Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Kate Rees Davies. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Alright, Kate thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you take us back in time to the first dollar you earned as a creative – how did it happen? What’s the story?
The first time I earned money as a creative, was when I booked an acting role on a HSBC Commercial in Sydney Australia in 2008. I hadn’t been acting very long but had signed up to a background work agency. I was called by them as they needed a British female to audition for the role. When I walked into the audition, it was like walking into a hall of mirrors, I’d never seen so many women who looked like me. Two days later I got a call back and thought the agency had made a mistake. I had little experience or training as an actor so they must have just liked my look. The third audition was with the director and after some rehearsals I was sent for a wardrobe fitting. My call time was 6pm but I was finished at by 10pm. When I got the pay check, I couldn’t believe it. It came out to the equivalent of approx $500 per hour. This was a nice welcome to the entertainment industry but unfortunately the work is not consistent.
Kate, 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?
As a film director and producer, I have already made a name for myself in the industry. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, I have created six short films that have been featured at Cannes short film corner, and my work has been distributed by Sony and has had a US theatrical release. My love for film began at a young age. Growing up in Wales, UK, I was always captivated by the magic of cinema and knew that I wanted to pursue a career in film. After working in the corporate world and traveling the globe for many years, I realized my passion for storytelling was the one thing missing from my life. So in 2007 I moved to Sydney Australia to study filmmaking and acting. I spent years honing my craft, studying film techniques and exploring different genres, until I was finally able to make my mark as a director in Los Angeles in 2011. After getting distribution and a theatrical release for my feature film, Altered Perception, I was considered for a newcomers award at the prestigious Directors Guild of America. Despite this success, I am always looking to push myself to new heights. I am passionate about creating stories that are engaging and thought-provoking and I thrive on the process of bringing them to life on the big screen. As such, I am eager to expand my horizons and explore the world of television.
After moving to Los Angeles in 2009, I enrolled in the directing certificate program at UCLA, Years after I graduated, I was thrilled when they asked me if I would like to teach film students in the UCLA Extension program. My first class was in 2018, teaching Directing Workshop 1 – Composition and Movement. The feedback I received from students was so overwhelmingly positive, that it inspired me to start my own teaching program online aimed at Diverse filmmakers. The Directors Chair 5050 Workshop is an online 10 week course . It is an advanced filmmaking course that encourages diverse storytelling and prepares it’s participants for next level success. Personally I feel there is no greater gift than helping others achieve their goals and this workshop fills a huge gap in an industry which is still starved of stories from diverse communities and storytellers. I am so proud to say that 85% of workshop participants have been POC and over two thirds of them have been women. The next workshop will commence in early 2024.
Have you ever had to pivot?
Just after the Pandemic lock down, I got laid off from my production job in downtown LA. Shortly after that, I decided to pivot and trained online to get my Covid Compliance Officer certificate. Before long, I was working on production sets, making sure everyone was wearing masks, following Covid rules and social distancing. This job was very lucrative and I ended up working with talent that included Alicia Keys, Camila Cabello and Ru Paul. The jobs were incredibly varied and I got to work on many interesting productions. I also got a 5 week job in the UK working on a TV Quiz show. I also transitioned into doing Covid testing on set and got a 3 month job working on the Barbie TiK Tok account. This was so much fun, getting to watch the design team stage the Barbie dolls in various locations and situations. Despite the contract work I got during the Pandemic, I also developed an idea for the documentary Fragile World.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
My ultimate goal as a director/producer is to work in TV and film at the studios. Although I have done most of my projects on an independent basis, I feel after directing a feature film in five days on a very low/no budget, which ended up getting a theatrical distribution deal in 10 cities in the US and a Canadian DVD & Streaming deal, I can handle anything. I love period dramas and action and have many ideas I have written. During the Pandemic I developed a mini series idea about Marilyn Monroe and the last 6 months of her life. My dream job would be to direct a James Bond movie, getting to develop story ideas and plan exciting stunts would give me immense joy. It’s about time women got a chance to helm a film in this franchise.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.katereesdavies.com
- Instagram: myfabuloushollywoodlife
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kate.r.davies.1/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-rees-davies-7baaa359/