Table of Contents
Three Key Takeaways
- The Other Girl explores the intense and often toxic experience of auditioning through a slow-building, dread-filled lens.
- Madeleine Coghlan transformed her personal acting struggles into a unique horror story infused with dark humor and heartfelt creativity.
- Collaboration and community were vital to the film’s special effects and overall production, illustrating the strength of indie filmmaking.
Madeleine Coghlan returns to FilmQuest with her haunting short film The Other Girl, a 1963-set tale about a young woman’s all-in auditionary moment.
Featuring a compelling performance from co-star Christopher Conner, and a creative team including editor Blake Jarvis and special effects collaborators Adam Stilwell and Kevin Kolsch, the film merges subtle horror and personal storytelling.
Madeleine’s multifaceted role as actor, writer, and director lends The Other Girl a distinct, intimate voice that resonates with genre fans and filmmakers alike.
What drew you to make this film? Why this story, and why now?
As an actor, and a woman and a person, I have so often felt the feeling of never being enough, which I think we can all relate to, but is especially prevalent in the brutal auditioning process. I’ve been acting since I was five and it was, to put it bluntly, starting to make me a little crazy. I love horror and I felt writing this was a much better way to exorcise my feelings and try and purge some of those toxic thoughts.
"I’ve been acting since I was five and it was, to put it bluntly, starting to make me a little crazy."
What surprised you most about the filmmaking process this time—creatively or logistically? Was there a moment on set or in post that completely changed how you saw the story?
What surprised me most was the magic that happened when working with my co-star, Chris. Obviously I knew he was talented but I had always envisioned the director’s character as mostly an off-screen presence. When we rehearsed and I saw everything he was bringing to the role, I knew I had to completely rethink how I was going to shoot the project, and boy am I glad I did.
Is there a moment in the film that feels the most you—something only you could have made?
I love this question, I think writing the credits song with one of my best friends Zander feels really special and personal. The fact that it’s the last thing people hear makes me happy.
What was the hardest creative decision you made while making this film?
The hardest creative decisions came in the edit! As far as shorts go, it’s still on the long side but I felt you needed the length and time with the characters to build the mood. Choosing what to cut was the hardest part, but time and space from the material plus my brilliant editor Blake, really helped.
What do you hope audiences take away from your film?
Honestly I hope audiences take away that it’s okay to laugh at your darkness a little bit. Humor has always helped me process things so I hope it works for others too.
"What surprised me most was the magic that happened when working with my co-star, Chris."
How has this film shaped or shifted the kind of stories you want to tell next?
I think the film has pushed me to continue to follow the little voices in my head. If there’s a feeling I can’t shake, the best way to move through it is to create something.
What’s a tool, technique, or resource that really helped you during production?
Gosh, there were so many things that helped but some of my good friends and talented filmmakers Adam Stilwell, Kevin Kolsch, Ethan Walden, and Nick Daue, came together to help me with special effects. It was incredible to have them literally workshopping blood sfx with tubing and a fish tank on the day. It was special.
Independent filmmakers often rewrite the rules out of necessity. What do you think is the greatest strength of independent filmmaking, and how did you lean into that on this project? Is there a lesson or breakthrough you’d share with others navigating this path?
I think the greatest strength is our community. Helping your friends make their projects and vice versa. There’s strength in numbers and I think the beauty of indie filmmaking is that you don’t have to do it alone. Make things with your friends and the people you love.
What does it mean to you to have your film selected for FilmQuest, one of the world’s top reviewed genre film festivals?
Getting to premiere at FilmQuest is a total dream. I am a three time alumni now and the most beautiful opportunities and relationship have blossomed from this fest and allowed me to make other projects with new collaborators. It’s completely expanded my world in the best way and I couldn’t be more honored.
FilmQuest celebrates the majesty and might of genre filmmaking across fantasy, horror, sci-fi, action, thriller, western, kung-fu, and beyond. How does your film fit within—or push the boundaries of—genre storytelling?
I think my film pushes the boundaries in its slow build. I think the horror and genre element is more subtle, and leans more dreadful than horrific. I love that FilmQuest is open to so many different variations and interpretations of horror.
"I think the horror and genre element is more subtle, and leans more dreadful than horrific."
Where do you see this film going next?
I would love this film to continue its festival run, and hopefully screen at some international fests as well.
“At the core of all my work is a desire to frighten and delight."
Cast & Crew
- Christopher Conner — Co-star
- Zander Hawley — Co-writer of credits song, collaborator
- Adam Stilwell, Kevin Kolsch, Ethan Walden, Nick Daue — Special effects collaborators
- Blake Jarvis — Editor
