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Meet Shalyn Delhaes

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Meet Shalyn Delhaes

April 25, 2024
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We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Shalyn Delhaes a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Shalyn, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.
The biggest risk I ever took was at 18, just after graduating high school in Germany. It was a pivotal moment when my dad received a job offer in the U.S., presenting me with a daunting decision: to leave my home country behind and venture into the unknown. Despite the prospect of saying goodbye to friends and family, I saw this as my opportunity to pursue my dream of filmmaking in a land of greater opportunities. With a heart full of uncertainty but determination, I embarked on this journey to Ohio with my parents, knowing that America offered a fertile ground for my aspirations. Upon arrival, I found myself navigating through a maze of unfamiliar customs and a language not native to me. It was a daunting leap, thrusting me into an entirely new life filled with new faces and uncharted territories. But it was also a transformative experience, one that taught me to adapt swiftly to new surroundings and embrace change with open arms. Despite the risks, I took the plunge, applying to film schools across the country, determined to turn my passion into reality. And in doing so, I discovered a strength within myself that I never knew existed. This risk was undeniably worth it, propelling me closer to my passion and broadening my horizons beyond measure. Today, as I look back, I am grateful for the courage that propelled me forward and the opportunities that awaited on the other side of fear.

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’m a 23-year-old native of Mettmann, Germany, currently residing in Los Angeles, where I’m chasing my dream of becoming a filmmaker and producer in the heart of Hollywood.
My journey began early on; even in kindergarten, I showed a penchant for storytelling, with my parents transcribing my tales as I dictated. By the age of 8, I had entered my first writing competition. Several years later, I collaborated with Gina Dzuwuare to publish a book of poetry and prose. During my school years, I developed a love for photography, particularly with vintage film cameras, and discovered film as a medium to merge my writing with visual storytelling. At 18, I took on the role of director for my high school graduation film.
Following my graduation from Heinrich-Heine-Gymnasium, I temporarily moved with my parents to Ohio due to my father’s job, before enrolling in a Film & TV program at Columbia College Chicago. In my first semester, I immersed myself in the world of film production, working as a Production Assistant on student projects. I also landed an internship as a “Research & Development Intern” on a documentary titled “The Stolen Children,” which delved into the adoption scandal in Cambodia. Within a year, I was promoted to Cinematographer, which allowed me to accompany the documentary team to Cambodia. The project gained significant media attention already, with features in ‘VICE World News,’ ‘Film Independent,’ ‘Daily Mail,’ and ‘The Sun.’ The team even produced a promo reel with the support of Christopher Gill & Alyse Walsh (Alyse is an Emmy Award-nominated documentary filmmaker, renowned for her work on the Apple TV show “Home” in collaboration with A24, as well as her contributions to Netflix).
My freshman year concluded with my first independent short film, “Sunflower,” for which I wrote the script, co-directed, and produced. Shortly after, I collaborated with my roommate on “Boysenberry Night,” another independent short film where we co-directed and acted as co-producers, solidifying my passion for producing.
During my third year at university, I dedicated myself to the production of three student films: “NUCLEAR,” “RATZ,” and “Favorite Things.” As the producer, each project presented its unique set of challenges. For “Favorite Things,” I finally fulfilled my desire to shoot on an old film camera, particularly on 16mm. “NUCLEAR,” set in the 1950s, demanded meticulous attention to costume and set dressing to achieve authenticity. The film premiered in February 2024 as part of the Golden State Film Festival at the TCL Chinese Theater, a venue renowned for showcasing blockbuster films. “RATZ” combined live-action scenes with animation and stop-motion, exposing me to new creative territories. This fascination with animation prompted me to commence work on my own animated film, which is set to be released in 2024. Set amidst Germany’s refugee crisis of 2015, this short film chronicles the unlikely friendship that blossoms between a German girl and a Syrian girl when they meet on a bus. Inspired by my personal encounters during my time living in Germany, where I taught German to refugee children, the film captures the essence of connection and empathy transcending borders.
In September 2023, as part of the “Semester in LA” program, I relocated to Los Angeles, undertaking courses at Sunset Las Palmas Studios while completing a Development internship at Walden Media on the Fox Studio Lot. Walden Media is known for producing films such as “Narnia,” “Bridge to Terabithia,” and “Wonder” starring Julia Roberts.
In December, I graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Film & TV from Columbia College Chicago, six months ahead of schedule. In early 2024, I established connections with students from the American Film Institute (AFI) and became involved in three student projects, serving as a Line Producer for “Hideaway,” Production Manager for “Dandelion,” and Distribution Producer for “The Chop.” “Dandelion” is positioned as a ‘proof of concept’ for a feature film, slated for submission to Sundance at the year’s end under the guidance of a mentor with ties to the prestigious Sundance Film Festival.
Additionally, I opted for another internship, this time at ATB Talent Agency, which represents clients such as M.C. Gainey, renowned for roles in “Lost” and “Con Air.” Outside of my commitments, I pursue my passion as a concert photographer and writer for the online magazine “Off The Record Press.” Among my notable achievements are my pictures of Noah Cyrus, Fletcher, and Rise Against, along with my article covering the Taylor Swift Eras Tour in Chicago.
Despite my busy schedule, I enjoy occasional downtime at the local German restaurant “Wirtshaus” in LA, although the currywurst doesn’t quite compare to the taste of home.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

