Meet Mikyla Bordner

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Mikyla Bordner a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Mikyla, we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?

When I was young I bounced around from house to house, family member to family member while my parents worked and grinded to support their family. My parents have never been together (since around 4 years old) but thats never bothered me. I gained two different perspectives on life that allowed me to find the diplomacy and life in all the right places. Some living situations and circumstances were not always ideal for a kid, but I know my parents did the absolute best they could and I’m grateful for those experiences whether for better or worse. Coming from a lower-income/ sometimes middle class background, I was able to see the problems my family faced and see how they overcame and figured it out along the way, always maintaining the loving and positive spirit for their family, cherishing the small things and moments that made us happy. Much of my family was like this and I think it stems from the love of people they had despite. My dad’s side of the family has always been welcoming, gregarious and funny, to say the least- but would give the clothes off their back to anyone who needed it- because they love those around them and the humanitarian spirit of helping those in need. I think the resilience I have today to my passion and drive sandwiched with positive intonations from my childhood and the mindset of glass half-full as the people around me are having a good time, so am I. I definitely take this mindset into my producing work- leading by example, maintaining a cool head and surrounding films with crews that are passionate and supported in a way that ensures success and an incredible outcome. After all, even if things don’t go the way you intended, theres always next time and the chance to learn something new.

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 storyteller. While I prefer acting to much other positions in the film industry, due to its intimate relationship with the story and the emotion and themes behind what is being portrayed, I am also a producer, and for those who know me closely, many other professions as well. To me, what’s important to me is being a part of the storytelling creation. As a producer, I am able to craft and lead a team carefully and creatively and help conceive and manifest the story, or film. However, its my belief that it is important to make yourself well-rounded in any art form you take on. Film can be a food-chain of sorts, one in which each aspect is its own living organism that takes watchful care and dedication and one in which is vital to the breathing machine that is a communal art form.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

1. This would undoubtedly have to be passion. Passion for film has driven me since I was a kid. I have always known what I’ve wanted in terms of what I have wanted to create. I’ve always been interested and I have never wanted anything else. Try me.
2. Momentum. I always joke and say, I’m like a shark, I can’t stop swimming or I’ll die. I think parts of that statement are true, I hate sitting down and doing nothing. My mind must always be free to wander, free to investigate, free to explore and free to speak. Without the craving for creation I would be stagnant and my personality doesn’t quite fit that mold. Yeah, I’m always busy, but to me, busy doesn’t mean dread- it translates to a life of dedication and adventure.
3. Work. I think this is true with anything- if you don’t do the work, you will not see the results you want. You won’t be perfect every time, but you’ll be better and better every next chance.

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?

I am always looking to collaborate with people who are likeminded in their passion. I love working with all kinds of people, especially those who share similar qualities. I love creating dark films that thematically question reality which often translates to horror or thrillers and dark visual landscapes oozing with drama and elegance through details. Emotions are visceral, tones are raw and the haze is usually thick. If that sounds fun to you, let’s do it.

Email is a great way to reach me:
[email protected]
@mikylabordner (instagram)

Contact Info:

Image Credits

1. Water Series Session- Kenji Shimizu Photography
2. “Pop” Wr. & Dir. by Alwin Firmansyah, DP Logan Floyd
3. “15 to Sunrise” Co-Wr. & Dir. by Joel Austin and Co-Wr. by Robert Capron, DP Padraic O’meara
4. BTS Photo during production for a recent November 2024 feature film – Producing and 1st Assistant Directing

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