We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Kylie Johnson. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Kylie below.
Hi Kylie, 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.
Once I realized that everyone’s first is usually a trainwreck, that was very freeing. Someone’s first YouTube video, no matter if they start out with state-of-the-art equipment, is going to be awkward and probably cringe-inducing. The first short film one might write and direct will probably look terrible and have inhuman dialogue.
Then I learned that the second, third, fourth, and so on might also turn out to be utter disasters. It’s about persistence and practice. It took me six months of near-daily practice before I could speak into a camera without anxiety crawling up my throat. Then it was a matter of creating things that actually had some value and originality.
The thing about imposter syndrome when you’re starting out with anything is that it’s probably valid. And you just have to be able to live with that and have the determination to overcome it.
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 consider myself a filmmaker first, who happens to be using YouTube as a creative outlet and job in the meantime. My content is still very meaningful to me and I strive to create documentary-level deep dives into horror history. No other channel on the platform creates on the same intellectual level as far as horror goes. However, my dream is to write and direct films full-time, and occasionally do some creature acting in them too.
Last year I wrote and directed my first independent short horror film titled Somnum. It’s available to watch on YouTube and was received very well by that audience. I simultaneously directed and creature acted as a sleep paralysis demon, which was no small task. I’m now currently fundraising for my next horror short, using GoFundMe to crowdfund. It’s titled Liked, and we are well into pre-production but require several thousand more dollars to get production rolling.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
The most important quality that I’ve found has propelled me into having a substantial platform is my confidence. The internet is a very hard place to exist, especially for a woman in a male-dominated fandom. I know my worth, I know my intellect, and I work hard to create quality content so that I’m never concerned with proving myself. The work speaks for itself. Know who you are and what you bring to the table and things tend to fall into place.
The most valuable skill I have is my ability to write. Words are the most powerful weapon in anyone’s arsenal. I developed this ability through my film and English degrees and continue to do so with my content. I will always consider myself a student because perfection doesn’t exist, and you have to keep the machine well-oiled.
The most significant area of knowledge that has helped transcend my career is niche, but that would be in horror movies and movie history. My childhood dreams and obsessions never died. I think holding onto your inner child is more valuable than certain professional environments will give it credit for. Don’t let them dim your light.
What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?
There are certain times when the world doesn’t relent and you have to keep it pushing. Those times are very few and far between when you really consider your situation. In the rare occurrence when I have no choice but to keep up productivity and overwork myself, I simply remember that it’s all temporary.
Remember you are human. Remember your brain is not wired to exist in the current world. Remember creativity dies without rest. Stop. If you are overwhelmed, stop. One day of rest can change your life.
It is so easy to get caught in the cycles of productivity, it’s very difficult to give yourself a moment of pause. As a total workaholic, I’m still deprogramming myself from the capitalist mindset. Your self-worth is not tied to your productivity and anyone who tries to convince you otherwise is not a healthy person to be around. If you have no choice in your current work environment but to be surrounded by those individuals, protect your energy. Don’t absorb theirs.
Life rarely rewards you for working overtime for others. Equal opportunity is a fallacy. Take care of yourself first.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hauntedhippiehorror/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/kyjohnz
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/hauntedhippie
