We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jem Garrard. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jem below.
Hi Jem, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?
As a child, navigating my identity as someone queer and gender diverse felt isolating. I didn’t know anyone else like me, and I often felt alone. Stories were my escape. You could always find young Jem lost in a book, a movie, or a comic. I was writing my own stories from a young age, and when I realized I could turn my passion for storytelling into a career, it felt like an epiphany. Creating stories where people could feel seen and acknowledged became my purpose. As I’ve aged, my work has become more personal, more authentic. I want to create the sort of stories I wish I had growing up. So for me, my purpose has been wrapped up in my journey of self-discovery and I’m sure it will keep evolving.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I’m a writer, director and showrunner based in Vancouver, BC. I get to spend my time playing make-believe, it’s truly a dream job. I like to focus on characters whose perspectives we rarely see, so my work often features queer or trans leads and I’m drawn towards genres where imagination knows no bounds like sci-fi, fantasy, action, and horror. My latest movie is a horror comedy called ‘Slay.’ It follows four heroic drag queens who must battle a horde of vampires that show up during their performance at a local dive bar. It’s got a lot of humour, heart and high-stakes action and will be released on Tubi this March.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
1.) Stop caring about what other people think. Early in my career, my concern over what other people thought of me hindered my best work. It’s impossible to make everyone happy, just aim to make yourself happy, embrace authenticity and remember that your unique voice is your most valuable asset.
2.) Welcome mistakes. They’re inevitable and invaluable. Failures teach way more than successes do so if you let them, mistakes can help show you the way forward.
3.) Persist through rejection. For anyone embarking on a creative journey, rejection is a constant companion and it sucks. It always hurts, but never let it stop you. Learn from each experience, continue to create, and relentlessly put yourself and your work out there.
Is there a particular challenge you are currently facing?
Navigating the film and television industry as a non-binary person can definitely be challenging. My industry still likes to put everyone in boxes, which is tough if you don’t fit inside traditional labels. I’ve missed opportunities because I couldn’t be a box that was ‘ticked.’ Stories reflect the vast tapestry of human experience, so we need a diverse range of voices to bring them to life. My goal is to help create a more inclusive environment within my field, where we can embrace every identity.
Contact Info:
- Website: jemgarrard.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jemgarrard/?hl=en
- Twitter: @jemga
- Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3345300/
Image Credits
Adam & Kev Photography Trevor Calverley
