Teens experience ageism too | Amelia Conway | TEDxManhattanBeach

Summary

A young girl from Texas discovers her passion for filmmaking by creating a music video with a friend. Despite challenges like ageism and self-doubt, she pursues her dream of becoming a director, eventually landing professional projects. Through her journey, she learns valuable lessons about leadership, collaboration, and the importance of not settling for less. Her story highlights the power of defying societal expectations and embracing passion, regardless of age or gender. Ultimately, she strives not to be defined by labels, but as a great director in her own right.

Takeaways

• 😀 At age 11, the speaker created a music video with her best friend, marking the start of her filmmaking passion.
• 😀 Despite having no formal camera skills, the speaker relied on creativity and intuition to direct the video.
• 😀 The music video caught the attention of a creative director, leading to her first professional directing opportunity.
• 😀 The speaker was the youngest and one of the few female directors, which led to feelings of self-doubt and a sense of not belonging.
• 😀 Middle school, where the speaker faced the challenges of fitting in, coincided with her early directing career, making it hard to navigate both worlds.
• 😀 Ageism is identified as a barrier, with the speaker reflecting on how it limits opportunities for both young and older individuals in various fields.
• 😀 Directing has taught the speaker to ask for help, embrace learning, and rely on the expertise of others, rather than feeling the pressure to have all the answers.
• 😀 Over four years of directing, the speaker has grown professionally, realizing that there's always more to learn and that continuous growth is essential.
• 😀 The speaker advocates for not settling in life—whether in jobs, relationships, or personal happiness—as a lesson learned through directing.
• 😀 Through filmmaking, the speaker has found purpose and confidence, moving from being the 'weird art kid' to someone with a clear passion and drive.
• 😀 The speaker does not want to be labeled merely as a 'kid' or 'girl' director, but as a great director, emphasizing the importance of being recognized for talent over labels.

Q & A

What inspired the speaker to start making a music video at the age of 11?

The speaker was bored and decided to create a music video with her best friend. She styled her friend in a prairie dress, used a flashlight and a point-and-shoot camera, and filmed in an abandoned ranch behind her backyard. The inspiration came from the song 'Wolves' by Bon Iver, which guided the creative direction of the video.

How did the speaker's parents contribute to her early filmmaking career?

After the speaker and her friend created the music video, her parents posted it online. This led to the creative director of an adolescent content agency noticing the video, eventually resulting in the speaker signing on to direct her first two commercials.

What challenges did the speaker face when she first started directing?

As a young female director, the speaker faced doubts about her place on set. She often felt out of place, wondering if others were questioning why an 11-year-old was directing or whether she was seen as someone's daughter rather than a professional.

How did middle school affect the speaker's sense of belonging?

Middle school was challenging for the speaker, as she struggled with finding her place among peers and teachers. She was unsure whether to share her directing experiences with others, fearing they might think she was bragging or felt superior.

How did the speaker reconcile her passion for directing with her introverted personality?

Although the speaker was an introvert and found middle school difficult, she felt completely engaged and energized when on set. Directing gave her a sense of purpose and helped her navigate her feelings of self-doubt and isolation.

What concept did the speaker learn through her experience with ageism in the industry?

The speaker learned that ageism affects people of all ages, not just older individuals. She realized that societal expectations around what people can or cannot do based on age are limiting, and that young people, like herself, should not be restricted by their age in pursuing their passions.

What was one of the most important lessons the speaker learned as a young director?

The speaker learned that she didn’t need to have all the answers. Instead of freezing up when faced with technical questions, she started asking for advice and recommendations from others on set, which helped her make better decisions and gain more knowledge.

How has the speaker's approach to asking questions changed over time?

Initially, the speaker was shy and would not ask questions, fearing it would make her appear unqualified. Over time, she learned to embrace curiosity and ask others for their input, which has helped her grow as a director and make more informed choices.

What does the speaker believe would happen if everyone were taught not to settle in life?

The speaker believes that if everyone grew up learning not to settle—whether in their jobs, relationships, or pursuit of happiness—the world would be a better place, with more people finding fulfillment and striving for their best.

How does the speaker view her role and purpose when on set?

When on set, the speaker feels a sense of purpose and drive. Despite previously feeling like the 'weird art kid' in school, she now sees herself as someone with a clear mission and determination to do her best as a director.