Today we’d like to introduce you to Genevieve Kertesz.
Hi Genevieve, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I was born in Brisbane, Australia, amongst the koalas and kangaroos in the state known for the best beaches in the world.
I consumed books from a young age and would continue the stories in my mind long after the words had stopped. Enid Blyton was absolutely my creative impetus.
Taking a big leap forward to after school, I didn’t quite know where I should be, I had a knack for business but that never really satisfied the creative voice within. I ended up doing a degree in business, but whilst I was there I took a few film classes and fell in love with the sheer amount of things you could do with the format. That kickstarted my storytelling love again and after a mini-break to travel, I went into a Bachelor of Film at Griffith University.
At first film school was totally out of my depth. I wasn’t a film prodigy and I hadn’t had a camera in my hands since birth…I was there just because I loved stories. The hustle to direct amongst the hundred-odd students meant I had to learn to stand up, use my voice, and learn how to pitch the stories I wanted to tell.
When I finished school, I was lucky enough to get a job as a production manager at a small production company “Two Little Films”. Eventually, through doing a smaller job no one else wanted, I was signed as a director there. There I did a few commercial jobs and then got the opportunity to direct a funded web series based on the best-selling fantasy novel “Nevernight”.
This was a huge opportunity for me and was a big learning curve as the process was over several months. I got to delve into an area I loved – badass female fighter characters and doing work for a project that was beloved by a passionate fan base. In that project, I got to direct animation, VFX and fight sequences. It was definitely one of my toughest experiences but something that really helped me grow into myself as a director.
Whilst finishing off post for Nevernight, I was lucky enough to be accepted into the Master’s program at the American Film Institute. I am now in my second year and have learned so much (sometimes willingly, sometimes through tooth and nail) and most of all, I have met inspiring, creative and compassionate individuals in my classmates.
I am gearing up to create a thesis this year and working on numerous television and feature projects in anticipation of leaping into the industry after my master’s.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I am lucky to have had a smoother road in life than many others. I was blessed with a loving family who have always supported anything I wanted to do.
That being said, I face what most females in this industry face, the questioning, disrespect, and people being “surprised” when I can actually do my job. I have worked with tremendous people in the past and some I’d rather forget.
More interpersonally, I have struggled with my own anxiety in a craft where you often put pieces of yourself up on the screen and not everything you make is going to be a success. It was (and still is) really hard to value my own voice and speak up in a sea of others shouting. I’ll always have to fight the little voice in my head.
All I can say is most people in this industry I know have / or still go to therapists and keeping yourself happy, supported, and balanced is very important.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
At a basic level, I love female lead storytelling – I think there are so many characters yet to be explored on screen. I tend to gravitate to stories surrounding female sexuality, finding your independence and females going against the normal / expected. I have done projects across a range of genres, but I love fantasy, thrillers, and of course drama.
One of my proudest projects to date is a short film I directed about a young girl who experiences an “abstinence-only” fear tactic driven sex education and decides to speak up. I wanted to capture what it feels like to be in ‘young love’ whilst getting a million messages from the outside world on what’s right and wrong and expected of young women.
Nevernight also represents an area I love to explore – fantasy / magical realism. Who doesn’t love a female assassin kicking butt and taking names. I can’t wait to do my next fight scene and make it even bigger and more explosive.
I always inject a bit of myself and usually my own humor in whatever project I do. Even in dark or “serious” stories, there is room to laugh and the contrast or irony is sometimes what makes it great. In my life before film, I worked in a few jobs that allowed me to have intimate access to women from different walks of life and I try to always bring that experience into my work.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
Larry Moss “Intent to Live” Book:
I am a huge Larry Moss fan and have been lucky enough to audit some of his workshops. He always approaches actors with so much compassion and understanding.
Judith Weston “Directing Actors” Book:
I think this is an essential book for every director to read. Judith Weston has a great process for breaking down scripts and I often refer to different chapters and the exercises throughout. Its goal is to help directors talk to actors in a language they can understand – not simply just asking for a certain performance but allowing them to find a better performance themselves.
Shot deck – to find film reference images:
A great reference to find stills from movies you like. This has helped me immensely. My only wish is they start adding television shows as well.
Shot lister – to schedule shoots
A fabulous resource for AD’s to schedule shoots. It also allows you to change the shooting schedule in real-time.
Headspace: Meditation App
It’s essential for every creative to have an outlet for their feelings and emotions and to take care of themselves. It doesn’t have to be mediation (although this app is great if that works for you) it can be music, cooking, arts, etc.
Contact Info:
- Email: contact@gkertesz.com
- Website: https://www.gkertesz.com https://theerlking.com
- Instagram: @gkertesz_
- Other: https://vimeo.com/gkertesz
Image Credits:
Headshot: @urcavaphoto BTS Photo: @olicohen Still 1: @shot.by.shay Still 2: @bencotgrove Still 3: @dirt_mangurt Still 4: @bencotgrove
