What Makes Personal Storytelling So Powerful in Film?
Filmmakers are always searching for the next big story, digging through books, pitch decks, or industry trends. But sometimes the most powerful stories aren’t out in the world waiting to be found. Sometimes they’re right in front of us, woven into our own lives.
For me, one of those stories became “Weird and the Wonderful”, a YouTube web series inspired by my mother’s lifelong obsession with oddities and wax figures. You can check it out HERE.
From a Simple Idea to a Growing Series
At first, I didn’t realize the potential in her passion. It felt like something small, niche, maybe even too personal. But as I started documenting it, I saw how much magic lived in her curiosity. What began as just an idea quickly grew into a full-fledged web series.
Audiences connected instantly. What I had once taken for granted was exactly what people wanted to see, authentic, human storytelling. Weird and the Wonderful found a community of viewers who related, engaged, and couldn’t get enough.
Cynthia Lazaris holding the wax head of Bob Hope.
Passion Fueled by Resilience
This project became even more meaningful because my mother was living with cancer. Her fascination with oddities wasn’t just a hobby, it was a source of resilience, joy, and connection. Sharing her story gave her energy and created a supportive community around her.
Filming Weird and the Wonderful wasn’t just about showcasing unusual collections, it was about celebrating her spirit, humor, and drive to keep exploring the world despite the challenges she faced. And audiences felt that.
It was also personal for myself, being able to collaborate with my mother is something that I have always wanted to do. This collaboration is something that I will never forget.
Scarecrow wax figure from the “Wizard of Oz”
Why Personal Stories Resonate
The experience taught me a lesson every filmmaker should remember: sometimes the best stories are the ones closest to us. Personal stories carry an authenticity that audiences crave. They connect us not through spectacle, but through shared humanity.
We continue to this day, making new episodes of Weird and the Wonderful as my mother dives deeper into her passion. Each video is another opportunity to remind viewers that beauty, curiosity, and strength can be found in the most unexpected places.
Sometimes, the weird and the wonderful is sitting right in your living room. For me, this web series became proof that when you honor the stories closest to you, audiences will show up, not just to watch, but to connect.
So if you’re searching for inspiration, look around you. The story worth telling might be closer than you think.
