I want to make films that last

I have always longed to leave behind a creative legacy, something that will outlast me and eventually become a time capsule. I did not go to film school and I got my education by diving in and making my own short films. This sparked the passion to want to create something epic. I can look back at my little short films and laugh at my mistakes, but appreciate the triumphs. I dove head straight into period dramas set in the 1800s, which is one of my favorite eras, such as Madeline’s Oil, With My Soul, The Verses, and Seed of the Free. Capturing the essence of an era is such a challenge. It’s difficult because the setting and the costumes need to be perfectly accurate and the attention to detail is crucial. But being someone who always feels like they need to be climbing Mount Everest in order to feel normal I always love a challenge. I felt that if I could prove that I am capable in short form medium that maybe one day I could turn them into feature full length films or television series.

Directing with Alexander Jeffery on the set of With My Soul

Because Days of Daisy takes place in the modern day, it was hard for me to make it. My appreciation for history and time usually are what drive my creative interests, so making Daisy went against the grain for me. The modern day world does not feel as romantic or as interesting. The patina of “the old world” draws my soul. When I sit down to think about the projects I want to make next, I think about what I want to leave behind. Is this message important enough for me to dedicate my time to? Does the message drive me to have a finishing power? What is long term worth? What is the message I want to leave behind? Will people relate to the story and will it benefit anyone? With Days of Daisy, even though it wasn’t my favorite genre, I felt compelled that the message had to be given to the other people my age who felt left behind in the parenting world and who were looking for the same meaning in their lives that I did. Overall, I want to make films that last.

Originally I started to make films to keep my actress alive. There is so much waiting between projects, and I wanted challenging roles for myself. As much as I have enjoyed being in award winning films such as Dallas Buyers Club, having one or two jobs a year does not keep this creative brain fulfilled. I now have a goal to produce a play and a film every year. I always like having that impossible mountain to climb. As Oprah says in her book A Path Made Clear, “Your Kilimanjaro awaits.”