Creativity At Any Age
Kathy Roselli is a Producer, Director and Camera person at K-Rose Productions – Films that Blossom. She and her editor, Patricia Somers, created a video for the title track, “Set Me Free” by Janie Worm. Her work is thoughtful and creative. After the music video was made, I asked if she would share her experience as a Spotlight expert in the field of film and video so that others might find inspiration and connection. Here’s her story.
Kathy, thanks so much for your willingness to share your heart and answer some questions about your journey in film. Let’s get started.
JW — How did you get into filmmaking?
KR — I’m a retired Pediatric Physical Therapist who re-invented myself as a filmmaker in my early retirement. I had always loved “going to the movies” and felt moved by an inner voice to take up filmmaking as a new creative outlet. I knew in my heart I should follow up on the guidance. The first thing I did was to get to work on the technical part – I bought a video camera, took TV studio production at the local community college, learned the basics and then decided to make my first independent film.
JW — Tell me about your films.
KR — It was easy to decide on my first subject – Isabelle. She is a young girl with Rett Syndrome I met when she was a toddler. Though challenged by seizures, unstable movement and lack of speech, she took the world in through her eyes and experienced joy. Portrait of Isabelle took three years to complete and ended up showing Isabelle’s partial integration into a regular third grade class. It was screened in the Focus Film Festival in Chico California in 2012 and went on to win two awards – The Spirit of the Festival Award and Audience Choice. That experience felt like an endorsement from Spirit to continue to pursue my new avocation!
JW — What inspires you?
KR — I like to focus on uplifting topics which I would describe as stories from the heart. I am often inspired by subjects that “download” into my brain. Two of my films focused on topics we don’t often think about – breathing and aging. My film about breath is called Breath in Three Verses, and “OLD?!” looks at growing older at every age. I also like to focus on personal stories (we all have a tale to tell!) and have made two films about creative elders.
JW – What was your experience like with the music video, “Set Me Free?”
KR — I continue to experience inspiration from Spirit. Creating Janie’s music video is a good example. We were both heading to a seminar and wound up sitting next to each other on the plane. I had heard Janie sing several times and was always uplifted by her original songs. As we got to talking I found myself asking her if she had ever had a music video for one of her songs. When she replied that she hadn’t, I found myself volunteering to create one. As my heart said “Yes” my brain said “Yikes! You’ve never done anything like this before.” But the process had begun!
Janie chose “Set Me Free” as her song for the video. It took us about six months of back and forth collaboration through an exchange of personal videos, Janie’s CD release party footage and an integration of archival footage from some of my past shoots. Now Janie has a music video and I want to make more! (When I start a film I never know how long it will be, and I am often challenged by what kind of soundtrack to create. With a music video, those features are all set.)
JW – What have you learned from filmmaking?
KR — I’ve learned so much from launching into a new area of creativity. Here are a few thoughts:
- Listen to that inner voice that urges you to try something new.
- Pay attention to things that all of a sudden drop into your consciousness seemingly “out of the blue.”
- When your brain gets all worked up but your heart says “Yes!” listen to your heart.
- Find mentors and collaborators for your art. I have to give film editors a huge shout out. I have worked with four different amazing female editors to manifest my films and without them I wouldn’t be a filmmaker.
- If you feel stuck, take a break and do something that nourishes your creativity – walking in the woods, reading a good book, eating chocolate!
- Don’t forget to have fun!
JW – For those who may wish to pursue a career or hobby in film, can you recommend what to look for in a quality camera, film editing software or equipment?
KR – The whole question about cameras and editing software is huge. Everyone can make a movie with a smartphone and an editing app. If you want to be more serious, I always think it’s a good idea to take a class through your local college or sign up to learn about producing a show at your local cable station. A professional videographer friend of mine pointed out that today’s high end consumer cameras are smaller and more advanced than the expensive professional cameras he worked with just a few years ago. I have gravitated toward Canon cameras and have used a Canon 5DMarkii (a DSLR camera that takes full frame video ) and a Canon XA 30 camcorder for my work. B&H Camera is a great online resource and their staff will answer questions via live chat. They also sell used gear. Just a caution – it’s easy to spend HOURS researching cameras!
JW – Kathy, thank you so much for sharing your wisdom around filmmaking. Do you have any closing words?
KR — With my filmmaking I get to play with Light and Sound and bring stories from the heart to life. I meet wonderful people in the process. I’m so grateful that Spirit gave me this direction. I’m proof that you can be creative at any age!
With her gift of filmmaking and a generous heart, Kathy Roselli offers inspiration and gives voice to many creative perspectives. Check out her films at www.k-roseproductions. I think you will be glad that you did.
*Feature image at top by atlantis0815 on Pixabay.
Katherine Roselli, filmmaker and creator of K-Rose Productions.
Photograph by Kristy Walker.
Janie Worm’s “Set Me Free” video.
Joy is the simplest form of gratitude.
—Karl Barth
Insider Notes
In the closing scenes of the “Set Me Free” video, Kathy found footage she had recorded a few years earlier of a little girl playing in the leaves. She then placed us in juxtaposition of each other, which works fabulously! As fate would have it, just before the final touches of the video were complete, she ran into this little girl, now a few years older, with her mom. She let them know about the video so they could watch. I’m so grateful for these wonderful coincidences, and for all the loving hearts involved. =]
