Meet Trailblazer Abigail Kollek

Today we’d like to introduce you to Abigail Kollek.

Abigail, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I was born in Israel to a father writer/director and mother photographer in 1995. That was already enough to “taint” me towards filmmaking. Whenever my parents would do a bit of a crazy thing, like jokingly ask a waiter at a restaurant whether he wanted to act in their movie (or not so jokingly), I’d think with some loving annoyance – “God! Artists!” But, sure enough, I was headed that way myself.

My younger sister and I were raised for a few years in New York City, but when I was about nine my parents decided to move us back to Israel so that she and I could get to know our grandparents and cousins, and our roots. And so, I was mostly brought up in Jerusalem, where I eventually attended high school and served in the military for two years. During my service, I often longed to be free and dreamed of the films I might make when I got out. Almost immediately after my release, I returned here to New York and enrolled at the Fashion Institute of Technology as a Film and Media student.

As a kid, I was always writing weird stories for my friends, watching movies of various genres and making short silly films, music videos or skits (all terribly embarrassing now, but fun at the time). Acting classes helped me break somewhat out of my shyness and opened my mind to the emotional world of movies. FIT is the first place I really got to sharpen my skills, both technical and conceptual, and met talented people who shared similar passions and who became my good friends.

Currently, I am focusing on directing and screenwriting, and am in the earlier processes of planning a short coming-of-age film.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Though I’ve had immense support from my family, it has never been a smooth road. Movies entail endless problems – it’s actually kind of a miracle when you succeed to make one at all! Many struggles are external – dealing with the forces of the world and the industry. Finding actors, getting extras to show up, coordinating logistics, resolving technical hurdles, acquiring insurance, schmoozing with an acquaintance who maybe could possibly try to potentially help you book the space you want to shoot in – the list goes on and on. I’ve learned that you have to relentlessly propel an inner drive to make things happen because otherwise, they simply won’t. You have to want it badly enough, and basically convince all the other people you’re getting on board that they want it too.

Other struggles are more internal – coming up with the right concept for a film, and finding its visual style and voice. I am still developing the confidence to direct – stand in front of a bunch of people and orchestrate an entire production. It’s stressful and scary, and – God helps us – a lot of fun.

I think sometimes, women feel they have to be careful when they are in an authority position, or even when they want to communicate their thoughts and ideas, but they don’t have to be. I strongly recommend owning your presence best as you can. Like my acting teacher once said: “If you have no shame, you can get away with just about anything.” Even little things like projecting your voice and straightening your posture can help you feel more grounded and self-assured, and also come off that way to others. There is no reason you shouldn’t be listened to or for you to feel that the director’s chair isn’t your place.

Another tip is to be sensitive, and listen – to the surrounding of your scene, to the ideas of your crew members, to your actors’ questions, and in general in your day-to-day. You might be surprised how much good can come from just listening.

We’d love to hear more about The Fashion Institute of Technology.
At the moment I am working to flesh out my body of work. More recent projects include two short documentary films, one about late nights in Greenwich Village and the other about a young woman striving to make it in the city. Additionally, I am shooting an experimental film about a discharged soldier searching for the last of her family, as well as developing a short narrative coming-of-age film about an introverted 14-year-old tomboy who is trying to prove to herself she can do what the boys can do.

Do you feel like there was something about the experiences you had growing up that played an outsized role in setting you up for success later in life?
I believe my constant feeling while growing up of being uncomfortable in my own skin has greatly influenced my filmmaking and the subjects I find interesting. This is probably part of what got me interested in “weird” people and protagonists who are outcasts. “Fish out of water,” childhood nostalgia, friendship and femininity vs. masculinity are the major themes my writing and films revolve around.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Other: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1y0FE0wXKFFw6mllnOqGiK76tTjbz–pz

Image Credit:
Diamond Abreu, Onika Richardson, John James Busa, Travis Williams

Getting in touch: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.