I find myself in need of perspective recently. Sometimes when I feel stuck in a rut or doubting myself, I think about (roll your eyes all you want, but it really works) what the kid version of myself would think of me now.
I always loved art. Arts and crafts projects would constantly explode out of the closet in my family’s living room, much to my mother’s chagrin. Bookmaking, painting, collages, knitting, I tried it all. But I was never confident enough in myself to imagine that I would have a creative career. Of all my artistic endeavors, writing has always been simultaneously safe and threatening. And as an adult, on days spent staring at a blank word document, I have to remind myself that I get paid to type out diet tribes like this one.
Not only do I get to write, but I also have the immense honor of working with artists. Uncovering what makes them tick is the most rewarding aspect of what I do. This magazine was created with the mission to give filmmakers a platform to do just that.
In this issue, along with my fellow writers Alli Albion and Camille Wilson, you’ll find no shortage of perspective. Whether for indies or blockbusters, advertising or entertainment, the creatives included within share a look into how some of the industry’s most exciting projects were finished. Read on to learn more about Theda Hammel’s Stress Positions, Lance Oppenheim’s SPERMWORLD, Netflix’s Eric, and Sasha Kasiuha’s use of AI for Madonna’s World Celebration Tour.
To bookend my conclusion, I’ll leave you with this bit of perspective. No matter where you are in your career, you’re living someone’s dream. And I know if young me could see me now, she would be proud. Special thanks to Gabriela Elder for letting me do this and for putting up with the whiplash of sincerity (like this note) and jokes (almost everything else I write).
Send me any questions, comments, or dad jokes at ellie.powers@harborpicturecompany.com. Enjoy.
– Ellie Powers
