Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Hope Karwoski. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hope, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

It’s kind of funny to talk about but I don’t remember a time that I was not drawn to this world. I think, in my bones, I have always been a performer. My parents and I spent a lot of time watching TV and movies…. I was enthralled… Friends and SNL to The Man from Snowy River and Indiana Jones to Bad Boys and Die Hard… I wanted to be a part of it all. I remember the first time I made an actual joke (or likely a sarcastic comment of sorts) and people genuinely laughed…they felt happy, because of me, and I felt ALIVE (well… as alive and actualized as a kid under 5 could feel ;)… I remember thinking “oh.. THIS… I want THIS… forever” I think my path, so to speak, was set from then on. I was always playing “House” or different pretend games coming up with characters and stories and acting them out.. I was in all of the church plays and skits, school musicals, plays, and shows, and even on a local improv team for a while. Funnily enough, and in full transparency, I never really thought about it / or let myself think about it as a possible career option but there was absolutely nothing else I wanted to do (silly I know). HOWEVER, A year out of high school a friend and I made the move to the “Big City”.. A somewhat easy drive home but still felt like a big step in the dream chasing direction, aka dear ol’ Nashville, TN. Lucky for me, there was a beautiful, alive, and quickly growing film community here, waiting to encourage me to get it together and start taking this thing (and myself) more seriously.

Hope, 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?

Oh goodness, WELL first of all, thank you for having me, It’s a good reminder to slow down a bit and evaluate how and why we do this, whatever it may be… So thank you.

I am an actor and producer based in Nashville, TN though I love to travel (for work and play). I suppose I am a human (I don’t suppose.. I am, I promise.) just trying to live life to the fullest, create often, and have as much impact and fun as possible.
I am originally from Davenport, Iowa (the flat one that is corn..not potatoes).. When people learn or hear that, most are like “Oh I’ve never been there” and my response is always, “Well yep that makes sense.”.. And that is our whole conversation about Iowa.
I have been in love with tv and film since I can remember.. It was always the most interesting and exciting thing in the world to me, and I wanted to be a part of it… In any capacity.
A little over 10 years ago I moved here for both opportunity and a little change of scenery. I signed with an agent and joined an acting class shortly after which became an incredible community and support system for me (still is to this day). Eventually, I became a little discouraged and tired of waiting for auditions and hopeful opportunities to fall into my lap.. I wanted to be involved. A dear friend was a significant part of the film community in town and got me a production assistant gig. (I believe everyone should wait tables and be a production assistant at least once in their lives.. work ethic and character building masterclasses right there ;). It just started snowballing from there, as they say and I started taking higher positions and bigger projects. I made myself available, said yes to everything for a while (I am forever thankful to those who gave me those opportunities and kept asking).
I fell in love with every aspect of the process, anything and everything to do with it. The collaboration, the long hours, the community, the work, the equipment, the problem solving, the hustle… wrapped up in a bow all because we get to imagine, create, and tell stories.

On the production side, I am a freelance Producer full time while also running a production company (Stormlight Pictures) with my lovely partner (both in business and in life, oops), Logen Christopher.
As a producer (and in my everyday life), my focus is always on connection… connection not only with the audience or viewers, but also the clients/ artists/ crew / team etc.
I believe what sets me apart in this industry is my genuine care and curiosity of people (which includes their art and their stories). I think everyone deserves a seat at the table or at least should get a chance to prove that they do. Atmosphere and energy are extremely important to me. Part of my job is to plan and create environments in prep and on set where everyone feels heard, safe and trusted to execute the job that I have hired them to do, with excellence. So then we get to play.

This business isn’t easy. I am a person that wants to experience everything, and give space for others to experience things, and it’s important, to me personally to prioritize joy in all things. So I would say that I am most proud that this is still true. Despite the ups and downs, I look at the people around me and the goals and direction of my life and I am just thankful, extremely proud, ready, and excited to keep going.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

From concept to completion, I hope to infuse each project with a dynamic energy, collaborating with top talent, both in front of and behind the camera, to push boundaries and deliver impactful experiences. I want to do everything in my power to honor and elevate any vision and help the heart of the story shine through. I am a very curious person… I love people and stories. Figuring out what makes people tick, and what all possible outcomes may be. It can be overwhelming but also exhilarating. I will chase it for the rest of my life in any capacity I am able.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

I mean, literally the entire concept is rewarding. Even the hardest, most stressful and ridiculous days on set, are the best days. It is the most satisfying thing in the world to make the seemingly impossible work and solve these unique problems. The tangible manifestation of something that you can watch and share. There is a common language with this medium. Film gives space and evokes every feeling, every emotion, and every experience. It can make anyone feel understood or like they belong. What a cool thing.
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Contact Info:

• Website: stormlightpictures.com
• Instagram: thereal_hopek
• Facebook: Hope Karwoski
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hope-karwoski-626b02254/
• Other: IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm7513899/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_0_nm_1_q_hope%2520karwoski