We were lucky to catch up with Gina Ciardi recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Gina, 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?
I think my purpose found me. At the time of creating my first short documentary, I was pretty happy and content with my life in terms of career and my community of friends. I didn’t necessarily think anything was missing, but I did feel my growth professionally had become a little stagnant and I wanted to find a new way to hone my skills as a video producer and editor. That was when I was given the opportunity to pitch a short documentary for air on public television. It was accepted and I created a five minute piece about the magnet fishing community in Baltimore, a group I was already an enthusiastic member of. Working with my friends allowed me to feel comfortable bringing a camera out with me instead of my magnet, conducting interviews, and learning how to make a compelling documentary while filming and editing.
It received high praise from colleagues and even won a Capital Emmy Award, which I was not expecting at all. Here I was, one person with a camera, up against production teams with way more equipment, resources, and combined knowledge. I wasn’t sure how my short piece would stack up in comparison to a piece with a much larger budget. Leaving that night with an Emmy statuette was a pivotal moment when I realized that maybe there’s something more with documentary work I should explore. Since that moment through pushing myself to continue creating, embracing new opportunities and moving further outside my comfort zone, I started to find purpose.
For me, documentary work is the perfect blend of helping others by giving them a platform for their unique perspective and a way of creating a cinematic work of art. It’s authentic by nature and it’s up to me as the filmmaker to take an idea and tell it in a compelling and beautiful way. It’s a challenge! But it has opened so many doors to new experiences and personal growth as a filmmaker.
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?
In my freelance work through my business CRD Creative, LLC I offer photography, graphic design, and video production/editing services to individuals and businesses in the Baltimore, Maryland area. Much of my work is focused on event photography and video highlight reels; educational content; and brand introduction and explainer videos that highlight company or organization’s mission, goals, and people.
Right now, though, my primary focus is on documentary work for public media with an emphasis on communities and people in Baltimore who aim to inspire others and work towards a greater mission with a wide spread impact. I specifically look for grassroots efforts and untold stories that have had little coverage through other media channels and take the time to immerse myself in their world. I have the goal of releasing one short documentary per year for broadcast and on YouTube.
So much of the beauty of documentary filmmaking happens behind the scenes. Getting to know all the members involved and digging deep to fully understand the impact of their mission and work so that I tell this story takes time. I recognize that being vulnerable on camera isn’t easy for everyone, so I do my best to build trust and a rapport from the start. It is my hope that in taking this time to immerse myself in the world of others, I can relay the story accurately and intentionally. Similarly when filming I give very little direction, opting to view my role as a “fly on the wall” in their space to help ensure every participant feels comfortable and I can capture events as they unfold naturally. I want the viewer to feel like they are sharing the same space as the people on-screen and have the chance to get to know and feel inspired and uplifted by their experiences.
My next short documentary of the Be Inspired series will be released on broadcast and YouTube in November 2025 and follows a community of talented photographers in Baltimore City.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
If I were to give advice to folks beginning their journey, I’d advise them to be intentional with the community they surround themselves with, experiment with different styles to create one that feels natural rather than solely comparing to others or focusing on trends, and lastly let go of the fear of asking for constructive criticism (which includes learning how to listen to all feedback, even if it’s difficult).
These three points also tie into each other. Everyone needs a community, and by that I mean not just friends or family, but people who are also actively focused on and working towards their goals. Their goals don’t have to be in the same field or profession, but surrounding yourself with people who are looking for feedback and take accountability, who want to grow and evolve to become their best selves, and who will cheer you on and support you are crucial as you embark on your journey to find purpose. These people will continue to inspire you as they work through their own challenges and reach individual success. Additionally, to have this kind of community requires a level of vulnerability and a safe space to share these struggles and works-in-progress. But in a community where trust has been established, it allows for a place where others can give honest feedback and encouragement when obstacles or the need to pivot arises.
What has been your biggest area of growth or improvement in the past 12 months?
An area in which I’ve seen quite a bit of growth is in embracing new opportunities, even when that meant pushing myself out of my comfort zone. Rather than focusing on the what ifs — “what if they don’t see the vision?” “What if I don’t have enough experience yet?” “What if they say no?” “What if I make a mistake?” — I would ask myself “would I regret not going for it?” If the answer was “yes, I would have regrets” then I knew it was worth making the ask or giving it a try. Luckily, I have a strong support network behind me to help uplift me when doubt creeps in.
When I’m nervous before heading to a new place I’ve never been before or entering a room full of strangers, I tell myself “I get to do this”. I focus on practicing gratitude for the opportunities that I have been given. And when I think about the bigger picture, I have gotten to be in song writer’s rooms; I’ve been in a boat on the Chesapeake in the early hours of the morning watching the sun rise over the City; I’ve stared in awe as a tenth chair in a row was pulled out of the harbor with a magnet; I’ve listened to original music performed live with a full room of people engaged and cheering; I’ve watched paintings taller than me come to life with each brush stroke; I’ve learned from photographers who shoot film, or have had their work published or have a style totally different to mine. The list goes on.
Everyone I have met and all the new experiences I have had fill up my cup with enthusiasm for life and inspiration to keep pushing forward through the late nights editing and my own anxieties. What has surprised me the most though, is that the more I have reached out, pushed myself, and pressed on in spite of uncertainty the next time I faced something similar it was much easier for me to handle it with grace.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://crdcreative.com
- Instagram: @crd.creative
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CRDCreative/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gina-ciardi
Image Credits
Brendan Felch, Gina Ciardi
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