Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Julia Siedenburg . We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Julia , appreciate you making time for us and sharing your wisdom with the community. So many of us go through similar pain points throughout our journeys and so hearing about how others overcame obstacles can be helpful. One of those struggles is keeping creativity alive despite all the stresses, challenges and problems we might be dealing with. How do you keep your creativity alive?
I guess I would say I keep my creativity alive by thinking of everything that happens to me or any story someone tells me, anything I witness as a possible piece I can use. As something worth telling. I think it is great to dream big and to want to tell outlandish, weird, artistic, and unimaginable stories. Trust me, I have some of those as well. But there is something incredibly powerful in telling true humane stories that connect people because of their shared experiences. Or to elevate voices that have been suppressed or forgotten. You can always find something worth using. I think people are afraid to use similar ideas as well. Everyone is obsessed with telling something new. Yet they forget that in some way, everything has already been told. There is nothing new anymore. An idea is sparked from an experience, something you have heard or seen. Nothing is truly original anymore. Once we accept that it becomes so much easier. Because then you embrace every creative thought and try to work it so that it becomes yours. Because in the end every story can be told a 1000 different ways.
I personally am interested in human connection stories. Underrepreseted people misunderstood people. Or stories where people only focused on the now but not on the past. I think it is very interesting to understand how something came to be. What brought someone to where or who he now is? Being passionate about that is what kept me going. If you can find your voice, your passion, and your mission then I believe your creativity will continue to flourish.
The fact that I truly deeply love what I do pushes me further.
The great thing about being a filmmaker as well is that you never really are just doing one thing. Every project is different. Every story, every location, every crew. And even if you work in the same position and don’t wear multiple hats, your way of working and approach to the story will still be slightly different than the last. That is something that inspires me to continue the work because I know that there will be an adventure ahead of me.
Overall, we story writers and filmmakers have to remember how fortunate we are to be able to do what we do. Bringing stories to life, entertaining people, and helping them escape from their maybe not-so-happy or exciting lives is a gift.
Another great tool that I like to use is to take ideas from my dreams. I have extremely vivid dreams and they rarely fail to provide me with some creative influence. Something I do think certain parts of my dreams are too crazy to even for the movies, but some parts spark a thought that is worth developing further.
Whenever I feel like I am stuck and my creativity is fleeting, which has happened before, I do like to revisit my former ideas. I have just an image or two, maybe a beginning scene or a character line that has come into my mind that I liked and wrote down. Writing those ideas down no matter how small they are is hugely helpful because you never know when you need a little inspiration I like to go back to my notes and see if I can figure out how to work them into a cohesive story.
If that doesn’t work I have a group of fellow creatives that I like to run things by.
It has happened multiple times that I had told one of my go-to crew members one of my notes and then after brainstorming together for a while, we ended up figuring out the entire piece.
In the end, you will want people to like to read or view what you have made so it never hurts to have your friends help you along the way. If you can connect with someone early on then you know that you are on to something good. They are also the ones that will tell you if your idea has already been made, you might have simply not thought of it.
After all, our creations are only as good as the people that helped make them.
So in the end I would like to advise you to not be afraid, don’t underestimate the smallest ideas, and remember that there are creative fulls for potential stories all around you. Most importantly, when you love what you do the creativity will never be gone for long.
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 freelance filmmaker. I have written and directed multiple projects, from documentary pieces to narrative projects. Next to creating my projects, I have also worked for non-profit organizations, on commercials and music video sets.
I have dipped my toe in every department there is.
I have primarily worked in the production department in the commercial and music video world. I coordinated my first big-budget music video for a prominent artist last year.
On my projects, I tend to not only write and direct but also co-produce and help put any department that needs it. I like to work very closely with each person on my team to make sure that everything is clear and that there are no open questions. I had been asked to direct a few projects that I haven’t personally written. On those projects, I do also like to have a deep discussion with the writer to make sure their ideas are talked about and considered as well.
What I love most about filmmaking is that it is a creative as well as very technical job that requires people to trust each other and work well together. You sometimes are under harsh weather conditions working long hours far away from your home. Then, when you work with a good crew you have each other’s back and become your second family. This cannot be done alone. And this job is not your typical 9-5 sitting at a desk in the same office with the same people every day. Though when you are lucky you find a group of people that then sticks together whenever possible. As I previously mentioned, I also love the fact that every project is different than the others. Everyone is an adventure and you do not know what is ahead of you. Every story, every location every approach is different. After all, as we know, ideas can be similar but no story is quite the same. And there is no rule. I for example do not have a specific genre I follow. I have made projects from disability justice to comedy to psychological thrillers. My latest project I had written and directed has been going through the festival circuit for over a year and we have been very fortunate to be selected and awarded at many different international film festivals. After it has gone through the last festival it will be part of a 3-year international short film channel.
