From Screen to Stage: A Creative’s Journey Through Film and Theatre

In a cracking conversation with Chris Jones, founder of the London Screenwriters Festival, Talent Campus alumna Vera opens up about her fascinating journey through various creative mediums. Her story kicks off with her transformative experience at Talent Campus in 2016, where she found her tribe and learned one of the most valuable lessons in the creative industry: “Find your people, work with your people.” It’s not about chasing blockbusters, she emphasizes, but about finding the right collaborators who bring creative fulfillment.

Vera’s path through filmmaking started with two short films that really showcase her growth as a creative. Her first project, “Psyche,” came from the Create50 challenge and taught her a pretty tough but important lesson about letting go. When a young German director adapted her work, she had to learn to be cool with someone else’s interpretation of her vision. Talk about a character-building experience! But then came “Blue Widow,” where she stepped up to the director’s chair herself, finally getting to call the shots (literally and figuratively).

The conversation takes an interesting turn when Vera discusses her growing passion for environmental issues and how she managed to snag an opportunity to work on a docudrama project. This hybrid beast of fiction and documentary elements came about through her Talent Campus connections – proof that networking really does pay off! She drops some real talk about big projects, noting how “the bigger the project gets, the longer it takes to be made.” Anyone who’s worked in film can probably relate to that one!

But here’s where things get really interesting – Vera takes a complete left turn into theatre directing. She ends up helming “Much Ado About Nothing” for a professional theatre company in Frankfurt. Now, you might think jumping from film to theatre would be scary (and you’d be right!), but Vera took that leap of faith anyway. The cool thing is, she discovered this whole new world of immediate audience reactions and live storytelling that you just can’t get in film.

What’s particularly inspiring about Vera’s journey is how she refuses to be boxed in by one medium. She’s out there directing films, working on environmental documentaries, and commanding theatre productions like it’s no big deal. It’s a masterclass in creative versatility, and it all started with taking that first step at Talent Campus. Her story really drives home the point that sometimes the best opportunities come from being brave enough to try something new.

Looking at the bigger picture, Vera’s experience perfectly illustrates how a creative career isn’t always a straight line – it’s more like a crazy, exciting zigzag through different forms of storytelling. Through all her adventures, she’s kept that core lesson from Talent Campus close to her heart: it’s all about finding your people and creating meaningful work together. Her journey shows us that success in the creative industry isn’t just about the end product; it’s about the fulfillment you find along the way and the community you build around you.

The most refreshing part about Vera’s story is how genuine and down-to-earth she remains despite all her accomplishments. She’s not afraid to admit when she’s nervous about trying something new, but she does it anyway. Her journey from screenwriting to film directing to theatre production isn’t just impressive – it’s a reminder that creative fulfillment can come from the most unexpected places, as long as you’re brave enough to explore them.