We recently connected with Laura Sweeney and have shared our conversation below.
Laura, so great to have you with us and we want to jump right into a really important question. In recent years, it’s become so clear that we’re living through a time where so many folks are lacking self-confidence and self-esteem. So, we’d love to hear about your journey and how you developed your self-confidence and self-esteem.
I am always a work in progress in developing confidence and self-esteem. As a director, I feel on each project I learn the same lesson: I should trusted myself more. The more projects I work on, the faster I am able to trust my gut, but more importantly, I aim to surround myself with people I trust, who I can see will deliver great work. I gather confidence from having a great team. I like to work on projects that excite me and push me to grow. I try and prepare as much as possible then morning of a shoot, I meditate, eat a healthy breakfast and take tasks one at a time.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I am a filmmaker. I am a screenwriter, director and actress. I focus on storytelling and building a team that can create the best possible film based on a script. I love telling stories. It starts as a very isolated experience, writing, trying out new ideas. Once the script is in a good place, film is very collaborative, bring on board a team of artists to realize the project. Directing is like speaking many languages, I communicate one way with actors, another way with cinematographers, costume designers, editors etc. It is very fulfilling to see an idea through the entire process and then share it with an audience. It is quite magical indeed. Currently I have a film called “Tina” written by Sheri Davenport that is touring the film festival circuit. It plays this week at the Durango Film festival in Colorado. I’m in post production of a documentary called “Kitchen Dancer” and currently writing a feature, “Francesca’s Song” based on a book my mother wrote about my great Grandmother Francesca. I update my social media frequently with my film projects. @laura_m_sweeney
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?
Prioritizing my own work. Trusting my gut.
Stepping towards people you admire and learning.
Advice for folks early in their journey, is to jump in and make a project, you will learn so much. And a world of collaborative partners will grow around you. Ask questions. Don’t be afraid to put your own projects first.
What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?
My parents pushed me very hard and expected me to excel at a high level. They brought me to the theater. We had lively debates at the dinner table about music, art, theater. They allowed me to be an exchange student in France when I was 14 for six weeks and it was life changing. My Father was an attorney, so if I wanted something, I had to have an argument for why and be willing to fight for it. My Mom is so creative in all things, I really learned how to helm a project from spending time with her. She would have a vision for decorating a room and it would take over everything for six weeks, she has an incredible visual sense of detail and the ability to bring together a team of experts to a single vision. My parents always encouraged me to do the next growth-oriented thing, I found this sometimes challenging while growing up, but they instilled in me a hunger to go forward and find a way even when I’m afraid I will fail.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.laurasweeney.com
- Instagram: @laura_m_sweeney
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/laura.sweeney.98031
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brooklynlaurasweeney/
- Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5865945/
