Stephanie Zari's Path to Writing and Directing Zebra Girl
Written by Justine Owens and Avery Faeth
Stephanie Zari's Path to Writing and Directing Zebra Girl hero image
Stephanie’s journey began in the vibrant acting scene of Toronto, where she garnered a
deep understanding of screenplays, character analysis, and storytelling structures. However,
the desire to write and tell her own stories compelled her to write her first short-form scripts.
From there, she began exploring feature films as not only a writer but also a director.
Embarking on the journey from crafting short films to diving into the vast realms of feature
films as director and writer can be as daunting as it is thrilling.
Stephanie’s career development took a huge step forward with the supplement of education.
She attended part-time film school while participating in masterclasses and taking
screenwriting courses from John Truby. She embarked on most of these opportunities in the
era before online learning and earned an appreciation for the importance of in-person
courses for networking.
Doing courses in person was key at the time for me to really build my network … I would
encourage this as much as possible … even if it’s your local am-dram!
Throughout her career, Stephanie has found her own tool to tackle the universal challenge of
getting projects off the ground - the power of collaboration. Whether it involves co-writing,
co-producing, or engaging in the creative process with other professionals like script
consultants, finding and forging the right alliances has been a crucial theme in her
twenty-year journey.
It's not just about crafting stories; it's about crafting stories together, recognizing the
symbiotic relationship that breathes life into our scripts. Because even if you write alone,
eventually someone you trust will need to read it, and finding that person or tribe is key.
Developing and Directing Zebra Girl
Zebra Girl marks Stephanie’s feature directorial debut, a project adapted from the critically
acclaimed Edinburgh Fringe Festival one-woman show Catherine & Anita performed by
Sarah Roy. Stephanie also developed the screen story and served as co-producer.
Catherine & Anita initially came about when Roy, inspired by Cush Jumbo's one-woman
show, decided to create her own solo performance with New York playwright Derek Ahonen.
The show's success at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival led to its adaptation for the screen, with
Ahonen drafting the initial screenplay. Seeking a director who could tell her story with a
distinctly female perspective, Roy chose Stephanie, and together they undertook the
complex task of translating the play into a film.
As a filmmaker and abuse survivor, the story resonated with me deeply and we boldly, yet
carefully set out to balance dark themes with comedic elements, addressing sensitive
subject matter with respect and thorough research, speaking with psychologists and reading
memoirs.
The non-linear structure of the script was a challenge that we unraveled and put back
together several times, trying to make sense of a fragmented mind and how best to
represent that on screen … We aimed to push the boundaries on mental health
representation on screen, unapologetically and through a female lens, challenging
stereotypes that we knew would potentially polarize viewers and critics …
Even having a test screening before the final cut, which had positive feedback, could not
have prepared us for how divisive a reaction the film would generate. Ultimately, the hope
with Zebra Girl was to portray the main character through her eyes, and not just as a victim
but as someone striving for a better life - even if she faces a tragic end.
Zebra Girl (2021) film Poster
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A notable challenge Stephanie faced as a director was visually representing the
protagonist's psychosis. She devised a unique map of camera techniques and a color palette
that reflected the character's personality and struggles, aptly dubbed "Disney gone wrong."
Working closely with cinematographer Catherine Derry, they fine-tuned these visual
concepts to best underscore the film's distinctive perspective.
Stephanie also talked about the importance of respect between the cast and crew on set:
Photo from Zebra Girl
Working on such heavy subject matter can take a psychological toll, so the support of a
tight-knit crew, supportive cast, and a sense of trust and camaraderie on set were crucial. As
Sarah and I were making our first feature film together (as were many of the crew), we
listened to each others’ needs and suggestions and were fortunate to navigate … the issues.
The film premiered in UK cinemas in May 2021 and is now globally available on major
streaming platforms. It received a nomination for Best Thriller at the UK 2022 National Film
Awards and has secured several indie awards.
Watch Zebra Girl on Amazon Prime Video
Pitching, Authenticity, and Resilience
When it comes to pitching, Stephanie has learned that it’s equally important to showcase the
person behind the story as it is to present a compelling narrative. In those nerve-wracking
pitch meetings, she finds solace in a familiar performer's trick—stepping into her "circle of
confidence" and letting authenticity and passion shine through.
Executives and producers aren't just seeking a great story; they're seeking a storyteller with
a unique voice and vision. So, I make it personal. I make it about not just the plot but the
individuality I bring to the table, how the story resonates with me, and why. This approach
creates a pitch that's not easily forgotten – one that resonates beyond the logline.
She also emphasizes the importance of connection, noting that executives and producers
are just as eager to discover the next great story. If you can connect with them on a human
level and show your true self, they may open themselves to collaboration even if it isn’t on
the initial project you pitched.
In the ever-evolving landscape of the film industry, she recognizes one constant: the
enduring appeal of personal storytelling. She’s learned that crafting a feature script with the
best chances of being made involves tapping into her own experiences, making the story
hers alone. A personal perspective enables a deeper exploration of universally resonant
themes.
While the industry may shift like sand, the authenticity of a genuinely human story remains a
beacon – in whatever genre you’re writing in. So, I write stories that feel personal and
authentic. I know that even if it doesn’t get made, I wrote it because it connected with me on
a deep level and normally I learn something about myself and grow as a person with each
one that I’ve written and kept honing my voice.
And when it comes to perseverance, Stephanie says that the course of filmmaking is often
an unpredictable path. She works to stay true to the vision she holds for the stories she
wants to tell in the face of setbacks and changes, all while remaining adaptable and open to
collaboration – no small feat.
Making films is like being on a battlefield and you need to be in it for the long haul as it can
get very bloody. You need a willingness to persist in the ever-changing landscape with a big
dollop of resilience to keep on your creative journey.
Beyond Zebra Girl
Since Zebra Girl, Stephanie has created, executive produced, and directed an interactive
comedy horror feature film tailored for TikTok, which was commissioned by the mobile
storytelling app Whatifi and written by Abigail Blackmore. She has also taken the helm of the
beloved UK children's TV show The Dumping Ground.
Currently, she is developing three projects under her banner, Forge Films, collaborating with
both established and emerging UK female writers. Together they tell a range of stories with a
comic twist, from an absurdist existential horror, to an off-beat body swap romance, to an
adaptation of the nonfiction novel How to Create the Perfect Wife. The book, by acclaimed
historian and journalist Wendy Moore, recounts the remarkable true story that inspired
Bernard Shaw’s Pygmalion.
The dumping ground s10 trailer index
As a director, I want to craft stories that both entertain and resonate on a deep, introspective
level. I’m interested in working and collaborating with like-minded writers with the goal of
shattering conventional norms and championing underrepresented stories. As Barbie
showed us loud and clear last year – this is what we're made for! – hopefully, the studios and
execs really start to listen.
Stephanie Zari
Stephanie was a Semifinalist in Shore Scripts’ 2016 Feature Contest with her script In Our
Blood. In 2021, she co-wrote and directed the feature film Zebra Girl, produced by 19th
Street Productions and distributed by Bohemian Media. The film stars Tom Cullen (Downton
Abbey, Black Mirror, Weekend), Jade Anouka (Cleaning Up, His Dark Materials), and Sarah
Roy (Glue).
Stephanie's Website
IMDB
This article was produced in collaboration with Shore Scripts.
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