We were lucky to catch up with Danielle Bowman recently and have shared our conversation below.
Danielle, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today If you could go back in time do you wish you had started your creative career sooner or later?
Absolutely sooner! But you can’t live in the past. I always wanted to be in this industry, but I spent too many years thinking it wasn’t possible. Finally, I transitioned into the film industry about 5 years ago and juggled a full time career at the same time for the first 18 months. I knew I’d “found my people” in film and work hard to create a situation where I could walk away from my day job. Although it was a scary decision, it was also the best decision I have ever made. That isn’t to say it’s always easy to make ends meet, but knowing that my future is completely in my hands, does help me focus on hustling, marketing and submitting to drive business. I also started from the very beginning working both sides of the camera as an Actress, as well as, as a 1st Assistant Director, Production Manager and a Producer. So this allows me to maximize my opportunities for success.
Danielle, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I am an Actress, Assistant Director, Production Manager and a Producer in the film industry. I’ve only been in this business for about 5 years and before that I spent 15+ years as an Operations Manager directing sales and customer service teams. I always had the desire to be in the film industry, but it always felt elusive as to how to get in. When I started, I knew no one. But, starting small, I joined some local short film groups and they were so welcoming and I learned so much. With every production, my skills and confidence grew…along with my network! And now, I work full time in the film industry on both sides of the camera. Have I worked on any HUGE productions?…Not yet, but most ‘working’ people in this industry, regularly work and you have no idea who they are. I’ve always kept the mindset that I couldn’t care less if I am ever famous or known…as long as I can keep progressing in this industry and keep working doing what I love, that I will be happy. Being on set is my favorite place to be!
As I think back on these last 5 years, I am proud of myself for having the courage to try, the courage to fail and the determination to not give up on my dream.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
There is one thing I always try to keep in mind and that is that this is truly a journey and you’d better enjoy the ride! That isn’t to say that I don’t plan and set goals, but in a freelance career like the film industry, there are lots of twists and turns. Every gig I work is like the interview for future work. Every audition I complete is a potential booking in the future. Another thing that drives me is to try and “fall in love” with every aspect of the work I do. On the Actress end, I keep in mind that ‘the job’ is actually auditioning. Booking the job is just the gravy. I have grown to absolutely love the audition process. Honing my craft and providing Producers with my take on the character. On the other side of the camera there’s a million big and little details that go into any production. Building schedules, reports, call sheets, shot lists etc…So I tap into my organizational skills and get real satisfaction out of organizing the chaos
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
Maybe more negative self talk than a lesson, but a bit of retraining my brain. Too many of us with a dream never act on it because of our own fears and that keeps us from our true potential. Mine was that ‘I’m too old’ to completely switch careers and get into the film industry. Told myself that for years. Then I had an epiphany. What’s the absolute worst that’ll happen if I try and fail? The answer is really nothing. The worst that happens when I complete an audition or submit for a crew position…is that I don’t book it. That’s it. I simply had to work on my own fear of rejection and in this industry, you get lots of practice with that. But you also have amazing moments when you work hard and book the gig. Best feeling in the world. Ultimately, I think anyone with a dream they haven’t pursued probably comes down to some kind of fear holding them back. I know it did for me.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: www.http://instagram.com/daniellebowman98
- Facebook: www.http://facebook.com/danielle.bowman.16
- Other: www.http://imdb.me/daniellejbowman