Women Behind the Scenes Spotlight: Michelle Boyaner

Today’s Women Behind the Scenes spotlight is shone on writer, producer and director Michelle Boyaner, who is part of the talented team behind the moving documentary “Packed in a Trunk: The Lost Art of Edith Lake Wilkinson” that will debut tonight (July 20) on HBO at 9/8c.

In an exclusive interview with NiceGirls TV, Michelle shared details about how she got to where she is within the entertainment industry and so much more.

NiceGirlsTV: Can you talk a little about your background? Where you grew up, went to school, etc.

Michelle: I grew up in a big family in Huntington Beach, California. Due to a series of unfortunate events (and the fact that I still haven’t had enough therapy to casually discuss most of those events outside of camouflaging them in my fictional writing) I went directly from high school into the working world. I joked/worked my way through a few jobs in the fashion industry-surf/skate/action sports, as well as having my own accessory company, all the while writing in my free time.

NiceGirlsTV: How did you get started in the industry?

Michelle: After years of writing and more writing, I finally came to a point where it felt like a total ‘now or never’ moment: Either start making my own films and telling the stories I wanted to tell or shut the hell up and be happy in the fashion industry. I chose to jump (Thelma & Louise-style) and formed Greenie Films with my partner, Cinematographer/Editor Barbara Green. Thanks to the generous support from talented and resourceful friends, we made our first few films and they were enthusiastically received. We make non-fiction (documentary) as well as fiction (narrative) films.

NiceGirlsTV: Who is your biggest influence?

Michelle: I’m inspired by all the hard working independent filmmakers and storytellers who are out there finding their voices, finding the funding, making films and putting their work out into the world. I give a standing ovation, slow-clap to all my fellow filmmakers and love the camaraderie of being at a film festival, watching each other’s films, cheering each other on, knowing that we’re all working to help shed light on important stories or issues and that we can make a difference.

NiceGirlsTV: Can you share a little about writing your book “Oh, for God’s Sake Whisper It”?

Michelle: “Oh, For God’s Sake Whisper It” is a series of essays written about my Grandmother Rae’s battle with Alzheimer’s. The pieces were written after my weekly visits with her as a way to help process the grief of losing someone I loved so much while she was still sitting right in front of me.

NiceGirlsTV: With the documentary “Packed in a Trunk” set to air tonight on HBO, do you have a new project in the works or anything specific coming up that you can talk about?

Michelle: We’re in pre-production on a new feature-length documentary called “It’s Not A Burden: The Humor and Heartache of Raising Elderly Parents”. The film will profile several families (including mine) who are currently in the thick of helping their parents navigate growing older and all the challenging, humorous and heartbreaking situations that presents. We’re also in development on a web series based on growing up in the 1970’s in a dysfunctional suburban neighborhood called “Serenade Lane”.

NiceGirlsTV: Is there a dream project that you would like to work on?

Michelle: “Packed in a Trunk” truly was a dream project. We worked with two dear friends for over two and a half years, with the goal of righting a wrong and finding redemption for a beloved, forgotten artist. We’ve been able to do that, and I’d say it doesn’t get much dreamier than that. Additionally, my dream project would be to just be able to continue telling important stories and have the funding to be able to tell them.

NiceGirlsTV: Does all of Edith’s work now have a home in the gallery that was featured at the end of the documentary?

Michelle: The art exhibition at the end of the film takes place at PAAM (Provincetown Art Association & Museum) which just celebrated its 100th Anniversary. We know that Edith was one of the very early members of that association in the early 1900’s, so that’s why we were thrilled when they acknowledged her place in Provincetown art history and included her as part of that big 100th Anniversary exhibit. Jane and Tess have donated two pieces that are with the Museum now, but all of Edith’s remaining pieces (that we know of) are with Jane and other family members (several of which appear in the film). We hope that after the film airs on HBO we will hear from people who might discover that they own an Edith Lake Wilkinson piece that was handed down through their family or purchased at an antique store, etc. Our collective fingers are crossed that more of Edith’s incredible work will be found.

NiceGirlsTV: Where can people follow you on Twitter, Facebook and social media in general?

Michelle: We’ll be keeping people updated on the film via Twitter @PackedInATrunk as well as via Facebook and at the film’s official website.

You can also find Michelle on twitter, tweeting, re-tweeting and hashtaging as @michelleboyaner‬.

Make sure to watch the touching documentary “Packed in a Trunk: The Lost Art of Edith Lake Wilkinson” at 9/8c tonight on HBO.