From PA to…Music Video Director: Meet Justine

Posted By Laryssa on Apr 28, 2015

Being a PA isn’t easy work, and it takes a certain amount of determination to stick around and push through the ridiculous hours and mundane tasks until you reach your dream job. When I look around at my co-workers, the majority of people I PA’ed alongside years ago are doing what they set out to do — they’re directors, DGA ADs, directors of photography, sound mixers, 1st ACs, etc. It took hard work and several crazy hours, but they made it. So, today, I’m introducing “From PA to…”, where I’ll feature the story of one of my amazing and successful cohorts. To start it off, please meet the talented Justine! I first met Justine on a music video set as an intern when she was just starting out. Whenever she could, she chatted with crew members about her upcoming music video project. “I’m renting a RED, and I want to do it right,” she was saying. While most of her classmates were completing projects with other students, Justine was going after experienced crew in town. She’d already recruited the assistance of a few, and several more crew signed on to help her. She wasn’t arrogant, nor was she begging for help — she was passionate and driven. She wasn’t going to wait for someone to give her the title of Director, she claimed it for herself. Now, Justine is a successful music video director, and has some great advice for others. Did I mention she’s directed a music video for Dolly freaking Parton?!    At what age did you decide you were going to pursue a career in film/tv? When I was 13, I saw The Lord of the Rings trilogy and knew I wanted to make films. I spent most of high school filming and editing my own little films. There weren’t any filmmaking opportunities in Kentucky, so when I turned 20, I left for film school in Nashville.   How did you get your foot in the door?  My junior year of film school, I interned with a local production company. I was able to work as a production assistant on a handful of music videos, commercials, and reality tv. I soaked up as much information as I could and took every opportunity to network. I began applying the skills I learned to my own projects and recruiting local crew to come out for my senior project. As I began my senior year, I was already booking paid gigs.   How long did it take to go from Intern to Director? How did you do it?  I began interning in 2011 and slowly began working as a production assistant until I graduated in 2012. I worked...