We recently connected with Jillian Corsie and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Jillian, so excited to talk about all sorts of important topics with you today. The first one we want to jump into is about being the only one in the room – for some that’s being the only person of color or the only non-native English speaker or the only non-MBA, etc Can you talk to us about how you have managed to be successful even when you were the only one in the room that looked like you?
In the early stages of my career as an aspiring editor in New York, navigating male-dominated rooms was a common challenge. As one of the few women in the editing field, I often found myself facing skepticism about my abilities, inappropriate workplace advances, and even being yelled at for making mistakes. In those moments, I hadn’t fully embraced my feminism, and I adopted the persona of the “cool girl.” I shrugged off sexist jokes and went along with the status quo. I laughed right along with them.
I’ll never forget meeting Robin Burchill, the first woman editor I ever met. We shared an elevator ride up to an office, and there she was with her bike and helmet, seeming so approachable. Robin was always cool, calm and collected, and she showed me an example of what a powerhouse woman editor could be.
As I became more aware of systemic injustices, particularly within the advertising industry, I found it increasingly challenging to ignore or play along. It took several years of finding myself and working alongside amazing women editors and producers, but I gradually found my footing and stopped laughing at the jokes.
Calling out instances of gender bias became a crucial part of my advocacy. Whether it was challenging the labeling of men as “athletes” and women as “young, female athletes” in an edit bay or objecting to rape jokes in scripts played in large ad agency rooms, I made a conscious effort to speak up. When someone says something outright sexist to me, I’ll ask, “what did you mean by that?”
Untangling my own internalized misogyny has been a gradual process, and it’s ongoing. Oftentimes, people that make those kinds of comments don’t even realize they’re doing it. I think it helps to gently call it out so they become aware.
Taking ownership of who I am and what I believe in has steered me in the right direction. Standing in my power was initially intimidating, but it has proven to be a positive force both personally and professionally. Today, I am intentional about the people I collaborate with and the projects I undertake, creating a more empowering and inclusive environment for myself and those around me.
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 filmmaker and film editor, working in commercials and feature-length documentaries. I use filmmaking to explore topics that I don’t know how to talk about in real life.
As a documentary filmmaker, I am dedicated to creating character-driven stories with a social impact. My feature directorial debut, “Trichster,” delves into the lives of individuals coping with trichotillomania, a body-focused repetitive behavior. My documentary short, “Second Assault,” sheds light on the trauma of reporting sexual violence and the trauma of not being believed. These films have been featured in publications such as Huffington Post, Refinery29, and ABC News, and continue to have an impact as educational documentaries on college campuses. Notably, “Second Assault” is currently used as a police training tool in several police departments across the United States.
I’m currently wrapping up the festival run for, “TOOTH,” a horror/comedy short about a vengeful tooth that has come to life seeking revenge. I’m also in the developmental stages of my first feature narrative— a coming of age horror film about an American teen visiting her grandmother in an eerie Scottish town who discovers a harrowing manifestation of local folklore, forcing her to confront the shadows of grief and cultural identity.
I’m also a film festival programmer at the Slamdance Film Festival and the Salute Your Shorts Film Festival. Salute Your Shorts is one of my favorite events of the year. We curate an intimate lineup of “films with an aftertaste” and organize compelling panels featuring industry professionals. Last year’s event featured VFX artists from “Everything, Everywhere, All at Once,” along with insightful discussions led by the Daniels, providing valuable insights into the world of indie VFX.
Filmmaking has the power to make a difference: stories are the most effective way to convey human emotions and encourage people to see things through a fresh lens. I love the conversations that can be started from a moving feature documentary or the audible reactions from audiences when confronted with something visceral.
Although filmmaking poses its challenges, the gratification derived from the process is profound. What I love most is the opportunity to share a piece of myself with others through 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?
First and foremost, editing has been an invaluable asset. Beyond its role in my profession, it empowers me to independently create and enhance my work. Recently, I threw together a 2-minute intro video for a fellowship application, and I didn’t have to hire someone to edit it for me! Editing makes me a better director; I can see the edit in my head before I even shoot the scene!
But beyond editing, my biggest piece of advice is: Just make things. Start low budget, involve your friends, and shoot something with your iphone. Don’t be too precious about your project. Each film is a stepping stone, and your filmmaking will get better and better with each new film.
Go to film festivals. Meet filmmakers. Watch short films. Becoming a screener for a film festival near you is an amazing way to learn and develop relationships. Festivals are always looking for screeners. Watching hundreds of films will teach you what works and what doesn’t.
Focus on forming genuine connections rather than handing out business cards. Ask questions about others and build new friendships. Network across, not up. It’s your peers that will grow with you and hire you onto their next project, and vice versa.
If I could offer advice to my younger self, it would be to get involved earlier. Involvement in film festivals has been a game-changer both personally and professionally. During the festival circuit with my film “TOOTH” this year, I not only made genuine, real life friendships, but also formed critical industry connections. Sometimes I wonder where I would be if I had started sooner. I encourage aspiring filmmakers to start their journey sooner rather than later, and “get out there.”
What’s been one of your main areas of growth this year?
Over the last year, my most significant area of personal growth has been overcoming social anxiety post Covid. As an introvert, diving back into social interactions was initially daunting. I premiered my horror/comedy short film, “TOOTH,” at the Slamdance Film Festival in 2023, so I knew I would have to force myself to “get back out there.”
My friends helped me design a giant, human-sized tooth costume, and wearing it on the festival circuit really helped! The tooth was a unique conversation starter; it gave people a reason to want to talk to me (they were probably thinking, “why is this crazy lady dressed as a bloody tooth??), and it helped conversation flow naturally. Despite my initial concerns, the experience of traveling to film festivals throughout the year gradually boosted my confidence in engaging with new people.
I’m a programmer for both the Salute Your Shorts Film Festival and the Slamdance Film Festival, so being present with filmmakers is part of my job. I’m also an active member of several industry groups that organize regular in-person events. I NEVER want to go to these networking parties, but I always leave so happy I did. Connecting with like-minded people is incredibly fulfilling – I’m always pleasantly surprised to meet someone who seems to be feeling the exact same way as me.
After three years of relative hibernation, stepping back into the social scene wasn’t easy, but I continued to push myself outside my comfort zone and now I’m starting 2024 with so much more confidence than I had last year.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://jilliancorsie.com/
- Instagram: @jcorsie
- Other: tiktok: @salute_your_shorts
Image Credits
Salute Your Shorts Film Festival Photo Credit: Unique Nicole
