their products/merch, why not do the same for someone you actually know who will personally show their appreciation. Knowing your efforts are going to someone who is trying to make it.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
One of the main goals I have in life and with my creative journey, is owning and operation my very own production studio. I want to one day own my very own facility that will house various types of sets, have it’s own sound stages and backlot and be a cheaper alternative for creatives starting out. Of course I will use it for my own projects as well, but I’d love to have it be a place where those who are just starting out, can come and get creative and not feel like they’re spending all they have to use it. I hope to build it in my hometown and provide good job opportunities in the community where I grew up. Then I wish to have multiple shows and films going a year – I look up to Ryan Murphy (Glee, American Horror Story) and to see how many things he juggles at once is so impressive and I want to be doing that.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: OttingerProductions
- Youtube: https://Youtube.com/codysstory247
Image Credits
Cody Ottinger