We were lucky to catch up with Stephanie Haff recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Stephanie, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.
How much space do I have?! ;-)
I’ve worked as an actress throughout most of my life, along side working in the fitness industry and raising my family. I’ve always had an interest in writing and directing. Up until recently, I had only directed small stage productions and as far as writing goes, have been in the process of writing my first book.
A little of two years ago, my 30 year old niece shared with me a story that her husband had experienced. I was incredibly moved by it and took the opportunity to share it with several other people who were also greatly moved. About a week later, the Lord impressed on my heart to make this story into a film. But at that time, even though I had worked in the industry for a long time, I did not know how to write and produce a film… My mind went immediately to other filmmakers that were in my network. But then God said, “Stephanie, you do it.” With that clear instruction, I no longer saw it as an option but as an act of obedience to the Lord. I knew that as I stayed close to Him in my walk with Him, that he would guide and provide.
Two of the people that I shared the story with were Venus Monique and Sharonne Lanier. Little did I know that they too felt the Lord had been calling them into film production. We then began meeting together via zoom, as we are all spread out between Pennsylvania, Georgia and Texas. We dove right in to defining our “why” we wanted to move together in this way and started to lay the foundation for what would become Kerusso Production Company.
When the discussion arose for our first project, there seemed to be no hesitation that this true story on my heart was the one to be developed into our first short film together that later would be called, Daisy.
I shared that the Lord was then leading me to write the screen play. Whaaaat?! I don’t know how to do that. But with every instruction from the Lord, I took a step and each time when I took that step of obedience, He provided a place for my foot to land. So, I downlaoded a screen writing app, handed the story over to the Lord, and asked him to move through my fingers as I typed. And he did. I spent about a year…or more…developing the script. Sharing my work with Venus and Sharonne and reaching out to seasoned screenwriters for feedback. With screen writing being so very different than writing anything else, I learned so much through the process…and still have much to learn ahead. #neverstoplearning
Once we felt the script was in a good place we began to pick up speed on pre-production of Daisy. Producing, was something I thought I’d never do. The recognition that I have an interest and passion for having a hand in the overall filmmaking process as opposed to solely contributing as an actor became very clear about 6 years ago when at the same time, I decided to discontinue my work in the fitness industry and funnel my work and creative energy into the film industry alone. To be able to work together alongside Venus and Sharonne has been amazing as we have been able to both discuss and contribute our gifts, skills and interests into the different areas of producing.
Ever since I can remember, I have been able to articulate my passion to be involved in telling stories that have great impact and that inspire positive transformation in myself and others. To have had a hand in writing, producing and directing this story has been incredibly fulfilling for me. Part of that fufillment has to do with reflecting on my entire life and seeing how God has been preparing and aligning my desries with His soverign and perfect purposes. Particularly when working as a creative can be often filled with discouragement and inconsistency.
As our team moved through the all consuming task of pre-production, it was agreed upon that I would indeed direct Daisy as well. Yet again. Something I hadn’t done before; directed a film. Because I have had an interest in it, I had been studying film directing already for the past couple years. Actually doing it however, is certainly how we learn best. I was honored to be entrusted with this task, a bit nervous and completely dependent on the Lord.
Now, in post-production, I can say directing has been the most joyous experience work-wise and creatively, that I have ever walked through. From pre-production to production and now, through post production – joy!
Another aspect that has been highlighted through this journey is my passion for and the beauty of collaboration; working together, listening, sharing, entrusting other committed and skilled people – with the goal of excellence and life changing impact. As a producer, this is a highlight for me; seeing gifts in others and drawing them all together to make something powerful and beautiful.
The story we call Daisy, touches on several themes, and has a strong intent to shine the light on the darkness and point to the lifesaving love of Jesus. Indeed the most, all encompassing, most meaningful project I’ve worked on, to date.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I grew up always interested in the arts; gymnastics, dance, drawing, photography and starting in my teens into adulthood, martial arts, earning a 3rd degree black belt in taekwondo. Initially, dance was my primary way of expression. Then, stage acting began for me as a teen as well, when I was a part of our church drama team where we would perform relevant skits during the church service. Soon after, I was encouraged to get into modeling from which I also had the opportunity to be exposed to work in large studio film productions and commercials. Once I got a taste of the process of film and television, I was hooked! That is what I found myself energized by, no matter the size of the paycheck. By nature, I was not someone with a loud stage voice. I was consistently told to “project Stephanie!”. With film, I was captivated by the up-closeness and realness that film offered over stage where everything is bigger and exaggerated so that the audience can see you. The subtleties in the art of being a film actor continue to be fascinating to me whether its a slight contraction of the eyes or barely there curl of the lips. The fact that in acting done well, so much will be communicated through the eyes, solely based on specific thoughts of the actor, is absolute brilliance to me.
