[Watch the video interview on YouTube here]
Last Updated: December 26, 2025
Deborah Correa on Authentic Storytelling
In this Film Courage interview, filmmaker Deborah Correa discusses the evolution of her directorial voice and the importance of creative intentionality.
Intentionality and Finding a Directorial Voice
Film Courage: Have you always been intentional with your film projects?
Deborah Correa, Filmmaker: Yes. Though sometimes I would question the intention.
Like was the intention a certain outcome that I wanted or was the intention like the story needs to get told and I’m the one to tell it?
Discovering Artistic Voice and Background
Where I feel like early on when you’re learning directing and film I was also learning my voice and more deeply the stories that I wanted to be a part of telling.
I think that it was shaped a lot by my time in Colombia and then working in documentaries.
Join Film Courage for a community writing group this Monday and Tuesday on Zoom — more info on Eventbrite here…
Finding a Niche: Historical Drama and “The War Between”
Even now and recently with The War Between, I think the historical drama aspect of it and it’s a true story. I’ve kind of found my niche more with that and my space that I feel the most comfortable in and excited by.
But yeah, the intention has always been what kind of story do I want to tell and why am I telling it?
And if I’m trying to be overly strategic about something, it doesn’t really work.
So early on, it’s like, okay, I wanted to try doing a more commercial kind of romcom, overly strategized, and people are going to see my range and I can like being this commercial director. It’s glossy and fun.
But that’s not what happened.
Core Philosophy: Impact Over Outcome
It was almost like I had to just not even think about the end result and strategize what I think would happen.
It was more like What story do I really want to tell? What is the most impactful for me?…(Watch the video interview on YouTube here).
About:
Deborah Correa is an award-winning Colombian-American producer and director. Her feature directorial debut, The War Between, was shot entirely on location in Arizona. After graduating from Emerson College, Deborah was chosen for the prestigious AFI Directing Workshop for Women. Her work spans television, film, and podcasts, with both narrative and documentary projects. Her credits include PBS, History Channel, Spotify, Travel Channel, Paramount+, Brave New Films, and Hulu. While working on the History Channel series The Warfighters, Deborah worked with over 90 U.S. Special Operations veterans who were both in front of and behind the camera. She continues to work with veterans in telling their stories.
CONNECT WITH DEBORAH CORREA
CONNECT WITH ‘THE WAR BETWEEN’
Instagram.com/thewarbetweenfilm
Facebook.com/thewarbetweenfilm
Advertisement – contains affiliate links
(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases)
New book from Film Courage! – See it on Payhip here
