We recently connected with Haley Watson and have shared our conversation below.
Haley, thank you so much for joining us today. Let’s jump right into something we’re really interested in hearing about from you – being the only one in the room. So many of us find ourselves as the only woman in the room, the only immigrant or the only artist in the room, etc. Can you talk to us about how you have learned to be effective and successful in situations where you are the only one in the room like you?
Navigating spaces where you feel isolated can indeed be challenging. Personally, I drew strength from the belief that every individual possesses a unique voice and perspective. I leveraged my own experiences to bring a distinctive approach to various spaces, where often I find myself as the sole women on a project.
As a female filmmaker in these many settings, it can be necessary to adopting a different strategy. Confidence became a cornerstone in carving out my presence, and cultivating a supportive network became a gradual but crucial endeavor. Success, for me, was intertwined with finding people who respected my opinions and championed my work, particularly in those instances where I assumed greater responsibilities.
An example is my involvement in programs like AFI’s Cinematography Intensive for Women. Participating in educational spaces free from biases has played a pivotal role in instilling confidence in both established and new skills. Such initiatives are indispensable for women seeking a foothold in the film industry, offering a platform to navigate shared challenges and build a supportive community.
Confronting biases requires a diplomatic approach, acknowledging the inherent difficulty in addressing unfair judgments. Despite the challenges, I strive to respond with kindness, recognizing that biases are not always rational. While I may never be aware of opportunities I didn’t get due to gender bias, my commitment lies in advocating and educating to dismantle such biases.
Above all, for those grappling with isolation or feeling “othered,” it is crucial to recognize that individuality enhances the creative process. Your thoughts, energy, and creativity are uniquely yours, an immutable aspect that can neither be taken nor diminished. The choice to share or withhold is entirely yours, guided by what feels right for your personal journey.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I’m a Director and Creative Director currently on tenure at Indigo Slate, a global advertising agency, where I proudly serve as their Creative Director of Video. Among my career highlights is the pivotal moment of discovering and pitching the compelling story for “The Queen of Basketball,” which secured the 2021 Academy Award for Best Short Documentary. Recently, I took the helm as the Director of Photography for Nike’s Re-Imagine Signature Campaign, featuring Sabrina Inescu, Niomi Okasa, Serena Williams, and Megan Rapinoe.
Additionally, I directed and Creative Directed a series of films for the Bungie Foundation, aimed at supporting veterans, including a short film with narration by Nathan Fillion.
My innovative spirit draws from extensive years in the camera department, honing my skills in innovation and shaping films directly on set. At the core, I’m a creative soul who seeks out the light and consistently pushes the boundaries through the captivating medium of film.
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?
Flexibility is necessary in filmmaking. In this dynamic field, the mantra often echoes: the film you write is not what you shoot, and that, in turn, is not what you edit. This underscores the constant rediscovery of your story and its evolution in the editing process. Moreover, especially for newcomers navigating tight parameters, changes from the plan are almost inevitable. The ability to problem-solve in those moments becomes crucial to a project’s success.
Cultivating curiosity and a sense of discovery is imperative. It’s about innovating your craft, exploring new approaches to storytelling, whether it’s experimenting with technical tools like lighting or delving into nuanced performances. Maintaining a sense of discovery ensures that your work stays fresh and continually evolves.
Embracing playfulness is key; view your work as play, and suddenly, it won’t feel like work. This doesn’t discount the importance of having a plan, but rather, it encourages a playful mentality that feeds into flexibility and curiosity. It’s a reminder not to pressure yourself into achieving perfection but to let the creative process unfold organically, allowing room for spontaneity and growth.
How would you describe your ideal client?
Trust
Having and cultivating a sense of trust with a client is imperative. I firmly believe that trust is earned, not given. It requires proving your trustworthiness and demonstrating to those you work with, whether clients or collaborators, that you are reliable, credible, and respectful to both them and the work. I consider creating and maintaining trust to be a paramount characteristic.
A solid trusting relationship enables everyone involved to take more calculated risks collectively, pushing the boundaries of what is possible. Trust is the foundation for such endeavors. It’s a cornerstone that allows for collaborative innovation and the confidence to explore new territories together.
Contact Info:
- Website: HaleyLWatson
- Instagram: @HaleyLWatson
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/haleylwatson/
Image Credits
Molly O’Keefe , Nicole Valencia