It was my senior year of high school when I knew that modeling and acting is all I wanted to do. I went to school until 11;30 each day which gave me the availability to do that work. However, any artist knows work can be inconsistent, so I always had a “consistent” job as well – everything from being a nanny to a waitress.
After high school I spent a summer in Toronto, Canada pursuing work as it is a place where there is always a plethora of work opportunities. As a Christian and growing up with a strong moral compass, there was however, many jobs I was not willing to do. My agents would tell me that I’m “never going to make it” and that I “just have to take whatever I could get”. Thankfully, Gods grace covered me and and I held onto the truth that I wasn’t living for worldly success but rather true success which later I have been able to verbalize as “daily obedience to the Lord.” That, what ever form that takes, is true success.
A year after my summer in Toronto. I got married and moved to North Carolina. Thankfully, everywhere I lived there after, includeing Florida and back to Pennsylvania, I was able to also secure an agent. Alongside print work and acting, I worked as a group fitness instructor and personal trainer alongside raising my family.
I’ve always been someone interested in doing a variety of things, especially creative things. However, as I was nearing my fortieth birthday, I began to be keenly aware that I was spreading myself to thin. I prayed and asked God to lead me in which area to pursue. It became very clear that I would be stepping out of the fitness industry in order to better focus on my ever growing interest in film.
It when then that I began expanding my network of faith-based and independent film makers. It was a whole new world to me. After working in the secular entertainment industry for most of my life I felt incredibly refreshed to be in a community of creatives that were so encouraging, God focused and connecting. What was most energizing was that this was a community of filmmakers that were also living for a purpose beyond themselves. It wasn’t about “how ahead can I get” but rather “how can we work together to further give God glory through our work.” There is a certain fulfillment that comes with living for God and others as opposed to living for any selfish gain.
It was about two years later that I felt the Lord nudging me to writing, producing and directing. In order to do that well, once again, I would need to elimate an area of work I was putting energy into. That area was acting. Resisting much at first, I slowly stepped away form auditioning for acting work, so that I could more wholly invest my time in learning and growing as a writer, producer and director. This in turn paved the road to developing our production company along with Venus and Sharonne, as well as writing, producing and directing our first short film together.
What’s awesome, is to look back over the course of my life and see how God has grown me personally as well as prepared me professionally, for where I am now. God is faithful. May his will be done in my life.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
For as long as I can remember, I have had a strong passion to be involved in stories that make a difference in this world and even more importantly, for eternity. As I’ve grown, that passion has only deepened. It has been wonderful to be involved in meaningful productions, whether through investment, prayer, as an actress, and now as a writer, producer or director.
I know how very powerful media can be. It was Frank Capra who said, “No saint, no pope, no general, no sultan, has ever had the power that a filmmaker has; the power to talk to hundreds of millions of people for two hours in the dark.” This as we know, can be used for the positive or negative however. For me, it’s the sharing of the truth that energizes me most. This might be the retelling of someone’s personal story or highlighting the truth of the gospel and all that Jesus Christ is. In fact, this very idea has become part of our mission statement for our production company, Kerusso Productions. Venus, Sharonne and I, as a team, are committed to first investing in our daily walk with the Lord and trust that He will lead us to and through the stories He wants us to tell – even those stories or subjects that may not be easy to talk about. If the Lord is leading us, we trust the Lord will provide everything we need in order to help carry out His purposes. There is nothing more important to me than that.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
The most rewarding aspect of being a creative is not only the fulfillment and energy that I experience when I create, but seeing or hearing about how others are positively impacted by whatever was created be it a writing, a photograph, a reel, or a film.
The Lord has developed in me many passions and I can say everything that I am passionate about was birthed through pain in my life, difficulty or challenges. It’s so awesome how God can do that in our lives. Nothing is wasted.
To sum it up, it’s the idea of transformation that gives me so much joy. Whether it’s transformation that I experience or that I see in others, through Gods grace. To see others moved, challenged, inspired or encouraged for the better due to a project I was involved in – what a reward.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.stephaniehaff.com
- Other: https://www.kerussoproductions.com
