5 Questions with Kearston Hawkins-Johnson

The experimental “Fragile,” by director Kearston Hawkins-Johnson, is a lighthearted dance film following a masked ballerina through unlikely spaces and feelings. We asked Hawkins-Johnson how the project started, what the biggest challenge was, and a recent film she loved…

1) Can you talk briefly about your background, and how you first got interested in filmmaking?

I’m an actor so I first came into filmmaking with my film acting experience and quickly fell in love with the filmmaking process. Also, I just really love films and was interested in storytelling in a visual way. Creating my own work is important to me and I really wanted to start telling stories that I wanted to see, be a part of, and create.  So, I started with just shooting experimental, non-scripted/no-dialogue, art films or mini documentaries of basically my sister, my dog, or myself. Then, writing screenplays that I hope to one day produce, direct, and be an actor in.

2) What’s the origin story here - what started the project, and what were some of the first steps to get it rolling?

This film was created as my final for my Directing 2 class. This film was inspired by a sculpture that featured a head with broken pieces that seemed as if it was placed back together. With that inspiration, I wanted to film a story that portrayed the feeling of “fragileness” and showing up as yourself even if you are not as put together as you hope. As a way to say, you don’t have the hide the pieces of yourself that you think are “ugly” or won’t be accepted by others. I knew I wanted it to be experimental and abstract with a concentration in dance. Kind of a collaboration between theatre and film. I had specific images in my head on what I wanted to show, but I was unsure how it would look like once filming began.

After figuring out my concept, I asked my friend Brooke Salsman, to star in it since she’s not only a great actor but moves very well and willing to be down with my crazy ideas. Since I wanted to learn more about cinematography, I toke it upon myself to also do the cinematography, in addition to being the director and editor. Then, once the shoot day was set, the ball was rolling.

3) I’d love to hear about the production - how was your experience making it? What was the hardest part, and/or were there any happy accidents along the way?

It was such an amazing time filming this. There was no money/no budget. It was a one-day shoot with only Brooke, myself, and my camera. Most of the film was shot in one take and a lot of happy accidents. I had a couple of locations in mind to film things on campus, but we kind of discovered stuff as we went along. The other people featured in the film are students who were at the right space at the right time such as the skateboarders and those with the exercise looking balls.

The hardest part about this film was the editing process. I am fairly new at editing and found it difficult to put these clips in an order that creates a story. But I had great help from my friend, Aria Brice, who is also a filmmaker and familiar with the editing software. Usually there’s a script with things already in order, but I didn’t have one and had to figure out what can go where in this story. During that process, it was hard to figure out what is important to show and what doesn’t need to make the film.

4) What’s a film you’ve seen, new or old, in the last couple of years that has really resonated with you and why?

One the comes to mind is “Burning” directed by Lee Chang-dong. It’s so visually stunning, mysterious, well-acted, and the simplicity was beautiful. I was inspired by it and really hope I can make films as simple and beautiful with great storytelling such as that film.

5) What’s next for you?

I am currently an actor with the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company, so I am focusing on acting and teaching at the moment. I look forward to creating more films and even writing more screenplays!

Contact Info:

Website: www.kearstonhawkinsjohnson.com

Instagram: @Khawkinsjohnson