We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Chase Pickford. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Chase below.

Hi Chase, thanks for joining us today. Are you happy as a creative professional? Do you sometimes wonder what it would be like to work for someone else?

If I had a nickel for every time I thought about working a regular 9 to 5 I’d have enough money not to be a struggling artist. For a long time, I felt that having such a thought must mean that I’m in the wrong field. But I’ve come to realize that thinking about other career paths doesn’t make you less devoted to your current one. It makes your love of art informed instead of blind. I love filmmaking for better or for worse for all the things it is and despite the things it is not. Working a normal job would be easier in the sense that things are guaranteed. It’s easier to live a balanced life, it’s easier to maintain personal relationships, it’s easier to not tie up your self-worth in your achievements. But ease doesn’t equate to happiness. I may be stressed and financially unstable at times, but I’m far happier than I would be doing anything else.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Since I was a kid, my brain has always worked in metaphors. I was personifying random objects and navigating the world through stories before I even knew how to read them. Decades later this remains true, with more literacy of course.

My love of stories led me to filmmaking, which led me to film school, and down a path I never could’ve dreamed of. Nearly two years ago, during a downpour of feminist rants and dreams with two friends, we decided to launch our own independent production company – Subtext Studios. Today, with the loving support of my friends and co-founders, London Viduarri and Alana Satriano, our dream has been steadily growing.

Subtext is all about what’s unsaid. It’s the thoughts and emotions of the scene and on a larger scale the heart of the story. In a greater context, subtext represents unheard voices. The topics, feelings, and stories all around us, that are waiting to be told. This is our core belief at Subtext Studios. We strive to tell meaningful stories, support minority artists, and speak to the feminine experience.

This year alone, Subtext Studios has produced four indie shorts tackling topics of racial injustice, queerness, and girlhood. Currently, we offer our expertise, team, and assets for all forms of productions including narrative filmmaking, commercials, advertisements, and music videos.

Check out our work and collaborative potential at www.subtext-studios.com

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

The biggest dominating force in my creative journey is my goal to speak to the feminine experience. I want to tell stories for women and by women. Stories that unpack the struggles we face personally, professionally, and internally. Further, stories tackling subjects like bodily agency, vulnerability, abuse, fragility, motherhood, and simply girlhood.

For years I battled internalized misogyny. I avoided having many female friendships, hated the color pink, and rejected all things “girly”. Embracing womanhood was life-changing for me. It’s helped me understand myself more, let go of unnecessary shame, and find unity in my experiences. It’s hard to be a woman in this world. But it’s even harder to do it alone.

Ultimately, I want my work to continue the conversation of what it means to be a woman.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

The hardest lesson I’ve had to unlearn is not to do everything myself. Believe it or not, no one is perfect. I very well could write, produce, direct, and edit my own short film. But it wouldn’t better the project or my mental sanity. Letting go of creative control opens the door for collaboration. Others may bring something to the project that I never would’ve thought to do in a million years.

Acknowledging your strengths and weaknesses will be an ongoing process. However, acknowledging areas creatively where you may not be the strongest allows others to bring their expertise to the table. It’s hard especially when you’ve been with a project since day one. It’s hard to put it in someone else’s hands and trust that they’ll do it justice. But without that trust, you’re only limiting yourself, your relationships, and the potential of the project.

I’m so incredibly grateful and humbled to have worked with so many exceptionally talented and passionate individuals. Artists who have shown me the magic of collaboration and brought insight to my creative endeavors.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.subtext-studios.com/
• Instagram: @Subtext_Studios
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/subtext-studios/

Image Credits

Image two by Alana Satriano, featuring Ava Acres, Aman Shah, and London Viduarri on the set of Virtually Perfect

Images one, three, and four taken by @melon_melis on the set of GirlTalk, featuring GirlTalk cast and crew hard at work.