Spotlight is a series that features a past or current client of mine (or someone I’ve collaborated with in some capacity) as they share a bit of their story, talents, insights, and process with you. You might learn something from their journey, or you might just discover an amazing new business!

Sophie is a freelance filmmaker and film editor, videographer, and photographer. She’s inspired by mountains, rivers, wildflowers, rocks and wild humans wandering out there. She believes the power of storytelling is infinite, and creativity flows best with some fresh air and laughs. Preferring projects with an environmentally and/or socially conscious spin, big or small, she believes change starts with awareness. She’s driven by curiosity, and feels most alive in the splash of a perfect whitewater wave, in the deepest fluffiest powder turn, laughing to tears with friends, and amidst the wildest story.

What drew you to the work you're doing now?

In elementary school I wanted to be a writer when I grew up. At some point I started looking through my parents National Geographic’s and deciding I wanted to be a photographer - to travel the world and tell stories. I went to school for Photojournalism, and through some twists and turns after school I ended up in film production, mostly outdoor-related, and doing some shooting but primarily working as an editor. So, it’s not exactly the Nat Geo dream my 10-year-old self had in mind, but more often than not I get to use images to tell a story (it just happens to be in Adobe Premiere) and I hope in time the travel part will come. 

What do you like most about your work?

Some days I think the flexibility that comes with freelance work is my favorite thing. Other days, when I really get into the flow creatively - that’s the best. And sometimes the work feels neither flexible nor creative and then I tell myself that maybe the work I’m doing can help lead to positive change in my community, region, the world… so I don’t quit.

What have been the biggest “a-ha” moments in your business journey so far?

Honestly, the biggest ‘aha’ moment I had career-wise was having someone tell me that “whatever you do for work is going to be work. Whatever you do for fun is going to be fun.” I didn’t want to hear it, as it contradicted the really nice story I had been telling myself all throughout school: If I loved my work and got good at it, it would feel like a fun hobby and I would also make money! In reality (and maybe this isn’t true for everyone) I had to accept that work was probably going to feel like work most of the time, and that (almost) everyone has to work to survive in society and eat food, and that if I’m lucky sometimes it will also be fun and rewarding.

Any big goals on the horizon?

Well the next goal is to make Pretty Strong really rad. It’s a women’s rock climbing film/collection of films by Never Not Collective and my main editing gig this summer. One of my biggest long-term goals in film has always been to get a piece in to Banff Mountain Film Festival. And then, this year, I went to 5 Point Film Festival with Hilary Byrne (the co-director/producer/filmmaker/editor of their film The Quiet Force) and it was freakin’ amazing. So now all I want to do is find ways to keep going back there year after year to share new projects and be part of that community. Of course finding new, inspiring, world-bettering projects is a key part in that.

Photos by Sophie Danison. See more here.

How do you overcome the hard stuff? What motivates you to keep going?

I asked Katie for help! And listened to her pep talks and advice and did the homework. I have a circle of (mostly rad lady) friends that have to tell me all the time that everything is fine and that I don’t suck. My roommate Leslie and I talk about this so often because on any given day one of us is like… “I’m quitting.” Last fall she was thinking up a long term plan to go to nursing school but for now we’re finishing a big film together and pitching another short. 

My business partner Hilary has been a really awesome mentor, friend and colleague, too, especially getting through The Quiet Force project. I try to remember that eventually there will be another little golden nugget moment that will make the frustrations feel worth it - and there have already been so many. Maybe it will be in an interview with a really amazing character, or getting accepted into a film fest, or getting offered a new exciting opportunity.

A few months ago I had a conversation with the Dad of one of our main characters in The Quiet Force - him with broken English and I with broken Spanish. He just kept saying thank you for making the film, and telling me that what we did is important, and that if only people in power could see the film it would make a really big impact. It felt so good to hear that from him.

Another thing I try to remember is that any struggles I’m having are due to decisions I’ve made, I choose this path of creative freelance work every day, and that my problems are small… perspective is important.

How do you manage your time when working for yourself? Do you have any routines or morning rituals that you swear by?

Sometimes I get really into a morning routine with warm lemon water before coffee and quiet stretchy-time and a bit of journaling…and it’s awesome. But the only real things I swear by are #1: Coffee. Asap. #2 Making it a priority to get outside and get exercise everyday. A lot of editors I know are runners because there’s not always time to get out for a ski tour or go to a 90 minute workout class, or get on the river - and a 30-40 minute run from the office (or house) can be a real game-changer.

Otherwise, I don’t really do routine well. Sometimes I take a few full days off throughout the week, other times I’ll work a bunch of half days. I like variety in each day - a little this, a little that. I procrastinate… I just do. And then I’ll work long days and late nights right before deadline. I’ve just accepted this.

What do you hope to be known for in the long run? 

I hope my work is known for being real. Relevant, thoughtful, humorous, beautiful, quality storytelling… all that stuff too, but mostly real. And I guess as a person/professional I’d hope to be known for being good to work with! So much of film work is collaboration and I aspire to be a really solid member of a team, that coworkers actually want to hang out with.

Find Sophie:

Website: sophiedanison.com 

@sophie_danison on the ‘gram!

All photos of Sophie are ©Leslie Hittmeier who can be found at  http://www.lesliehittmeier.com/