IndieWire's Filmmaker Toolkit 'Ponies' Creator Susanna Fogel
Jan 22, 2026
In this engaging conversation, Susanna Fogel, the talented filmmaker and co-creator of 'Ponies,' dives into the show's unique exploration of two women as CIA spies during the Cold War. She shares insights on the lengthy development process, the creative decisions that shaped the storyline, and how they crafted a vibrant Moscow using Budapest as a backdrop. Susanna also discusses balancing comedy and drama, the intricacies of character development, and the importance of visual storytelling, all while maintaining a playful, wish-fulfillment vibe in production design.
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Rewrite Movie After Real-World Change
- After their rough cut premiered, gay marriage was legalized and Susanna reworked her film in post to focus on friendship.
- The released movie became a different film than what they shot, illustrating post's power.
Choose Color Over Period Drabness
- Use color and pattern to make period settings feel alive and unique, not just drab historical accuracy.
- Lean on research but push aesthetics toward an immersive, wish-fulfillment world.
One-Take Stunt Heightened Set Tension
- Amelia's stunt double (the second unit director's wife) performed the building jump and did it only once, making the shoot tense.
- The team considered the sequence extremely stressful but it succeeded on the first take.