Union’s Rachael Waxler Explores Texas Beauty and Grit with “Miss Snake Charmer”
“Miss Snake Charmer”, which Waxler directed and edited, covers the true story of an annual beauty pageant held in Sweetwater, Texas. This is not just any beauty pageant: it is also the world’s largest rattlesnake roundup, in which the teen contestants must prove their bravery by killing, and skinning, a rattlesnake before showcasing their talents and evening wear. The winner then spends the weekend reigning over pits of live vipers. Waxler said the experience shattered many preconceived notions about life in a deeply red state: “We went out to shoot the story of this crazy pageant, but really tapped into the heart of the people of this town, their openness and warmth.”
Miss Snake Charmer can be found on the following platforms:
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Link to Article“This project was a labor of love and an education for everyone involved making it,” said Waxler. “We were all changed by our experience in Sweetwater. You don’t have to be from Texas or a teenage girl to connect with these characters, there’s a bit of them in all of us. And to partner with Gravitas Ventures and distribute the film on so many platforms is a wild dream come true.”