I am currently writing my first script in my mother tongue (German) and I am planning to shoot that In Berlin beginning of next year. Furthermore, I have planned out my next short film which will be shot by the end of this year. I am hopeful that good things are coming and I will continue to give it my all. Because there is truly nothing I would rather be doing than being part of this crazy dream factory.
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?
The three most impactful qualities in my journey have been 1. to be a people person, 2. to enjoy helping others,` and 3. knowing how far I will push myself for this job. Since I am an only child I wasn’t afraid to go up to people and try to make friends from an early age. You become very open and friendly to strangers. The fact is, it is way more enjoyable when you work with people for 12+ hours for days, weeks, or sometimes months on end when you get to know each other and are friendly to each other. Movie making does not work when you are an only wolf. It would be best if you had the help and support of the group.
Also, as a director, you are the one making all the decisions and you have to be able to communicate your vision and also be open to suggestions and changes. Teamwork makes the dream work as they like to say. And you are also the one who is communicating and works with the actors. You have to be able to communicate what you would like for them to do, they need to feel comfortable to be emotional. The more they see that you care and you build a connection with them, the harder they will work to bring your ideas to life. So make sure that you get to know the people that you work with. Know your crew, talk to them, have an open ear, be kind and also trust in them that if they tell you that something will not work or will be better another way, consider it.
I enjoy helping others. It has always been that way. But once I started working on the film I become dedicated to someone’s story. You are helping a person have their voice heard. You help support a movement. You are helping the people that will be watching it to escape their day-to-day live. You help the actors and the crew so that they can get their work done as best and smoothly as possible. You are also helping them to enjoy the journey. No matter what position you are in: Remember you are an important part of the project and your help is needed and appreciated. The more you care and want to help the better the outcome will be. You will see.
Coming to my third point, I first want to say that this industry is not easy. Hard long hours, not much sleep, intense weather, physical conditions, a lot of pressure and stress, and big competition. And no matter how hard you work, you do not know if you will make it or if your project will be a success. But if you are truly passionate and you love what you do then you accept all of those things and push yourself as much as you can. Not being able to spend a lot of time with my family and not knowing then next time I will have some time are facts that I have accepted. Even when I am tired and overworked I keep on going because that is my life. Making films and shows is my life. So in those hours when you are starting to doubt it all remember why you are there and think of the feeling you will have when it’s over. Don’t forget how strong and determine you are. If we love something we don’t stop. We will move mountains for it. I sometimes have to remind myself as well and then I go give everything I got left. For my passion, for myself, and for my co-workers that are going through the same thing.
To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?
The most impactful thing that my parents have done for me is to support and believe in me no matter what. They have never stopped to show interest and being there to help me achieve my dreams. Knowing that they might not 100% understand the way the industry works but still stand behind me and root for me to succeed means the world. Without my parents, I would probably have doubted myself so many times and I don’t know if I would be where I am today now. They are watching everything I work on, promote it for others to see, and always listen to my stories and ideas. I value their feedback on all my projects and I never feel that my work or ideas will be rejected. Them being there, cheering me on, and showing a passion for my field of work is so motivating. I will be forever grateful to them for that.
There were many fond memories of going to the movies with my parents and watching shows, all seasons from beginning to end. Sometimes rewatching them multiple times throughout the years.
Whenever we see each other or speak on the phone we talk about what new movies or series we have been watching and send us recommendations back and forth. My father sends me articles about movie reviews or news in the film industry a lot as well.
Overall, growing up, I was always encouraged to be creative, try out new things, and find the activities that I would like to do. And I like to think that my parents enjoy being part of this journey with me as they learn the insights and secrets of how it all works. They are always the people that I talk to about my ideas and how my work first and that will never change!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @filmbyjulia
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/julia.siedenburg
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julia-siedenburg-930070139/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdAaofpZasj4uhZ66G8FDZw
- Other: My film Instagram : @hide.andseek1 My IMDb: https://pro.imdb.com/name/nm8003305?ref_=hm_prof_name
Image Credits
Image 4: Laura Siebold Images 3 & 5 : Lucky Atkare Images 7 & 8 : Brooke Dammkoehler
