A DRIVE TOWARDS HEALING: INTERVIEW WITH “HIGHWAY” DIRECTOR DOUG CUNNINGHAM
Doug Cunningham, PhD, pulled out all the stops for the creation of his suspense film “Highway.” Revenge, redemption, a sultry car, and even deeper meanings encompass this high-octane short. As he explains, Highway is “also a metaphorical examination of how deep divides drive people apart and how, at the same time, shared sorrow and even the most basic commonalities can bring people together. In a time when our nation is so divided, Highway looks at how people can overcome differences to find common ground--and even friendships.” This metaphorical meaning behind Highway really stuck with us, and we had the opportunity to interview Doug (professor, writer, filmmaker) about the creation of this redemptive tour de force.
In addition to screening at our Zepsgiving showcase at Huish Reel Theatre, Highway won the following awards for the ZIFA autumn 2023 season: Best Action Film, Best Actress (Lindsey Hawkes), Best Sound Design (Brian Parsons), and an Honorable Mention for Best Supporting Actress (Cherie Julander). You can check it out at the Utah Film Festival event Open Cinema at Maven Cinemas (December 5th, 2023) or at the upcoming Scorpiusfest (January 16th-17th, 2023).
ZIFA: What inspired you to create this inspiring project? Any influences?
Dr. Cunningham: What a great question! The inspirations for the project came from a variety of places, but especially from films such as DUEL (Spielberg, 1971), MAD MAX 2: THE ROAD WARRIOR (Miller, 1982), PARIS, TEXAS (1984), THELMA AND LOUISE (Scott, 1992), RED ROCK WEST (Dahl, 1992), and MAD MAX: FURY ROAD (Miller, 2015). I should also list THE LONG KISS GOODNIGHT (Harlin, 1994) and NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN (Coen Bros., 2007) as big influences as well. I have always loved action pictures and neo-noir westerns (like RED ROCK WEST, for example), and I wanted to make a film with the excitement of the former and the look of the latter.
ZIFA: We can definitely see it! Where did you film it? How long did it take?
Dr. Cunningham: Most of the film was shot in Utah's West Desert. More specifically, our primary shooting location was very near Cedar Valley, Utah, which is west of Utah Lake by about 15 miles. The road literally lies alongside the Pony Express Trail not far from the borders of Utah County and Tooele County. We shot over a period of one day and three nights, then we shot an evening of pickups a couple months after principal photography wrapped.
ZIFA: Can we talk about that CAR? How did you go about choosing the vehicle for production?
Dr. Cunningham: Sure! I'm very proud of this part of the production. Originally, Amanda (the film's protagonist, played by Lindsey Hawkes) was going to drive a Jeep, but I started to want something more flashy the nearer we got to production. I started to think about all the great muscle cars I loved from the 1970s, and for a while I had my eye on a beautiful, orange 1973 Mustang Mach 1. I went to a car show in Orem hoping to see one, but while there I found the gorgeous, Rally Red 1968 Camaro SS that we ended up using in the film. The owner, Jay Sisson, was a nice and very agreeable person, as well, and so we decided to work together. His son, Skyler, who is a professional race-car driver, did much of the driving for the film, and both men were really great all-around problem-solvers during the shoot. I really can't thank them enough. They really helped us out in more ways than I can count. They were more than just "the car guys." They helped us out with everything.
ZIFA: What was the biggest challenge you faced during the creation of Highway?
Dr. Cunningham: Working at night was a big challenge. Just getting on that sleep schedule was tough, as was lighting those scenes in the middle of the nighttime desert. The bigger challenge, though, during both production and post, was funding. At points, I had to just move forward with the faith that we'd be able to pay for certain things we needed, like that that night of pickups for which we hadn't originally budgeted. In all cases, I was able to find more funding sources, but still, finding money is always tough. I want to express our thanks to everyone who helped us out financially and believed in our project enough to do so.
ZIFA: Can you talk about the most memorable moment on set?
Dr. Cunnigham: Others might disagree, but for me it was the moment we filmed Lindsey and Cherie talking on the tailgate of the truck. It was 3am at an abandoned gas station in the middle of the desert. Everywhere around us was completely dark. We could hear wild animals in the distance, like coyotes. And Lindsey and Cherie were at the top of their games as actors, pouring so much pathos into this very important and emotional scene. It was the kind of moment I'd dreamed of having as a filmmaker, a moment where immense talent and ambiance came together in a beautiful and artistic way.
ZIFA: That was such a pivotal moment in the film - that moment of finding commonalities despite despair. How did you go about casting these talented people and securing your crew?
I first noticed Lindsey on Instagram somehow, probably through a post by Utah Film Festival or Utah Filmmakers. I really liked her unique look. I asked her if she'd read a short script I had finished recently because I was interested in her for a supporting role. That film ended up not working out, so I asked if she'd read something else once I completed it. Lindsey said yes, and I wrote a whole new short script specifically focussed on her. We both loved action films, so that was the obvious genre choice. I wrote Cherie's part for Highway with Cherie in mind, as well. I had seen a short dramatic film in which she had starred (Living in the Gap [2020], directed by Paul Gibbs). She impressed me so much with her performance in that film that I immediately recognized her a year or so later when I met her on the set of another film (I Have No Tears, and I Must Cry [2023], directed by Luis Fernando Puente) in which she had a prominent supporting role and in which I was an extra. I got talking with Cherie on set, and she was so friendly, I immediately thought of her when starting to create the role of Sadie for Highway. (I Have No Tears, and I Must Cry, by the way, was eventually picked up for Sundance 2023.) Both Lindsey and Cherie are such remarkable actors, I feel very, very lucky they agreed to come onboard for Highway. Mario DeAngelis, our fantastic DP and editor, as well as Brian Parsons, our great sound designer, are folks with whom I had worked on my previous short, Listen, Darkling (2015). Most of the rest of our small crew were professionals recommended by either Lindsey or Mario. Again, I was very blessed to work with such talented people.
ZIFA: Any lessons learned or things you would have done differently?
Dr. Cunningham: I've kept a running list of lessons learned, and it will be very helpful to me on the next project. I think my biggest lesson learned would be to line up big donors early, before any crowdfunding campaign, so that they can be the first to contribute and thereby give you a big boost in the amount raised from the very beginning of your campaign. People are reluctant to fund a campaign that has $15,000 of its $15,000 budget still to be raised. If, however, someone has already raised $6,000 by the first day of the campaign--and other contributors see that on the crowdfunding site--folks will be more inclined to pitch in.
ZIFA: Any advice for our aspiring filmmakers who read this?
Dr, Cunningham: Don't give up! You can overcome the obstacles, including funding. Just keep at it, remain persistent and committed, and you'll get there! Remember: You're not asking people for money for yourself. You're asking them for money to provide them with art. There's a big difference, and it can be felt in your attitude during the fundraising process.
ZIFA: Any upcoming projects?
Dr. Cunningham: Yes! I'm co-writing a feature right now (a drama set in the world of haute cuisine), and I'm developing ideas for other features and shorts. It's an exciting time! I feel like so many things are possible because of my experiences making and screening Highway. Its success has boosted my confidence in my creative work.
ZIFA: That is exciting! How can we follow your journey?
Dr. Cunningham: The best place to follow my work would be on Instagram, where I can be found as @vertigodac. Also, my Link Tree is: https://linktr.ee/dougcunningham. Thanks for this great interview opportunity, and thanks for all the support Zepstone Media has given to Highway. We truly appreciate your help!
Interview by: Alicia Oberle Farmer