Show business is hard, “Widow’s Bay” creator Katie Dippold said, in case that wasn’t already clear to anyone and everyone. But upon accepting a much-deserved award and bit of recognition for her Apple TV series, she explained why she’s welcoming of that hardship.
Accepting the Visionary Award along with director Hiro Murai on behalf of their new series “Widow’s Bay,” Dippold reflected on pouring everything into a project only for it to never get made, or if it does, for it to be “brutally panned.” “Widow’s Bay” isn’t one of those — it’s out now and receiving widespread acclaim — but she knows the feeling.
“There’s something good that happens in these low points, because I really believe that when your ego is bruised, when it’s basically been beaten into a coma. […] I’m not mad about any of those reviews or anything […] but when the ego is gone, you’re just left with the creative passion that brought you here in the first place,” Dippold said at Nya West in Hollywood on Thursday, June 4. “That freedom will let you say, you might as well just make a big swing.”
The creepy and darkly funny “Widow’s Bay” is a product of that big swing, and standing on stage with Murai was another. Dippold praised her series’ director for taking a chance on her after he made classics like “Atlanta,” as well as “Mr. and Mrs. Smith” and one of the most important music videos of our time, all without “a single rotten tomato in sight.”
“I think my point is: Failure and rejection can be a gift,” Dippold said. “Now, I think I’ve got a few more of those gifts than I needed, if I remember, but that’s fine.”
Dippold, along with Murai, took the time to thank the executive team at Apple TV and the series’ producers. Murai also noted that shows like “Widow’s Bay” are truly “team sports,” and it takes inviting the right people to make something come together well. But above all, he thanked Dippold personally.
“Early on, I could just tell how much this show meant to you and how long it’s been living in you,” Murai said. “I just want to say thanks for trusting me to do this with you. It’s huge. And thanks for sharing.”
The two reiterated just how long this idea has been sitting with Dippold in a conversation with IndieWire ahead of the awards show. She said she can trace her earliest memories for how she wanted the show to feel to a haunted house she regularly visited during her childhood in New Jersey. Later, seeing the vibe Murai captured on episodes of “Atlanta,” like “Alligator Man” and “Woods,” crystallized exactly that feeling.
“And this is what I really love about Hiro: This is a very easy pilot to say no to, someone tells you, ‘Oh, it’s about a haunted island?’ That sounds terrible!” Dippold said. “That really is a risky thing. And he still met with me, and then I told him about the season and where it’s going to go, and he was in.”
This season’s IndieWire Honors ceremony took place Thursday, June 4, in Los Angeles with an intimate cocktail reception and ceremony. Stay tuned for more exclusive editorial and social content from the night, including video interviews, outtakes, and more.
You can watch Dippold and Murai’s full speech in the video above.
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