Filmmaker Q&A: Stevie Cavalier Looks Back on the Childhood Experience Which Inspired 'The Piñata'

Filmmaker Stevie Cavalier reflects upon the creative process and the real-life inspiration behind her short film "The Piñata."

Jonathan Nickens: Can you tell us more about the inspiration or backstory for “The Piñata”? Is your film based on any real-life characters or experiences?

Stevie Cavalier: I was looking for inspiration for my Masters of Fine Arts thesis film, and I came across a college application essay I had written about a turning point in my life, involving my 12-year-old birthday party and a piñata. Upon re-reading the essay I had written seven years prior, I immediately saw it as the perfect topic for a short film, so I reimagined my story as fiction. While none of the events or characters are real, the essence of all of the feelings and circumstances were certainly felt by my 12-year-old self.

Jonathan: We know that you made your film while you were a student in film school, but did you face any unique challenges that had to be overcome, being an independent filmmaker, or as a student filmmaker?

Do you feel that any of these challenges are unique to being a filmmaker in south Louisiana?

Stevie: In independent/student filmmaking, it takes a village to make a movie, and that was one of the most wonderful aspects of filming “The Piñata.” I was supported throughout the making of the film by my professors, classmates, family, and friends. It truly was a community effort. My neighbor opened her home to us as base camp, my parents allowed us the run of their house for six days, and my extended family and family friends cooked meals and came to be extras. Our crew and cast were incredibly hard-working and fully engaged in the project. During production meetings leading up to the shoot, we realized it felt a lot like planning a six-day-long birthday party!

One of the biggest challenges was having five minors in the cast, because it meant that we had significantly less time to shoot than other thesis films that could run 12-hour days. But we made our days and were able to wrap the kids on time. Working with the kids was amazing. They were all incredibly hardworking and simultaneously great to be around!

Jonathan: What do you want audiences to take away from “The Pinata”? In other words, what message do you hope is given to viewers after they watch the film?

Stevie: I hope everyone who sees this film will appreciate witnessing the threshold between childhood and adulthood, and just how precious it is. A major turning point in my life, involving my own 12-year-old piñata, was realizing that I didn't want to rush to “grow up,” and that there is no need to toss aside innocence in order to gain maturity. After watching this film, I hope that both adults and kids feel encouraged to live life to the fullest and to grow at their own pace.

Jonathan: If you could give any independent filmmakers one piece of advice, what would it be?

Stevie: Whenever you have a problem that doesn’t appear to have a solution, talk about it. Sometimes we feel like we need to have all the answers, but we don’t. Tell your friends, your mentors, your family mechanic, your barber — just keep talking about what the filming issue might be, and someone will have an answer. Often that answer will likely be far more amazing than you could have imagined.

Jonathan: Any last comments you would like to add?

Stevie: Yes, one thing that has been so special about this film is the independent filmmaker’s and actors it has connected over the span of several years. I am still working with many of the New Orleans filmmakers and actors in the film, and for that I’m truly grateful. Gracie Silva, who plays Mia in the film, and her mother Michelle Silva have been creating short films the past few years under Michelle's production company, Entertainment Goes -- @entertainmentgoes. I've had the pleasure of working alongside them in their endeavors, and this week we are actually shooting their latest short film “The Dead Driver.” Be on the lookout for it!

Also, thank you so much PBS and LPB for this very special opportunity. It truly is an honor. Thank you for the work you have put into sharing this film and other independent films!

Jonathan: How can the public follow your future projects or contact you about your filmmaking? Do you have a website or professional social media they can view your works?

Stevie: [I can be found on] Instagram, my website, and YouTube.