An unusual, isolated girl becomes a prime murder suspect in Director Olivia Newman’s dramatic mystery, Where the Crawdads Sing.
Based on the best-selling novel by Delia Owens, Newman’s film tells the story of Kya, an abandoned girl who raised herself in the wild marshlands of North Carolina. After being drawn to two young men from the local town and opening herself up to the ‘civilized’ world, she finds herself suspected when one of them is found dead. But the truth of what happened may be as murky as the waters of the marsh.
On July 31, after the DGA membership screening in Los Angeles, Newman discussed the making of Where the Crawdads Sing during a Q&A moderated by Director Catherine Hardwicke (Tell It Like a Woman).
During the conversation, Newman shared how being able to adjust to changing conditions came in handy during a shoot plagued by unique and unforeseeable challenges, such as flooding of exterior locations.
“I think it’s part of directing, that you have to be able to pivot. I try to come as prepared as I can be to set and be completely ready to throw it out if something else comes along or a better idea comes up. I think being willing to deal with the unknown is something I love. I love an adventure. I love not knowing what’s gonna’ happen.”
Newman’s other directorial credits include the feature film First Match; and episodes of FBI, Dare Me, Chicago P.D. and Chicago Fire. Newman has been a DGA member since 2018.
You can listen to Newman's Q&A by clicking the podcast episode embedded below. You can find more DGA podcast episodes here.