We recently connected with Jessica Hinkson and have shared our conversation below.
Jessica, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.
I am in development for my first feature, CONCRETE MARSHMALLOW- Inspired by my life and personal health journey,
it is a film about the direct correlation between unresolved trauma, illness, and the shift from the dissociation of flight, fawning, and flee to psychological fluidity by way of radical self-acceptance.
Concrete Marshmallow’s universality lies in its exploration of trauma. It seeks to shift the lens from focusing solely on “the happening, the event” to investigating how trauma imprints itself on one’s soul.
“The miracle of life is not that we have it; most of us wake up every day and agree to fight for it, to hold it in our arms when it squirms to get away.” ~ Sloan Crosley
Telling stories that matter, which are women-centric, about real experiences that continue to shape and mould our lives’ journey, furthers my understanding, deepening, awareness and investigation as a storyteller; it is a privilege.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
Jessica is an independent filmmaker. Her films have garnered numerous international awards and have been broadcast on CBC, Amazon Prime and Highball TV. In 2021, she obtained the Women in Film Screenplay Award from the Oscar-qualifying HollyShorts Film Festival with her film SARA. Hinkson graduated from The Neighborhood Playhouse and was mentored by Terry Schreiber. Jess is a full member of UBCP/ACTRA, a proud member of WIFT-Toronto and an Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television member. Her career highlights include being a multi-Stowe Story Labs alumnae and founder of Hello, Darling Pictures. “Hello, Darling,” because that’s what my Mom always says. Based in Toronto, Canada, an indie production company for the good of the good and to fill hearts with our hearts’ stories.” She is part of the prestigious Women in the Director’s Chair Story & Leadership Program with her first feature, CONCRETE MARSHMALLOW, also in development with C’mon Mort Productions.
Be proud of all you do, especially the failures or perhaps what you deem a dumpster fire experience. The deal is you had the experience. What is the takeaway, what was gained, and what was lost? If you can step outside the scenario, reflect, and be accountable, that incites your growth. Celebrate the wins and appreciate the “no’s.” Like life, the journey through an independent career is not linear. And you know what? All that anxiety around having everything done and achieved by a particular time is not true- On your own time at your pace. We don’t have control over much but we can live a mindful, conscious, beautiful life.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
Stories that ignite from wanting to curate a sense of empathy around the perception of emotional/mental wellness and the process of shame, grief, and trauma.
Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?
A teacher I worked with told me, “Get strong inside.” For so long, I had ideas about what that meant, but the actual understanding didn’t land in my body until my first surgery in 2015: who you surround yourself with matters. I spent so long trying to fit in and be accepted, and I was accommodating for fear of being, unliked when the unresolved trauma I had was what needed me most. Investigating and interviewing your support is something I wish someone had told me about. Just because they are doctors, therapists, or yoga teachers does not mean you are compatible. Working with people who advocate for you on all levels is crucial.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.jessicahinkson.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jess_hinkson/?hl=en
Image Credits
For my main headshot, please credit Farrah Aviva.