Meet Tannis Starr | Director & Filmmaker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Tannis Starr and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tannis, can you talk to us a bit about the social impact of your business?
First of all, I love this question! I believe the ability to make people laugh is so underestimated when talking about political and social change. Film and comedy are one of the best tools to find common ground. Especially in today’s world, comedy can seem like the only way to metaphorically disarm people and create a space to talk. My main focus in all of this has been shifting the comedy space to be more inclusive towards women, people of color, and the LGBTQ+ communities that are too often the joke rather than in on the joke. Laughing, empathizing, and sharing moments of humanity with people who may not look or live like you brings us all closer to understanding one another.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Hi! I’m Tannis Starr, an indie comedy filmmaker dedicated to bringing a fresh female perspective to the genre and reimagining spaces traditionally dominated by male voices. I have always wanted to be a filmmaker. One of my family’s best inside jokes is 10-year-old me having my first directorial crisis when my younger sister refused to hit her mark on a cooking show I forced my entire family into production on. It’s funny to think that she’s the same sister who is working as a videographer, and sometimes my Director of Photography. Living in Missouri, there wasn’t really any film community around me, and I knew I would have to get closer to Hollywood if I wanted to learn more about filmmaking. I was technically born in Arizona, so it seemed like the natural choice to try to go to college out here. I ended up going to college at ASU for Film & Media Productions, this is where I meet my mentor Janaki, learned how to work on a set, and edited until the sun came up, literally. After college, I was able to work at Quantum Leap, a production company in Tempe. Bill Davis and Misty Wilson taught me so much about working professionally, efficient workflows, and creating art I believe in. Even as a kid, making movies with my sister, I had heard about how women were underrepresented and mistreated in Hollywood. This was impossible for me to comprehend—because in my world, my entire three-person production team was made up of women. As I’ve grown up and learned to navigate a male-dominated industry, I’m continuing to find ways to use what I know to tell women’s stories and uplift other women in the production community. My production company Shootin’ Starr Studios is very intertwined with this narrative of using comedy as a way to empower women and other marginalized groups. Comedy is a science, and if we use the right recipe we can begin to tackle bigger political issues, breakdown stereotypes, and foster empathy. All of which, I believe, can be done through the power of a good laugh. My newest film, “Let’s Do It…?” is showing at the Phoenix Film Festival in the Arizona Shorts A block! March 31st @ 6:55PM, April 5th @ 2:35PM and more times available via brown paper tickets! The Phoenix Film Festival runs from March 27th-April 6th.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
There are so many fun places! If you are looking for to get brunch with your friends, Social Hall is great. They have great food, games, and nice outside seating that’s perfect for this time of year. If you want to do a little shopping you can’t really do anywhere else, go to Zia Records! My roommate loves them for their CD’s and I love their movies, obviously! One other AZ specific thing I love is the mountains! I recently hiked Fat Man’s Pass (I know, funny name) with a couple of my friends and we could see the whole city. It was seriously amazing. If you are hungry after your hike, Casey Moores Oyster House has amazing crab cakes and french onion soup. Finally, this is Arizona! Go to the pool! You can buy an adult mermaid tail on amazon, grill some hot dogs, and trust me you will have a good day.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My parents obviously deserve some love for all of their continued support! They are the reason I have the confidence to pursue my dreams. Also, Janaki Cedanna has been my mentor ever since I moved to Arizona in 2020 and I will always be grateful for the work he has and continues to put into teaching and guiding me in the film space.

Website: https://www.sstarrstudios.com

Instagram: @tannisstarr

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TannisStarr

Other: Shootin’ Starr Studios Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sstarrstudios/profilecard/?igsh=cXJzNTkzbWhsampj

Shootin’ Starr Studios Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@starrstudios?_t=ZT-8tv8tPUEORq&_r=1

Brown Paper Bag Tickets March 31st: https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/6588017

Trailer to “Let’s Do It…?”: https://youtu.be/WD8D-WZA8II?si=suvDxyV8mYN4sBmu

Image Credits
Tatum Starr, Kyle Haggard, Quincy Ray Barham