Meet Harley Wallen

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Harley Wallen. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Harley below.

Hi Harley, thank you so much for opening up with us about some important, but sometimes personal topics. One that really matters to us is overcoming Imposter Syndrome because we’ve seen how so many people are held back in life because of this and so we’d really appreciate hearing about how you overcame Imposter Syndrome.

I have to admit I love this question because it is so important and I truly think every legit person feels it, but most of us pretend we don’t because we are afraid it would somehow out us.. for me it’s always been about the work and I’ve always felt like I wanted to be a student first and foremost. And I think the reason that it happened so fast was that I thought I knew way more than I did when I made my very first short film, but I was able to look at where I was versus where I wanted to be to humble myself and become a student of the craft of Filmmaking and I haven’t stopped yet and I think that keeps me humble.

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 Swedish born and raised Filmmaker who makes films that I suppose are a little different. I seek to tell a story, create fun and interesting situations and characters inside a story. I love layers and motives. I have made everything from my latest film “Finding Nicole” a Highly Publicized True Story to what I’m probably most known for my horror/thrillers “Ash and Bone” and “The Devil’s Left Hand” both 100% Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes, but also the human trafficking hit film “Betrayed” and the popular family Rom-Com “Bennett’s Song”. It has been amazing to see my audience finding me. ❤️

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?

As a film director, I’m keenly aware that understanding Actors by being a trained actor. Myself helps a lot to get the performances I need, but by pursuing their technical skills and learning a lot about lighting, and Cinematography and storytelling has absolutely separated me from the pack. Not only is my vision, clearer and stronger because of it, but I am better at communicating it with my cast and crew so we tend to all make the same film together and the collaborative contributions become so much stronger when everybody is on the same page. And we all tell the same story..

I know that was not very bullet point oriented, but I think bridging the creative arts on both sides of the screen and understanding how it all works together could not have happened without relentless studying and the beautiful thing about that is how easy it has become with master classes Online seminars, and classes not to mention YouTube as assets. There is very little reason to not know your craft any longer.

Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?

Another great question I love it.! My mom most definitely taught me to look at things from every angle and poke at it so that by the time you make a decision, you know what you’re dealing with. And my dad taught me to keep getting back up because we’re all gonna get knocked down. The difference is gonna be how quickly we get back up and dust ourselves off and get back “in the game of life”. So that’s what I’m doing. I am trying to live my life out loud and do what I feel called to do.

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