Today we’d like to introduce you to Hannah Dovnik.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Hannah. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
My journey as a filmmaker and actress started when I was in high school. At the time, I wanted to be a high school counselor. But, I had a change of heart after watching the 2013 version of The Great Gatsby. I was so moved and inspired by F. Scott Fitzgerald’s words, Baz Luhrmann’s handiwork, and the outstanding performances by the cast.
I had a revelation; That can be me. I was transported to another place as the credits rolled down the screen of my modest TV back home in Wisconsin. I realized that I had a great desire to have my name up there someday, and I would stop at nothing to pursue my dreams.
I was always a rather dramatic child, putting on plays in our pop-up camper, having sing-offs against family members, joining school plays, choir, musicals, etc. Even at age 7, I was called ‘bossy’ and a ‘drama queen’. I thought these were insults at the time, but now I know that these are some of my best qualities that have been a crucial part of my career.
In high school, I was heavily involved in choirs and musicals. It wasn’t until my Senior year when I got a lead part in Mary Poppins as Winifred Banks when I discovered that not only do I have a gift, but I inspired others because of it. I have a need to connect with people and understand each other better, and acting is a big part of that passion.
Filmmaking is the medium I use to express that, so why not learn both? I then looked into film schools within my price range, and, let me tell you; there aren’t any. But, I started learning the basics and met some incredible and talented peers at Wisconsin Lutheran High School. Half-way through I decided to look for a school that could challenge me even more, and maybe be a bit warmer…
After I accepted the fact that student debt is inevitable, I discovered SCAD. In a very big and last-minute change, I was enrolled and moving into my dorm in Atlanta. It was scary since I didn’t know anyone at the school, but I knew if I followed my heart I would be okay. I’ve met incredible people at SCAD too and delved into a completely different atmosphere only art school can offer.
Though it has been challenging academically and personally being thrown into this fast-paced world, I wouldn’t change my decision for anything. SCAD has given me opportunities I’ve never even dreamed of, and for that, I am truly grateful. I have acted in numerous student films, indie, and big-budget movies, directed, written, produced, edited, and learned so much more in the Hollywood of the South. I’ve discovered more about myself than I could imagine and grow every day.
Now I am pursuing as many Directing and Acting opportunities as I can, with an incredible support system behind me cheering me on. I wouldn’t be where I am today without my faith, selfless family, and friends who have stuck by me in my crazy-exciting journey. I consider myself lucky and blessed beyond reason, and I look forward to the next chapter of my life.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Many of the challenges I have faced on my journey are sadly a bit typical for any woman working towards her career. I learned early on in high school that you have to be on your toes at all times as a young lady pursuing a job in the entertainment industry. In high school, there are your typical biases that are inevitable wherever you’re enrolled, but they don’t teach you about the bias in the workplace. Because of that awful feeling, that played a heavier part in my decision to change Colleges.
SCAD does a great job in talking about hard topics and creating a safe environment for all people. I still see how women get treated on set, even if it’s not me- I have a hard time doing my job. But I’ve learned that the best thing to do is talk about it because knowing you’re not alone and being heard can make a big difference. Being a woman in this industry alone is a challenge, but seeing and hearing about this unequal treatment of women and minorities make me fight harder for equal opportunities.
Another obstacle for me has been money. I know that if you are a Millennial, your financial fate has been screwed just because you were born. On top of that, my family has come from a line of Immigrants who traveled from Slovenia after the War and stared their American dream, and Farmers and people who fought for our country. Both hard-working and with a love for the United States, but not exactly rolling in the dough. Education has been my parent’s priority, and have sacrificed a lot for my siblings and I to have the future we’ve always dreamed of, even if it meant that they live paycheck to paycheck.
Their generosity has inspired me my whole life, and I can’t wait to return the favor.
Lastly, something that has set me apart as different my whole life, is when I was diagnosed with Epilepsy at age 4. I have suffered from migraines and partial seizures almost my whole life. Not many people know about Epilepsy in general, and most people would never know that I have it. I had silent-nocturnal seizures growing up, meaning I have them in my sleep. The side effects when I wake up are what my Neurologist would say is like ‘A hangover times 10’.
I would miss school or sleepovers because I didn’t get enough sleep or my medicine wasn’t working properly. There isn’t a one size fits all medication for Epilepsy, and a lot of cases never find something to help. I saw a doctor at least once every three months; seeing him more than my Grandma. Sometimes these visits would include an MRI or and EGG where they stick electrodes on your head kind of like Eleven in Stranger Things. Not exactly a normal childhood.
Later I experienced Aura Seizures where my vision would change and I couldn’t see or concentrate very well. This would happen every hour. I developed anxiety and depression mostly due to these complications. I had a great Neurologist, but even he said I was a medical mystery. In high school, my meds stabilized and I was able to live a seemingly ‘normal’ life at the boarding school I attended. But, the symptoms got worse again in College, and will never really go away completely.
I have to get a certain amount of sleep and stay away from stress and electronics as much as I can, so going to College for a film career is not without difficulty. I have had to figure things out in order to live as healthy of a life as possible, and I don’t let Epilepsy stop me. I hope to inspire others with similar challenges and embrace who they are. You can still live the life you dream of. Sometimes the things that we think are holding us back are what make us strong, and just who we are supposed to be.
Hannah Dovnik – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I am a Film student at SCAD Atlanta, pursuing a career in acting and directing. I have studied many sides of the film industry, but I love directing and acting for the camera. I am most proud of my films that I have either acted in or directed.
What sets me apart from others, is that I am not afraid of a challenge and hard work. If I am presented with an impossible challenge, I will do it with a smile on my face. I make a point of going out of my comfort zone every day to learn and grow. I have surprised myself with just how much I am truly capable of. For my last project of my Junior year, our assignment was to create anything we wanted; a 30 second commercial or film of any length.
Despite my other final projects hanging in the air, I finished all and wrote, produced, directed, and edited and 10-page script in five days. It wasn’t perfect yet, and many people helped me along the way, but I made my creative vision happen, and I am proud of myself for going for it.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
I am most proud of my Directing debut for my film, “Assertive”. I went into it knowing very little of what makes a good director and followed my gut instincts. I hit the jackpot and casted amazing talent, I collaborated with a brilliant writer that I worked with back at Wisconsin Lutheran College and my class and Professor doted over her script, partnered up with a visionary DP, and went into production with a great feeling in my heart and a newfound confidence in myself.
Filming on set was a fun environment for everyone, and my producer who found the great location for the shoot tipped off the town paper and they came to interview me and include a spot about our film in the paper. The whole experience was surreal and the film was well-received in class. I can’t wait to see the future of the film and everyone involved. For my first time directing, I couldn’t help but have a “proud mom” moment.
I am proud of the cast and crew, they brought so much to the table in such a short amount of time, but I am proud of how much I’ve grown as well. I will always remember “Assertive” and will use what I learned from the many projects to come.
Contact Info:
- Email: vbhannahnoel@gmail.com
- Instagram: vbhannahnoel
- Twitter: hannahnoeld
- Other: https://vimeo.com/hannahdovnik
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