We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Catherine Brabec a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Catherine thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Before we get into specifics, let’s talk about success more generally. What do you think it takes to be successful?
Success is so many things and I think it is something I am constantly redefining. Its about being able to choose projects I have a passion for and that have personal meaning. It’s about creating projects that impact social change and environmental issues. It’s about motivating others to do the same. It’s about contributing in ways to help and encourage others who are just starting their career journeys. To get there you need perseverance, you need courage, and you need to be able to find joy and meaning and fun in the every day, in the small achievements. Choosing a creative life and career is not always the easiest or most stable path financially. You’ve got to be able to weather the lean times and not question your worth while you’re in the middle of it. I find it helpful to approach big projects by breaking it down into smaller steps. Sometimes looking at the big picture can be incredibly daunting, and so by creating small achievable goals day by day or week by week really helps to keep the project progressing!
Catherine, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I am a filmmaker, director, and editor and I work across genres – documentary, commercials, branded content. I work with a variety of clients, creating content for fashion, tech, and lifestyle brands across multiple platforms. Clients seek me out to create content that gets inside the heart and soul of their brand with unforgettable stories, characters and strong visual imagery. My journey into in the world of visual storytelling was kind of accidental and unplanned. Music was my first love and obsession- I was immersed in studying classical piano when an opportunity to work with a small production company in New York came about. This opened the door to learning all aspects of production and I completely fell in love with it! I literally started from the ground up, sweeping the studio floor to casting and location scouting. I went on to learn editing and eventually moved into directing. Music continues to be a driving force, with music scoring and sound design being a big part of the creative process on every project I produce.
My approach to filmmaking is built on the power of personal stories. I believe in film’s unique ability to connect us and offer new perspectives. Whether I’m creating a feature film, commercials, web content, or social media stories, my aim is always to reach an emotional place. What really excites me is creating moments that stay in your mind long after the video ends. My background in music along with writing and editorial skills, are the backbone of my creative process. I’m able to approach each project holistically, from the initial idea to the final cut, making sure that every story I tell is not just seen, but deeply felt.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
The rewards of a creative life and career are so rich and layered. I find incredible joy in being able to make something tangible from what started just as a thought or an idea, and watch it grow and come to life. I thrive in a collaborative environment and love how the creative process makes deeper connections with the team you are working with. No two days are ever the same, each project is completely unique. I am constantly learning- about the subject, the product, the process. The technology and equipment we use in production and post-production is constantly changing and you have to stay on top of it all. Being creative is also to be a problem solver and you need to be open to approach problems and challenges with in new ways. The bottom line for me is that being a creative opens the door to doing meaningful work that satisfies my heart and soul. And its fun, let’s not forget that!
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
My goals are all around growth- personally and professionally. I really believe it’s personal growth that impacts my professional journey, and it’s impossible to separate the two. I’m committed to becoming a better storyteller, to become better at the craft of filmmaking, to doing everything I can to nurture myself and grow as an artist. Keeping open, keeping discovery alive. This includes travel, writing workshops, networking with other artists and filmmakers- it’s all fuel for growth with creative life. It’s not always easy! There is an aspect of risk taking and being able to pick yourself up when things don’t go as planned. Embracing failure as your greatest opportunity to learn is a big part of growing creatively.
Contact Info:
- Website: catherinebrabec.com
- Instagram: catherinbrabec_films
- Facebook: Catherine Brabec
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/catherinebrabec/
