We recently connected with Amabel Theophila and have shared our conversation below.
Amabel, looking forward to learning from your journey. You’ve got an amazing story and before we dive into that, let’s start with an important building block. Where do you get your work ethic from?
I have always prided myself on my work ethic. If you ask any of my friends and peers about the one quality that makes me shine, I hope they all say my work ethic.
Perhaps it started with my parents always encouraging me to put my best effort into academics. I was a straight-A student all throughout high school, but I quickly realized that my grades were not a product of my natural intelligence. I was simply not a naturally smart kid – I learned that my success in academics was rather a product of my work ethic. I’ve always tried my best. I had the determination and initiative to make use of the resources available around me to help myself improve at whatever it was I was struggling with. As I grew older, I actually realized that there wasn’t anything that I’m *naturally* good at.
For example, I grew up playing classical music (I played the piano). And if you know anything about learning classical music, you know that it takes a LOT of time and effort to perfect a piece. Again, I wasn’t born a musical prodigy or anything like that, I wasn’t *naturally* talented with music either. But I practiced – over and over – I built habits and a mindset that kept me resilient. If I knew and felt that I wasn’t doing the best I could, I’d go over the piece again until I felt *that* sense of accomplishment. The true feeling of accomplishment that can only come from knowing you did your best. Of course, there’s a thin line between striving for your best and striving for perfection. I’ve personally struggled with being a perfectionist myself and I have to constantly remind myself to strive for my best and my “perfect” (whatever that may be) and not what I think others perceive “perfect” to be.
So I would say my work ethic comes from the genuine passion of constantly wanting to do my best in all that I do.
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?
My name is Amabel Theophila, I’m an aspiring filmmaker born and raised in Jakarta, Indonesia. I’m currently studying Cinema and Media Arts with a concentration in Production at Biola University in La Mirada, California. Film has always been a prominent component in my life, though I didn’t begin to realize it later in my high school years. I grew up surrounded by various worlds of art – I loved movies, music, dance, books – anything related to art really. But most of all, I grew up with a background in classical music, from the age of 5 up until I graduated high school at the age of 17. In my 12-year career in music, I managed to pick up 4 instruments: piano, guitar, ukelele, and cello. For the longest time in my life, I thought that music was what I would end up doing (that was all I knew how to do after all). But I abandoned all that experience and all that time to dedicate my life to filmmaking. When I told my parents I was looking to major in Film, they probably thought I was confused or misled; where did this passion for film come from? It seemed such a sudden decision. In truth, I was questioning the same thing back then, but now, the reasons are obvious. I’ve always loved stories and found excitement and wonder in them. Whether from thrilling books, rich songs, or inspiring films most of all, my creative mind loves receiving a new story to break down and mull over. It’s a matter of how I want to express that creativity; I found that music, though my 12-year experience with it was life-changing and eye-opening, was not how I preferred to tell the stories I wanted to tell. I was very inspired by those behind-the-scenes documentaries (particularly the ones of the Lord of the Rings films), and I felt oddly left out and sad that I wasn’t a part of the film set (even though it happened before I was even born). Then I asked myself the question: “What is the one job you would do for free?” And the answer to that is filmmaking.
That’s how I got myself here, in the present, a student filmmaker. I’ve grown immensely in my last couple of years at Biola University – and I still continue to grow now, in my creativity, my confidence, and my distinct voice. I’m passionate about telling stories that could move and impact people from all over the world. My passions are also impacted by where I come from (Indonesia), I’m also all about sharing stories from a different perspective and different sides of the world. There is much to improve in the film industry in terms of proper representation for sure, and I hope to be a part of that. But I also love a fun film! I’m a firm believer that a touching film can also be an enjoyable and entertaining film.
As for what role in filmmaking I’m focused on, I really love working on a film set. It always fills me with joy and fulfillment at the end of the day, no matter how many roadblocks or complications I face. Sure, I get tired and feel overworked from time to time, but I never get tired of it. Specifically, I love being a Script Supervisor or an Assistant Director, and I occasionally dabble in Production Sound. I feel like people are often asking me why I don’t “aim higher” in terms of the positions I go for on a film set. For me, I find the most sense of fulfillment when I know that I’m helping someone make their vision come to light, and I feel that I shine the brightest in supporting roles. Truly, the most exciting part of being on a film set is that you feel like you’re a part of something. No matter what part you’re playing, the realization that you and a bunch of other people are coming together to create something great is a feeling like no other.
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?
I’ve only been at this for a couple of years, so in truth, I still have much to learn and much more to experience. But I’ve also learned a lot in these past couple of years. I suppose it’s quite different depending on what you’re looking to do in the film industry. I think from a production or on-set standpoint, I think these three are pretty important:
1. Initiative
Most times the film industry requires you to carve your own path. Opportunities and experiences won’t just fall from the skies and land in front of your feet. Sometimes, you have to ask for these opportunities. You have to have the initiative to reach out to people, make connections, and network. When you’re on a film set, say you’re a Production Assisstant, you have to continue to show this quality. Be the person that’s always ready to help, show that you want to be on set, make sure your passion for filmmaking is undeniable.
2. Watch A LOT of films
You don’t necessarily have to be a cinephile or have seen every single Best Picture winner (I certainly haven’t). But having watched a lot of films can broaden your palette and help you identify what kind of films you want to create. It can also definitely help you find your distinct voice in filmmaking. If you want to master a certain art, naturally you must observe the seasoned filmmakers before you. Watch what they do and let it inform your own style. Also, it’s very helpful in networking and connecting with others, the more films you watch, the more meaningful conversations you can have with your potential colleagues.
3. Time Management
This will mostly be useful if your role requires a bit of preparation in pre-production as well. For me, Assisstant Directing is basically knowing how to manage time well and if you’re looking to do that, this skill will be very much needed. There are also a lot of deadlines involved in filmmaking and you don’t really want to be that person who is not prepared and ends up dragging the whole crew down. Most times, you’re also most likely going to be working on multiple films at a time, so it’s important that you’re able to keep your own schedule straight. Try not to accidentally double book yourself, know what set you’re doing on that week, and come prepared.
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
I’m always looking for creatives to connect with! I have a wonderful film community at Biola, but I’m always looking to reach outwards to other filmmakers in the LA/OC area. Especially if you’re a fellow female and/or POC filmmaker passionate about telling stories unheard of, I would love to connect! Contact me via Instagram @atheophilms
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm14190351/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk
- Instagram: amabel_t or atheophilms
- Linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/in/amabel-theophila-a43a47255
Image Credits
Tara Cormier
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
