Today we’d like to introduce you to Colette S. Knight.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Colette. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I have always known that filmmaking was for me! As a child, I’d watch the full credits and marvel at all of the crew positions it took to make one film!
I’m a native Washingtonian – born and raised in Silver Spring, MD – educated at Howard University (B.A Film) and American University (M.A. Producing Film and Video).
After undergrad, I worked in Public Television and at Discovery Channel. Once I got my master’s degree, I moved to Atlanta and spent time at Turner Broadcasting before jumping into the city’s resurgent film industry. For the past ten years, I’ve been fortunate to work on a variety of projects and alongside some film and television heavy hitters!
Today, I am working as a Production Supervisor -this position reports to the Production Manager & oversees all things logistics for the cast and crew. Together, we work closely to ensure that the film was delivered on time and on a budget! When I do my job successfully, it creates an environment for the creatives – (Writers, Actors, and the Director) to have the tools they need to tell the stories you see on your screens!
Has it been a smooth road?
I always tell people you really have to want the life of a filmmaker! We work job to job, often unable to predict our own schedules – so sometimes, it’s hard to forecast when you’ll work and when you’ll be on the hunt for work. There’s no sick leave, maternity leave or vacation days – so you’ve got to be prepared for the feast and the famine.
You’ve got to learn to work with others (we learned this in kindergarten right?) just think – You and 150 or so others – mostly strangers, will come together; having interpreted this script, combining your individual talents to accomplish a singular goal – hell or high-water we are going to make this film! This means finding solutions where there are seemingly none with people you who don’t look like you, think like you or vote the same as you.
It means you’re on your 3rd coffee while the rest of your circle is hanging out or just crawling into bed for the evening. In worst cases, there’s a feeling that there’s never quite enough time or money – stressors which can create a powder keg.
There’s a funny list about the stages of Production that include “wild enthusiasm, utter despair and the search for the guilty!” I can’t make up how many times I’ve seen people scream at each other one day and dance together arm in arm gleefully after the final scene wrap or at the wrap party itself. I may even have been one of those people in the past – but whatevs. Whatever happens, in the end, we all experienced it together. Filmmaking is a unique fraternity of super cool weirdos.
To that point, I used the word Fraternity because the industry is and has historically been male-dominated, insular and nepotism forward. Hollywood IS VERY SMALL. We get our gigs primarily on word of mouth recommendations – What that means is you need to be adept at building relationships as well as biting your tongue.
Combine those challenges and add being in a position of management. In my role as. Production Supervisor, I can hire a crew and I can fire crew. I’m a little bit “HR”, a little bit “boss” and a little bit “shoulder to cry on”… I have to make time-sensitive decisions and think about the next five steps constantly. I resign myself to a concentrated state of hyper-awareness that can take its toll.
Sometimes, I am the face of “no” which, as a minority woman or a person under 40 may be challenging to accept for men and people with many more years in the industry than me.
I’ve definitely gotten the “come on now, little girl” proverbial pat on the head from people before but I’ve also gotten the “Way to come through, thank you so much” from the same crowd. It’s something I coined the turnstile of confusion. You have to stay focused on the task and remove all emotion. This is something I’m still learning myself.
I’ve definitely been in situations where I’ve been underestimated and even targeted. I face these challenges by keeping it about finding the most production-friendly solution in any situation – that may leave certain departments or crew members feeling shorted or bound. To counter this, I always try to communicate and create a space of “fairness” to the project rather than the individual.
To anyone looking to create longevity in this business, I say put on your crash helmet and stay the course! Always ask for more work as you complete tasks, there’s always something to be done and to be learned – stay humble but know who you are when you walk in that door and onto that set!
To anyone just starting in this industry I’d say ask questions and collect mentors, stay in touch and create a collective on your level – network across and not necessarily up. The people who are heading studios now were all PAs (production assistants) and coffee runners together back in the day. They all dreamed big, together – you will find your tribe!
Most importantly – again, keep asking questions – you will find that whatever you want to know, there’s a person with experience who is willing to answer those questions, guide and help you.
We’d love to hear more about your work.
What sets me apart from others is – I’ve had the chance to work on a lot of different projects – some people only make films or only make television. I do both and I have an extensive background in post-production – this gives me a unique insight into just what it takes at every phase of Production. This allows me to budget consciously – the bottom line is king here. I’m always working to find creative ways to meet a budget. I may be the problem identifier at times but I pride myself on having a solution or two up my sleeve.
As a minority woman in a position of management, I’m mindful to consider diversity within the crew – I make a real push to hire local, Atlanta crew and minority crew members. I ditch the “How many credits do they have?” mentality because sometimes people with a long list of credits have settled into doing things only one way. I’m proud to be able to assemble a diverse crew. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been one of two women and maybe the only minority at a Production Meeting or the Concept Meeting. I make the push to hire what will serve the story the best and a lot of times that happens best when the room isn’t all one color or sex. We’ve got to get together in a room and really connect with one another!
Which women have inspired you in your life?
Honestly, I am most influenced by my circle. I’m really lucky to be surrounded by a lot of professional women, who grind and I mean GRIND. Some of us who started out together as PAs are now working members of the DGA (Directors Guild of America) have jobs at major studios or are producing their own content. In addition to their commitments to their families and social interests manage to keep their eyes on their goals and always seek to help others.
Outside of the industry, I’ve got friends who are doctors, lawyers, educators and engineers – in addition to that they are amazing, loving wives and mothers, sisters and daughters. I mean, handling our business is what we’re supposed to do, right? But when I tell you they do it with grace, they amaze me. I draw inspiration from that because my circle shares how they struggle and when I find myself struggling I draw from the lessons they’ve shared with me.
Contact Info:
- Email: focusthefilm@gmail.com
- Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3889724/?ref_=nv_sr_1?ref_=nv_sr_1
Image Credit:
Photo taken by Kody Wynne
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