We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Debra Pralle a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Debra, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?
Back in 2018, I had a short list of risky, fun, crazy stuff I wanted to do before turning 50 that year. I had been dreaming, dancing around directing my first short film. The script was ready, producers excited to work with me, just had to commit.
So I did! And that year I completed my comedy, Period which centers around a young gal in the 1980’s who gets her period. Or at least she thinks so. She’s excited but then realizes that she has scant information, a male best buddy who is terrified, and a single dad who tries his best but struggles as well.
We had a nice festival run but I found it somewhat discouraging that more female focused festivals passed. So in December of 2020 I started a YouTube channel and posted it.
Since then? We’ve had almost 10 million views! It’s created a community of women (and guys!) who share their stories of getting their period (the good, the bad, the hilarious!) and support each other as we navigate this thing called menstruation.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I spent my formative years in Enid, Oklahoma. While not an epicenter of culture, I was surrounded by artistic opportunities: band, community theatre, church (theatre + dollop of guilt) that all left an indelible mark.
My parents were supportive, loving, funny as hell. Kinda like living with Roseanne Barr and George Burns, minus the cigars and conspiracy theories. My dad, never a professional writer, worked out comedy routines for church functions with me as his reader and my mom gave me my first Lily Tomlin record. An actor was born. Then a director. A writer. And finally, a producer.
Open Window Entertainment was born to support my first short film which I wrote and directed. Since it’s debut on YouTube in 2020, it’s built an online community of young women and families to connect over a topic that affects half the population. How cool is that?
Since then, I’ve directed three other short films, three fundraising videos for local high school drama departments, and a TV pilot called A Broad Abroad which we shot in Italy in 2022. I’ve also leveled up my writing, completing a feature comedy called No Demerits for Dancing and the TV pilot, Blue Oasis which I will be producing and directing in Spring of 2025.
I’ve had the great fortune to build a broad career in the dramatic arts and I really do believe that film is not only entertaining but a powerful tool for bringing about awareness and social change. In particular, we lift up and amplify the stories of WOMEN.
With 30 years of experience in film and television and a wide network of talent, creators, and production crew from the Pacific Northwest, I just want to create compelling content with a focus on genuine characters with meaningful stories.
Let’s connect!
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
You do not have to wait to create.
Growing up as a young person in the 1970’s and 80’s there weren’t a heck of a lot of female film directors. While some were making headway in television and producing, the stats were alarmingly low.
I’ve always loved running stuff, having a project, working it, and seeing it come to fruition. So rewarding!
By the time I got out of graduate school, I knew how to tell a story. But as a young female actor, more often than not, while on set or on stage, I was surrounded by men. I got the feeling there wasn’t much space for women to lead.
I was intimidated. How could I possibly learn how to do ALL THE THINGS on a film set? And if I didn’t know how to DO ALL THE THINGS, I couldn’t direct, right?
WRONG. Leading isn’t about knowing the ins and outs of every single thing on a set. Leading is about learning as much as you can, having a story to tell, and surrounding yourself with the best people to create something magical.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
Now, more than ever I’m driven to lift up the stories of women and girls. To mentor and support and make sure that the next wave of female film makers and crew members and writers have all the resources they need to create their art. I know the majority of this country loves us and believes we are equals, there are strong forces working daily to strip away our rights, opportunities, voices.
I’m looking to surround myself with fellow artists and supporters of the arts to shine a light on the ladies!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.openwindowentertainment.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/debra.pralle/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/debra.pralle
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/debra-pralle-91b51822/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@dpralle
Image Credits
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