We recently connected with Chris Vanderhorst and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Chris, thank you so much for opening up with us about some important, but sometimes personal topics. One that really matters to us is overcoming Imposter Syndrome because we’ve seen how so many people are held back in life because of this and so we’d really appreciate hearing about how you overcame Imposter Syndrome.
It’s funny that Imposter Syndrome was on the list because it’s been on my mind so much lately. For years, I’ve thought of myself as someone who doesn’t really fit into the film community because I started later in life. I didn’t go to film school or have the connections that others had so I always undervalued myself. Even when I would hear people talk about me and my work in such high regard, it never really sunk in. I thought they were just being polite.
As of lately, I have taken a step back and really evaluated my work. I really enjoy what I’ve created so far. I make things that I would want to see and that really makes my work genuine. I’ve looked at the awards on my shelf and I am just now realizing that yes, I do deserve them. I worked hard on my projects and I deserve to celebrate my accomplishments.
The path that has gotten me to where I am isn’t the path that everyone has taken. Everyone has their own path. I do belong here and once I started to realize that, it opened me up to be even more creative and confident. It starts with yourself. Nobody is going to accept me until i accept myself.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I am a filmmaker in West Hills, California. I have a short film, Dear Santa, that recently premiered at Screamfest at the TCL Chinese Theatre. Dear Santa will also make it’s online debut this Thanksgiving on their YouTube channel.
I am currently writing a pilot called Violets that is in a final draft phase with hopes to shop it around in the near future.
My other goals are to work with other filmmakers on shorts and features. I love working in all genres but I think I gravitate to horror and anthology stories the most.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Three qualities that have significantly shaped my filmmaking journey are patience, open-mindedness, and bravery. Patience has taught me the value of persistence in the face of challenges, allowing me to navigate the intricate and often unpredictable world of filmmaking with a calm and composed demeanor. Embracing open-mindedness has enabled me to explore diverse perspectives, ideas, and cultures, enriching my storytelling and bringing a unique depth to my films. Additionally, bravery has been my guiding force, pushing me to step out of my comfort zone, take creative risks, and fearlessly tackle ambitious projects. Embracing these qualities has not only honed my craft but has also empowered me to create narratives that resonate with audiences on a profound level, making my filmmaking journey an incredibly fulfilling and transformative experience.
One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?
I’m looking for film collaborators who are passionate about just creating. Budget or no budget, let’s just shoot and make films.
I can be found at ChrisVanderhorst.com or on Instagram @vanderhorst
Contact Info:
- Website: chrisvanderhorst.com
- Instagram: @vanderhorst
Image Credits
VIP Event Photograpahy
