Today we’d like to introduce you to Kate Bohan.
Hi Kate, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I was born in China and raised there until for a time but later through no fault of my own, I was sent away to live on a farm with an aunt in Japan, far away from my friends and family.
This was a very difficult and influential period in my life. I was forced to learn a new language and culture and had to grow up quickly. I endured many hardships. I had to get up at 4:00 AM every day and work grueling long days on the farm. I faced many struggles including the feeling of abandonment but eventually learned to make the best of it and to overcome my circumstances.
Later, when I was able to return to China and rejoin my family, I was determined to make my mark in the world. I proudly graduated from the Chinese Broadcasting University of Journalism where I received my Bachelor of Fine Arts degree as a News Anchor. I fell in love and was married and had a son but sadly, my husband died in a tragic accident in 1997.
I was very sad for a long time and deeply mourned the loss of my husband, my son’s father. I needed a change in my life and I decided to move myself and my son to Los Angeles. I then remarried and had my daughter Kayla, who was born in 2010.
I began writing stories for films that Kayla could perform in and because we both wanted to make movies that can change the world with positive messages, my career began to bloom. The screenplay HARPER was created for my daughter Kayla based on my own story. Kayla also feels stronger and more fearless after playing the lead character HARPER so we both want to continue in filmmaking and storytelling to inspire others for good.
Alright, 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?
Struggles are always part of growing because they lead to overcoming difficulty. My motto is “Never give up your dreams.” When I first finished writing the HARPER screenplay, I thought about how the writing process helped me overcome negative feelings. Now I know how determined I am. No matter what difficulties I face in the future I know, I will overcome them.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
After graduating from the Broadcasting University in China, I became a news anchor. Because I had that background, it inspired me to throw myself into making movies and helping my daughter’s dream come true. She has shown talent at singing/songwriting and acting since age four so it inspired me to also study filmmaking nonstop. I began writing stories for films that my daughter Kayla Bohan could perform in and because we both wanted to make movies that can change the world with positive messages, my career began to bloom. Now our latest film together HARPER is presented in a limited theatrical run for Oscar consideration and will be released this Spring 2022. I wrote the screenplay HARPER for my daughter Kayla based on my own story of finding a path I never expected.
When I was a child, I had to live with an alcoholic aunt on her farm where I learned many lessons on taking care of the animals and the farm. That experience made me feel strong and fearless which became the foundation of the story that led to my career as a filmmaker. Also, I am currently writing more scripts and making movies that will inspire people to be kind to one another. My films are about overcoming difficult situations and my characters survive and thrive with very strong traits that show others how great adversity can be overcome. The films I want to create will change the world for the better. It is beautiful that Kayla at age 11, is also blossoming in so many ways. She has a large Instagram and YouTube following which has also made this journey inspiring. We always hope our work will inspire others with positive messages through filmmaking.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
Los Angeles has such a large variety of people that I can always find good people to know and work with. The smog is probably what is the least enjoyable and of course LA traffic.
Contact Info:
- Email: kate@kaylaproductions.com
- Website: https://www.harpermovie.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harpermovie/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100006779479114
- Twitter: @IndicanPictures
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VXm__YZBmlo
- Other: https://vimeo.com/647134331
Image Credits:
Kate Bohan
