Meet Beatrice King

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Beatrice King a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Beatrice, 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 feel like I’ve had so many wonderful twists and turns in my life so far. Moments where I’ve listened to the closed doors, and the open doors. I’ve learned the closed doors are just as important, and maybe even more important to listen to.

As an artist, I feel aligned when I am creating and looking deeply. It’s where I’m most at home. Being an Actor, Writer, Director, Producer, Acting Coach – these are just extensions of needing to create, while choosing a very visual and visceral medium. The longer I’ve spent in the Film & Television Industry, the more I’ve grown as an artist, storyteller and creative, and in turn- the more I’ve been able to give back to my community at King Creative Studios, by mentoring young actors, and helping them navigate their careers every step of the way.

Growing up during a time where information wasn’t as accessible, it was very difficult to navigate the Film & TV industry as a young actor, especially growing up in Alberta, and making the move to Vancouver, BC to pursue a career in the Arts. It’s been really meaningful helping young artists succeed, and watching their dreams come true, because at the beginning of my journey I didn’t have a mentor or someone I could rely on in that way.

As an Actor, I’ve had a chance to work on some of the most fun and exciting projects, including Netflix’s ‘Loudermilk’, Warner Brother’s ‘Mortal Kombat’ and Giancarlo Esposito (from Breaking Bad’s), first feature film ‘The Show’. As an On set Acting Coach (coaching young actors), I’ve worked on Dwayne Johnson’s ‘Skycraper’, Oscar Winner Allison Janney’s ‘Lou’, and a number of films and series for Netflix and Disney. Being able to create, and coaching young artists in the craft has been rewarding in so many ways.

My directorial debut with the coming-of-age short drama, ‘You Are the Blue’, is the next extension of my artistry. I grew up as a competitive figure skater and dancer, and learned the art of performance at a young age. But it wasn’t until I became a dance and figure-skating choreographer in my teenage years, did I realize there was more to the art-form. Choreographing is a different side to the sport- one of greater creation, visualization and understanding of movement and rhythm that requires a deeper study.

This deeper study and my own curiosity led me to take on my largest project to date: stepping into the shoes of Writer/Director. And telling a story that was personal, and absolutely terrifying.

In my challenges with an invisible illness, I had searched for any form of art that could ease my experience. And when nothing could be found, I knew that the need to create and tell this story was greater than the terror I was feeling inside. Sometimes your purpose can arise from your deepest struggles and needs. Not wants. But needs.

I don’t think I would have necessarily found this purpose had my journey taken me a different way.

Listening to the closed doors has allowed me to look inwards, deeply, and ask:

‘What do I need? What stories do I want to tell? What do I want to create?’

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
One of the fulfilling things about being a creative is giving yourself time to explore other forms of art and allowing that to inspire you. A lot of my inspiration comes from nature, poems, paintings, photographs, books, films, and music.

One of the ways I developed my short film in its early stages is writing poetry for a year, before writing a piece of music on the piano. Growing up, I went through rigorous piano exams through The Royal Conservatory. While I appreciate learning how to play an instrument, the exams were a tremendous source of anxiety. I quit piano for a number of years after my last exam, and came back to playing because I had the freedom to choose music, and create my own.

I was ecstatic that ‘You Are the Blue’ premiered at the Oscar qualifying Edmonton International Film Festival, and had its West Coast Premiere at the Vancouver Asian Festival.

‘You Are the Blue’ is about teenage dancer, Kay, who reckons with her identity amidst the struggle with an invisible illness and all-consuming secret.

Our lead, Eden Summer Gilmore, was also selected as a ‘Star to Watch’ at the Whistler Film Festival, where our film was an official selection. It’s been a true joy working with Eden. I’ve been her Acting Coach since she was 11 years old. She was 16 years old when we started ‘You Are the Blue’, because we filmed in the Fall and then six months later in the Spring, to photograph the changing of the Seasons and also the passage of time in her character’s journey.

We are very excited for its film festival run and for audiences to see our film worldwide!

Along with our new session of classes for actors at King Creative Studios, I am also developing my feature film and have been enjoying the process. I started with collecting images from paintings and photographs that inspire me. Sometimes, it’s as simple as the lighting in a photograph, or a specific texture of material (or color) that inspires me. My art has been described as ethereal, visceral, vulnerable, relentless, thrilling, and meaningful. There is tremendous beauty in all the cracks of our humanity.

As humans, we tend to judge what we don’t know and haven’t seen. As a diverse female filmmaker, I will continue to shine a light on underrepresented stories. 

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? 
While I believe qualities like tenacity, passion, commitment, drive, curiosity, and attention to detail were all impactful in my journey, it’s the belief in myself that helped me most during times that were most challenging. Having people in your corner that support you, are there for you, and can be a positive voice when any self doubt starts to arise can be key.

Coming back to that place of alignment, where you can just ‘exist’ and ‘be’, has been an invaluable guide. I have learned that my identity is not tied to the things that I ‘do’, nor is my worth tied to productivity. By releasing all comparison to others, we start to find a journey that is authentically our own.

I come back to my practice of daily meditation, which I started in 2019 after needing a change from the cycle of burnout, and outdated belief systems. It has helped me find my purpose. Your purpose can also shift over the years, and that is ok.

By being still, or even giving yourself time to reflect by journaling (without the input of others), you can answer important questions like, ‘Where do you want your energy and time to-go? With our time being finite, how do you want to spend it? What gives you the greatest source of joy and freedom?’

Understanding and deeply listening to my body and any areas of tension or exhaustion has also been my greatest teacher. Your body holds a wealth of information, and is attempting to communicate with you. With how fast paced our society has become, it can be difficult to break away from these patterns. I have learned that by slowing down, being present, and listening deeply within, you can be guided towards a path that is authentically yours.

For those who have never meditated, or set aside time to rest and listen deeply, I recommend starting with only 5 minutes per day. It’s best to meditate in the morning before looking at your phone. This practice will set you up for the day! There are a number of apps that can walk you through the process, like Calm and Insight Timer. I personally enjoyed ‘Calm’, because it has illustrations, and you can gain a better understanding of the practice. ‘Mindful Movement’ on youtube is free, and it’s my go-to for guided meditations.

We tend to overload in the beginning whenever we try to make a change, like attempting to meditate for 20 minutes straight. Instead of creating an ultimatum for yourself, or an ‘all or nothing’ approach, starting off with a short and doable duration will have a much larger impact if you incorporate this into your daily rituals.

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
I always love collaborating! Getting to know collaborators like filmmakers, photographers, creatives and artists, and especially what inspires them has led to many meaningful projects and experiences.

With IG being the most visual platform, that’s the best way to find me! @beabeaking

Contact Info:

Image Credits
Kaoverii Silva Syd Wong Photography Jeffrey Mitchell Nicole Roberts

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