Discover Which Witch Productions: A Chicagoan Coven of Creative Charm
By Bella Kovar
Image Credits: Natalia Pfeiffer
When the camera’s rolling on a film set, everyone has to be dead silent. If there is any trace of crew members chattering in the background, the simple rustling of a jacket, or a poorly covered up whisper… the take will immediately be ruined. The boom operators will thank you for cultivating a soundless space, and pray that an airplane doesn’t drone by in the middle of a take. So that’s it. Be quiet. However, between takes, in a well nurtured environment, there’s a thunderous spark of mirth. A squeal of ‘cut’ will produce applause. Sometimes tears. Always giggles. There is a certain amount of passion that goes into these projects that translates stories from page to screen, and one of the most magical components of that is the community that comes with it.
Image Credits: Natalia Pfeiffer
Last Spring, I wrote and directed my first narrative short film, The Baudelaire Witch. When bringing this dream to life, I had the pleasure of Hannah Hersh and Karlie Finn’s presence by my side helping to make it happen and become the best it could be. Both Hersh and Finn are recent graduates of DePaul University, the top film school in the Midwest. While there, the pair co-founded Which Witch Productions, a company based in Chicago which prioritizes femme and queer stories as well as those groups’ involvement in film. My movie wasn’t the first project Hersh and Finn got their hands on. In fact, when I asked what the catalyst for the concept of Which Witch was they agreed that it was Adamson Novak’s How to Spot a Heterosexual—which is a clever project that satirizes the Lavender Scare of the 1950s and creates a world where homosexuality is the standard. At the same time of production, it was prevalent through past experiences that there needed to be more thought and care regarding the treatment of crew members on student sets. Given their sights in environments that ruthlessly prioritized the sole importance of white men, both their stories and positions of power on sets, it became clear to Hersh and Finn that there needed to be an attempt against this status quo. Through the creation of this company, their number one priority has always been making sure artists feel safe and heard during their endeavors.
Finn stated to me passionately, “You should be telling a story that means something to you, that you can connect with, that you are confident about so you can contribute something realistic instead of playing a part”. With the significance of authenticity in mind, Hersh also emphasized how crucial the atmosphere of a set is, as well as the tone of how people communicate with one another throughout pre-production all the way to post. It’s no secret that in many productions with filmmakers of all ages, there is strength in numbers. A cast and crew has many slots to fill—Which Witch Productions aimed to cultivate an amicable space where there is rapport between members, especially those who have marginalized voices. What goes on behind the scenes is just as crucial as what goes on in the final cut.
Image Credits: Athena Merry
Reclaiming the term “Witch” has been a big part of their namesake and image. “It comes down to the demonization of women who are creative and think outside of the box,” Hersh explains, “Any woman is a witch. In a male dominated society, as a woman you have power that comes from a community in a way that men will never understand.” The concept of a coven is a driving force and influences a tight-knit community which I have seen close up from being on a Which Witch set. Hersh and Finn speak fondly of Isabella Siska and Alexa Venereo, who are fellow board members (or sisters through the coven), and their roles in marketing as well as art direction.
The growing of the circle doesn’t stop there—Hersh and Finn are dedicated to finding similar souls with the same passions for onscreen storytelling. With their message, Hersh deduces that it comes easier than one would think, “When you have a bunch of people who don’t feel heard for similar reasons, it creates a network”.
Image Credits: Natalia Pfeiffer
When asked about the future and any upcoming projects, Hersh smiles and mentions her own directorial debut that is currently in early stages. Dinner Party, a gothic horror short, is set to film later this year. As for the company, Finn and Hersh are unsure about what is next, but are excited nonetheless. As their careers are freshly blossoming, it’s not set in stone whether Which Witch will be something that stays with them as they grow or if its legacy will be something that has the most resonance. Finn describes the beautiful impact of the personal connections made, “Those relationships that we’ve built, everyone that we’ve worked with on all of these projects who still want to stay in touch and lean on each other, that is our future”.
Instinctual, driven, and with a foundation of love and respect for creatives with little voice, Which Witch Productions is just a peek into the future of filmmaking where the wellness of those bringing art to life is prioritized. Although on a small scale, independent companies like these are making a difference in communities all over the country.
Image Credits: Athena Merry