As a filmmaker, the journey is often riddled with unforeseen challenges and obstacles that test both creativity and resilience. One such instance stands out vividly in my memory during the production of my independent film “Boysenberry Night,” a project I co-wrote, co-directed, and co-produced.

The night before our eagerly anticipated first day of shooting, our carefully laid plans were thrown into disarray when our sound guy unexpectedly pulled out from the project via an 11 PM email. Compounding the issue was the fact that he was also our sole source of sound equipment, having agreed to provide his own gear for the shoot. In a frantic scramble, my partner and I found ourselves facing a critical decision-making moment. With no time to spare, we reached out to every contact we had, desperately seeking a replacement sound technician and equipment. Through sheer determination and the power of our network, we miraculously secured the necessary equipment that very night, hastily arranging contracts and logistical details in a race against the impending shoot.

However, the trials didn’t end there. On the third day of filming, amidst the chaos of our lunch break, news of a looming tornado warning sent shockwaves through our production team. Faced with the daunting task of prioritizing the safety of our crew against the pressing demands of our tight schedule and minuscule budget, we found ourselves at a crossroads. Ultimately, we made the difficult yet unequivocal decision to prioritize the well-being of our team, opting to send everyone home safely via Uber rides.

Yet, this decision came with its own set of consequences. With half a day lost, we were forced to hastily reconfigure our shooting schedule for the remaining day, meticulously orchestrating every detail to ensure we captured the essential footage while avoiding overburdening our already exhausted crew. It was a lesson in adaptability, teamwork, and above all, problem-solving under pressure.

Through these trials, I learned invaluable lessons about the importance of swift decision-making, effective collaboration with department heads, and the indispensable art of creative problem-solving. Each hurdle became an opportunity for growth, shaping not only the trajectory of our production but also honing my skills as a filmmaker. In the end, “Boysenberry Night” emerged as a testament to our resilience and unwavering dedication to our craft, proving that even in the face of adversity, the indomitable spirit of filmmaking perseveres.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

As a queer filmmaker, my focus lies in crafting narratives that illuminate the experiences of the LGBTQ+ community. My journey into this passion began with the production of my independent short film “Boysenberry Night.” This project was pivotal in revealing my dedication to amplifying the voices of underrepresented groups on screen.

The story deals with a High School play of Romeo and Juliet, but both characters experience gender dysphoria and secretly wish to play each other’s roles. The story is rooted my co-writers/directors/producers personal experience as a gender-questioning artist, along with my passion for sharing this perspective that is rarely seen in mainstream media. We’re both members of the queer community and have the desire to reach out to others feeling similar emotions and to promote freedom of expression. We believe that our queerness offers us a unique perspective that leads to the creation of beautiful, and essentially queer filmmaking. We feel this generation of filmmakers can create change for a more accepting and liberated world through abandoning harmful labels and welcoming the ambiguity of sexuality, gender, and queer identity. This is a story we needed growing up and we want to reach out with open arms to help others who have felt silenced.

When starting the project, we were unsure if people would understand or relate to the characters and the story. Come time for casting we asked those auditioning to share whether or not they identified with the roles and any experience they felt comfortable enough to share. We made connections with so many actors that expressed how they felt seen and understood when reading the script. They emphasized its ability to evoke those complex emotions of dysphoria and struggle to explain how you are feeling to the ones you love. People cried during the auditions, they thanked us for writing something that they had never seen in the media before, and this connection we all felt meant more to all of us than the film itself.

It wasn’t until that moment that we fully realized how important representation is, how important it is to tell your story even if you fear being misunderstood because it is likely that someone out there needs to hear it.

In my latest endeavor, “Dandelion,” a production supported by the American Film Institute (AFI), the narrative unfolds in the midst of the gay rights movement of the 1970s when multiple advocacy groups began popping up in cities all across the country. One, “Youth Advocates” in Seattle, was set up to quietly match queer foster kids with openly gay adults in the area using government funds. The film follows Margaret, a queer teenager who needs a new home and undergoes this process.

 

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