Kate Dennis- Director
Kate Dennis has an impressive resume and a good attitude to her job-TV/Film Director. She has clearly taken a few knocks but has not let these get the better of her. Her first piece of advice for working on a set was “never sit down and learn when to shut up”. Okay learning when to shut up has never been my strong point!
The majority of her talk was a timeline of her career. She started as a clapper loader, then worked as a continuity person and directed second unit’s on films. She is now receiving job offers as a both a writer and director. Gosh, the truth is the more she talked the more I realized how much I would not want to direct.
At the moment on the little projects I am doing for Uni I am directing my work because I am enjoying the control it gives me. But, lets be honest I do not want to direct. The way Kate talked about it, it sounded so tedious. And, continuity would bore me. I wish I was good at jobs I dislike but unfortunately when I am intellectually un-stimulated I am not good at my job.
Kate also alluded to the glass ceiling that exists for females in the industry. From what I have seen it is still predominantly a boys industry. People such as Sherry Lansing have certainly paved the way, but I think men are still preferred in this industry.
I admire Kate for her ambition and constant up beat attitude to the industry. Regardless of her setbacks she has continued to reach for her goals. An interesting point Kate mentioned was that she thought she might have been too cautious at times. She mentioned some in the industry who take a “don’t care attitude” and just leap in not knowing everything but simply with a desire to achieve. I think I have also been too cautious in the past and would prefer to be a person who jumps and looks later.
So Carpe Diam!
