Filmmaker Profile: Working Group by Danny Dacosta
Welcome to the Bushwick Film Festival Q&A series, where we introduce you to the incredible filmmakers behind this year's lineup. Each of these talented storytellers has crafted a unique vision, reflecting diverse perspectives and powerful narratives that resonate deeply with audiences today. In this series, you'll get an inside look at what inspired their work, the challenges they faced, and the creative processes that brought their films to life. Through candid interviews, they share their thoughts on the impact of their films, the themes they explore, and their hopes for how audiences will connect with their stories. Whether you're here for drama, comedy, documentary, or experimental films, these filmmakers are sure to inspire you with their dedication and passion for the craft. We hope you enjoy getting to know the voices behind this year's festival as much as we have enjoyed bringing their films to our screens. Let’s dive into their stories!
A dedicated group of university students attempt to connect with custodial workers on campus and find ways to help them in this verite style documentary.
Q&A WITH DIRECTOR DANNY DACOSTA
What inspired you to create this film, and how did the initial idea come to you?
When I was a sophomore in college, ResLife student workers organized and formed the first voluntarily recognized student union at a University in the nation. They did this through a student organization called the United Student Labor Action Coalition (USLAC). My curiosity and admiration for these students grew as I watched them negotiate a new, fairer contract with the university and eventually joined them in their rallies and protests. I got to know members of USLAC and soon enough they became my friends. Eventually, as a senior with the opportunity to create a documentary for my film thesis, I knew I wanted to create something that spotlighted the incredible work I was witnessing this group accomplish. At the same time, I wanted to show how difficult student activism can be and the sheer dedication these students had for helping workers on campus. When I found out that their new goal was to reignite a previous campaign in support of custodial workers, I knew I wanted my film to help draw attention to the issues they were learning about. I chose to adopt an observational style to show audiences how much work can go on behind the scenes in the world of student activism.
What was a big challenge you faced while making this film?
Typically, observational films take very long periods of time to film, as to allow the story to unfold naturally in front of the camera. Unfortunately, my filming period for creating a film thesis at my university was restricted to only the fall semester, or a mere three months of filming. While I held onto the hope that progress would be made, there were definitely moments when I was unsure of what the group would accomplish by the end of the semester. Therefore, I had to balance how much encouragement and involvement I had in the group's activities as I made them aware of my own filming restrictions. At times, I thought I would have to become a character in the film in order to make the story work – even though I believed my presence would distract from what I wanted the film to actually be about. Luckily, my worries were relieved and the group made significant progress by the end of the semester, progress I was able to document just as I had originally intended.
Why is filmmaking important to you? Why is it important to the world?
Filmmaking is not only an intensely collaborative medium that requires the creation of strong, trusting relationships between all involved, it is also a wonderfully accessible medium to share with others. Through filmmaking I have been able to get to know fascinating people and help share their stories with anyone willing to watch for just a few minutes. Documentaries in particular can accentuate the extraordinary work of everyday people. I love that the product can both spread awareness about nearly any topic while also being entertaining to potential audiences. At my school’s screening of the year’s film theses, USLAC members and I handed out pamphlets that told attending students more about the issues they would see in my film and how that could get involved during the following semester.
Can you talk about the festival experience? How does it feel to have your film selected?
I am of course incredibly honored to have my film accepted into this festival! Having just graduated college, it feels like participating in this festival with my film thesis is a fantastic transition from pursuing my passion for film in school to developing a professional career in the industry. It is very validating to have my film selected among the phenomenal work featured in this festival and inspires hope in me that I may continue working in film after graduation. I’m thrilled to see the other filmmakers’ work and learn more about their projects and process. Likewise, I am excited to see the work of my film’s subject, USLAC, celebrated outside of the Wesleyan community. I love being able to honor other people’s efforts with my own work!
What’s the last book you read?
The last book I read was To The Lighthouse by Viginia Woolf. It’s the second Woolf book I’ve read and although it was a challenge, I loved the way she played with the pacing of her novel, allowing moments to linger for hours and years to pass by in seconds.
Early bird or night owl?
Night owl!
BIOGRAPHY
Danny Dacosta grew up on Long Island, New York and went to film school in Middletown, Connecticut. At school, Danny worked on a number of other student film projects, taking on a variety of roles from sound recordist, to assistant director, to director of photography. Through his classes and work on student documentaries, he discovered a profound passion for documentary filmmaking, culminating in his film production thesis “Working Group.” Now, having recently graduated, he has moved back to Long Island and is interning at a documentary production company and hopes to continue working in documentary filmmaking.
Thank you for joining us for this special Q&A with the filmmakers of the Bushwick Film Festival. We hope this conversation has given you insight into the artistry, dedication, and heart that went into bringing their films to life. Each of these creators represents the spirit of independent filmmaking—fearlessly telling stories that reflect the complexities of our world and the personal experiences that shape us. As you continue exploring this year’s lineup, we encourage you to dive deeper into these works and discover the powerful messages, emotions, and perspectives they offer. Whether you're a long-time supporter of indie films or a newcomer to the festival, your engagement and curiosity make all the difference in uplifting these voices. Stay tuned for more filmmaker spotlights, and we look forward to seeing you at this year’s screenings. Let’s continue celebrating the magic of storytelling together!
