We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Lauren McCann. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Lauren below.
Lauren, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What was the most important lesson/experience you had in a job that has helped you in your creative career?
Before I was an actor and filmmaker, I was a teacher. My love was working with young children and the kindergarten classroom was where I felt at home. There are so many things that young children teach you because of their openness to the world and their ability to play, discover and imagine. As a teacher, you have to plan your days, your lessons, differentiation etc, but when you are teaching 15 or so 5 year olds, you also have to be ready to toss those plans out the window. There are times where you simply have to be in the present moment with another human and help with their immediate needs what ever it may be. Young children teach you the importance of being present, listening and responding naturally to a given circumstance . All the skills that I good actor should have,
Lauren, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
As a filmmaker I want to make movies that show the strength of women. My 1st project Girl Boxer (www.girlboxermovie.com) was just that. It is a story of a struggling mother who is trying to make the best life for her child, but when faced with an opportunity to realize this dream must make a decision that could bring her to the dark side. I am now working on my second short film titled Miss Pink, where I am again I am looking to explore the multifaceted nature of women. I have always had a love of dark mob films such as the work of Guy Ritchie or Quentin Tarantino, it is a boys club and I feel we need a female voice in that world.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
Yes! When I was filming Girl Boxer we had a schedule set, equipment rented and spaces booked. A few days before we were sent to film, our pub location (A character in the story all on its own) closed. They closed FOREVER for good, we were not getting in there. With only a few days before we were set to start filming I needed to find an Irish Pub that would close for us on a Friday! I grabbed the family, but the baby on my back and pushed my daughter in her stroller and I went knocking on doors of Irish Pubs. I went to 4 different locations and 3 of them were willing to work with me. I believe in the power of human connection ! Or maybe it was the sweet kids :)
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
I am a people person. I love the human spirit and human connection. I believe that is what made me a good teacher. I was not only concerned about teaching the ABCs and 123s, I wanted to connect with each of my students and have them achieve on their terms by finding their voice. I take this with me when I am directing a film. I want my actors to feel strong and comfortable enough to play and make discoveries about their characters. I love creating an open environment where that can happen and we can come together to create and tell a story.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.lauren-mccann.com
- Instagram: laurenmccannofficial
Image Credits
Headshot: Bjoern Kommerell Still with little girl (my daughter) From Girl Boxer DP: Dominic Sivilli Still with me all bloody from upcoming film An Angry Boy by Andrew Fitzgerald Me with the flowers : Juan Pablo Barba