Miss Snake Charmer tells the true story of an annual beauty pageant held in Sweetwater, Texas. This is not just any beauty pageant: this 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 feature documentary marks the directing debut of Rachael Waxler, who also cut the film. An editor at bicoastal Union, Waxler’s recent work as of January 2020 includes Honda (via RPA), directed by Stewart Hendler; Kendra Scott (via McGarrah Jesse), Nicholas Jasenovec, director; and Indeed.com (in-house), helmed by Berndt Mader. Other notable projects include Carl’s Jr (via 72 and Sunny), and the award-winning “Kate and Heather” Beauty Campaign for Walgreens, directed by Rachel Goldenberg, as well as Hilton Garden Inn, starring Judy Greer (both via GSD&M). She edited the film as well. Waxler and her co-director, Emily Arroyo, grew up in Texas, and wanted to depict the strength of the women in their home state. Said Waxler, “The contest is about more than beauty and snakes: the girls are all competing for scholarship money and all of them are going to college to study engineering and communications. These are educated women.”
