We recently connected with Jessica Iliana and have shared our conversation below.
Jessica, so excited to have you with us today. So much we can chat about, but one of the questions we are most interested in is how you have managed to keep your creativity alive.
Whenever I feel like my creativity is not flowing as I wish, there are three methods that I like to use to get myself back on track.
First, I change my environment. Depending on how much time I can set apart, I might go for a hike to clear my mind and get inspired by nature or take a trip to learn from different cultures and get inspired by people.
Second, I love learning something new. In my field of work, there is always something new to learn, and I find that it keeps me engaged and motivated, especially since technology is evolving so fast.
And on the rare occasion that none of these methods work, I force myself into a bored state. It might not work for everyone, but if you’re like me and enjoy doing what you do for work during your free time, you may get some great ideas and want to implement them as soon as possible.
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?
I am a Director | Cinematographer based in Los Angeles. I specialize in campaign short films, commercials, documentaries, and online content. What I love the most about my job is the ability to create a world and communicate a message through it. However, I would never consider it a job as I also enjoy doing it during my free time!
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?
1. With how fast technology advances, it is easy to get lost in consumerism and think that you need the latest gear to achieve the best results. However, I believe that working on developing problem-solving skills and utilizing the resources that you already have is key. Focus more on the story and less on the gear.
2. Learning everything about lighting – how to shape light. Even if you don’t have access to professional lighting equipment, you can still use the biggest light source of all – the sun! By mastering this skill, you will be able to achieve great results even when shooting with your mobile camera.
3. Everyone who has chosen to pursue a career in the creative field is likely passionate about their work. It’s important to remember to have fun and keep creating!
Do you think it’s better to go all in on our strengths or to try to be more well-rounded by investing effort on improving areas you aren’t as strong in?
What I love the most about my field, is that you can always keep learning. I like to learn more about my current interests or subjects related to my current or future projects. While there is no one-size-fits-all approach, making a habit of learning something new every day can have a significant impact in the long run.It’s important to keep your curiosity for learning alive and embrace the journey of continuous growth.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessica.hnsn/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/JessicaHnsn
- Youtube: www.youtube.com/@jessicahnsn
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@jessicahnsn
