Q: Do you believe in a higher power? (Love, God, Universe, Grace, Spirit, whatever.) Why? Why not?
A: I do believe in a force greater than us but I don’t think that force necessarily cares about us. When you start exploring the science of it all — space time continuum, the big bang, there’s always a point where the science gets mystical. There’s a lot that we can’t explain and I’m going to chalk that up to magic or universe or god or whatever you want to call it.
Q: Why must you make films? (I mean, let's be honest, only a crazy person would choose to do it)
A: I don’t know if I must make films but I must make are and film seems to be the medium I’m best suited for. If I were a brilliant painter I would probably be painting or if I could sing my ass off, I’d probably be doing that. But I do think that film is an art form that reaches a lot of people. Stories are universal.
Q: If you were at a dinner party and had to pick one of these topics for the group to discuss (sex, politics, money, religion, death, food, reincarnation) -- what would it be and why?
A: I’d pick death. It’s so taboo but everyone has an amazing story related to dying — helping someone die, beliefs around death — it would be a pretty intense dinner convo but I’d like to be at that table.
Q: Make up a question for me to ask the next director I photograph. You can ask ANYTHING — just please be respectful.
A: If you had a time machine and could visit any time in history (or in your own life) when + where would you go?
Q from Anna McRoberts: If you could have made one movie that you loved as a child, what would it be and why?
A: ET. Because how fucking good is ET?
Q: The last time you had deja vu? What does deja vu mean to you?
A: With two kids under two, every day is pretty much deja vu. Wake, play, dinner, bath, books, bed. It’s groundhog day over here in Eagle Rock.
Q: When was the last time you laughed? What caused it? When was the last time you cried? Why?
Last time I cried - Christmas eve when I realized I’d been so busy finishing post my movie I didn’t have any presents for anybody - called my husband hysterical from the car and sobbed “You’re not getting anything!”. He laughed and I think his response was, “I don’t give two shits". Last time I laughed - every day my toddler comes up with something new that makes me howl with laughter. The other day I found her putting one of my tampons to bed with a blankie and a story.
Q: Lastly, tell the people about your next project and where they can see your work. Thank you!
A: Feature film TALLULAH feature with Elliot Page and Allison Janney. It’s premiering at the Sundance Film Festival January 2016.
Side note from Sylvia: Sian failed to mention that she is also a writer on ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK (who doesn’t love that show?!)