Interview with Student FilmMaker Sadie Grey Murphy

Every filmmaker starts somewhere! For student filmmakers, that "somewhere" is often a borrowed camera, a few willing friends, and a big dream. The process can be messy and unpredictable, but it’s also filled with moments of magic. I interviewed a student filmmaker named Sadie Grey Murphy. Whose had two films “Non Fiction” and “The Audition” featured in the 2024 and 2025 Norwalk Film Festivals! Sadie is currently at NYU studying filmmaking! In this interview Sadie reflects on the highs and the lows of being a student filmmaker.

Sadie worked on a film this past spring called “Napalm Dreams”. It’s a feature length (80 minutes) Vietnam war film. Saide helped write, shoot, and edit over the span of a few weeks with two high school friends in New York City. You can check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SHdBXnrKgT0&authuser=0

Here is the interview with Sadie:

Alexis: What has been the biggest obstacle you’ve faced while making films as a student?

Sadie: The biggest obstacle I’ve faced while making films as a student is in my attempt to create big things on a really small level, either by myself or with a tiny crew of fellow student filmmakers, requiring everyone to take on a lot more work than they would if they just had their small role on a larger set.

Alexis: Is funding or access to equipment a major issue for you? How do you handle it?

Sadie: As far as equipment goes, I’m a big fan of renting it online. I like the website “Lensrentals,” which is super affordable and delivers fast. Because most of the projects I have done are 3-5 minute short films, they usually don’t require super big budgets and I can mostly work with what I have; however, I know many fellow student filmmakers who will set up a GoFundMe to crowdfund and that is something I’m keeping in mind for the future.

Alexis: Has feedback or criticism been difficult to navigate? How do you handle it?

Sadie: I really appreciate any feedback I can get. I typically share the “first drafts” of my projects with family members and friends (fellow student filmmakers included) to get their initial impressions and any notes they may have. I think criticism is always a difficult thing for me, especially when I am proud of what I’ve created and feel confident in the choices I’ve made in the editing process; nevertheless, after I’ve been staring at a project for a long period of time, I know how important a fresh pair of eyes and perspective is, and I’m super grateful for that.

Alexis: What inspires your ideas? Personal experiences, news, dreams?

Sadie: As a filmmaker, I am constantly observing the world around me: taking down notes when I hear interesting soundbites or see interesting characters or moments. I also am very self-reflective because I know that personal stories are the ones that often really resonate with an audience. I really love listening to music, so I’ll get inspiration from song lyrics or music videos as well, along with writing lyrics and poetry of my own, that will frequently become the seeds for my films. Watching movies is, of course, another extremely important thing for me. 

Alexis: Which student project are you most proud of and why?

Sadie: Last spring, I worked with two friends to shoot a feature-length, 1 hour and 20 minute long Vietnam war film called “Napalm Dreams.” I think I surprised myself with it, it’s something I never pictured myself doing at this point in my career. I was able to get involved in so many different ways on the film: writing the script, filming, operating the boom, and even doing makeup on set, and editing the final cut. So yeah, I’m super proud of that!

Alexis: What’s your approach to assembling a crew or collaborating with classmates?

Sadie: I am always ready and willing to help on friends’ projects and I think this sentiment is usually mutual, which is great. When I work on sets, I meet people who I realize I work really well with who I make sure to stay in contact with in hopes for future collaboration. I will also sometimes get friends and family members who have little to no film experience which can be challenging, but also really fun. 

Alexis: What do you wish you’d known before shooting your first short? 

Sadie: I wish I’d known that sticking to the script is helpful, but not always necessary. I think you can get trapped by following your plans too closely, or conversely, being super spontaneous and disorganized. 

Alexis: Has making films changed how you see the world?

Sadie: 100%. Funnily enough, I think I process hard things in my life by saying to myself “this will make a good moment in a future film.” I think I also seek out the story in everything, even the mundane… I’m always looking at things as if my eyes were a camera.

Alexis: What’s something you wish film professors or programs understood better about students’ realities?

Sadie: I wish they understood that we’re ready to make movie magic happen. I think sometimes they have low expectations for what students can do, and then go on to assign short, little-effort projects based on these assumptions. They are there to help us and guide us, but it is also important to let us take the reins and take initiative. 

Alexis: Where do you see yourself in the industry five years after graduation? 

Sadie: I hope I will be out there on set, getting more experience and making new connections; at the same time, I hope I’ll be dedicating lots of time and effort to my own projects… looking for inspiration, writing scripts, and filming things!

“Non Fiction” poster.

“The Audition” poster.