Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jennifer Van Heeckeren. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Jennifer , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.
Why take a risk? Great question!
Honestly, I think that taking risks are where the “good stuff” is. For me, my biggest risks have been two things – living unabashedly as an artist and love. There’s actually something I read recently and I can’t stop thinking about it.
“Living less like a noun and more like a verb.”
We aren’t ‘people, places or thing’s. We are ‘doings’ and beings’. What ‘we do’ about a situation is the gamut. And to me, as long as you aren’t hurting yourself or other people – ‘what’s the worst that can happen by taking a risk? You get embarrassed? Or worse, promoted? From what I see, the world gets robbed if you aren’t being you and the key to risk is by being yourself and utilising your gifts.
Okay, for instance, I perform at these variety night’s in LA. All over the place and with these larger than life characters and this one night – I’m doing this sketch as me, acting as Kristin Chenoweth, acting as a working GPS. I know, wild. But hear me out. I had this far fetched idea and this woman from an underground organisation called WIMPS comes up to me after the show and asks if I wrote that particular sketch. I said yes. I wrote most of the show but that one was the most vulnerable. Anyway, we exchange emails and a week later, I got an audition for SNL. I swear, digging deep and doing what your heart pummels you for, has to be the secret.
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?
About me?
I am a comedian and lady. I write, act produce and direct comedies. I have been in over 50 films and won 9 International Film Awards. Trained extensively in London, Sydney and Los Angeles, creating is a daily practise and I am grateful for the opportunities to do what I love. My passion is comedy and promoting women.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
You know what comes to mind about unlearning a lesson, is this perilous idea of perfection.
I am a huge perfectionist, which in comedy, is a real ball buster.
Wading through the bad ideas can lead you to some of the good ones and even then, there’s rewrites and “Let’s shoot one more for safety”. Some of my worst mistakes I thought “destroyed the project” ended up being the best part about it. I think in this medium of creation, you can’t lie or be half assed about it either. The camera or audience inevitably see’s through it. So this idea of perfection can lose the magic we’re inherently seeking.
The other kicker, the longer you take protecting a perfect project, the project itself can get stale or outdated. I sat on things I wish I didn’t, due to the fear of perfection.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
The most rewarding aspect of being an artist is thrill and expression of creativity. It’s such a lucky place to be and utterly limitless.
Living artistically is habitual and the discipline is rewarding.
The growth you feel in yourself and within the artistic communities can’t be computer generated. It’s a feeling and get’s deeper over time. Art really taps into that special wonder, I think in all of us.
I get so much inspiration by others living in their creativity. The best collaborators are sharing ones. I’ve worked with some incredible people and the thread seems to be a sense of connection, togetherness. There’s a drive for something bigger. 
Contact Info:
- Website: https://vimeo.com/jennifervanheeckeren
- Instagram: @jenvanheeckeren
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jennifer.vanheeckeren/
- Other: www.lvhbyronbay.com
Image Credits
@_luisvillafranca_ @luckyfox.photo