Owning Your Story: The Power in Sharing

The world survives on storytelling.

Whether it be folklore passed on through generations, a book, a religious dance, or a performance of Ancient Greek theatre, storytelling has always been a way for humans to connect, hear new perspectives, and share wisdom.

Film is currently one of the most popular forms of storytelling. Through developments in media and technology, movies can reach wider audiences. But especially, when working in the film industry with a large consumption rate, it is significant to expose new ideas and tell untold or underdeveloped stories.

The reason film, in particular, can be so exciting, is because there are fewer physical limitations (within reason...and budget) and you can let creativity and imagination run wild. It is a great opportunity to showcase a nuanced look at life and capture a moment in time.

The world survives on storytelling, but more often than not, it is a similar narrative being portrayed on film. And a lot of times, that has to do with the production and creative teams, and where the money is coming from.

Unfortunately, it is difficult to break into this world of film. The industry thrives on connections: who knows who from what or a good old case of nepotism. This is not to discredit any of the work that may come from these connections; it is merely to point out that it’s all an entangled web of interrelation. As much as this can be frustrating, it is (to a point) understandable and just the way the world works. Though many people may feel like the Dan Humphreys of the film industry, it is important to remember why we do the work we do. To tell stories and uplift voices and communities. Ultimately, to make an audience feel something.

This is also why creating these works yourself becomes important.

Starting out, almost all roles must be taken on yourself. As a filmmaker, you may become the director, cinematographer, editor, and casting director...some even take on the roles of writing the piece in itself. This sounds like a lot of work, and it is, but it is also one that is incredibly rewarding.

If a production has a big budget, you rarely get the final say. A lot of times, there is less creative liberty, more limitations, and more compromise that gets put into these films. If you are doing the work yourself or with the help of other friends and peers in the industry, all the major decisions and big moments are yours to choose. There are downfalls to both, however, you cannot let the negativity leak into the work, no matter what problems may occur.

I find myself working with the people around me who hold similar values, want to create similar stories, and that I can work well with. This tends to be working with other female artists, and letting their voices shine through as well. Surrounding yourself with people who inspire you and provoke you to do the best work you can is really helpful when working in a demanding role.

Being a woman in this industry, you must ensure your value will not be taken for granted. Not just in film, this applies to any workplace where there is any form of inequity...which is almost all. It is easier said than done, but working somewhere where you feel appreciated makes a drastic difference in the final product. Whether this is on screen or off, your voice does matter.

But things are starting to shift. New narratives are getting written and people are fighting for their place.

So, keep sharing stories and keep your voice loud.

It is a rapidly changing industry and one that can be incredibly brutal. It is crucial to take care of yourself and take moments to be still. No one’s story is linear and comparing yourself to others is a waste of your mental capacity. Instead, spend that time creating. Whether it is recording a self-tape on your phone or writing a new screenplay, keep on working. People are eager to listen.