Filmmaker Katherine Brooks

Katherine Brooks ran away from her small town home in Louisiana to pursue a career in television and film when she was just 16 years old; with only 150 dollars to her name, Katherine slept in her car in the parking lot of a Hollywood motel.

Now, a decade later and with 14 years of experience in the film and television industry, Katherine has directed some of television's hottest shows and has recently finished filming her second movie, Waking Madison, in New Orleans.

Katherine's extensive list of film and television credits include three seasons of the Emmy-Award winning show "The Osbournes", the highly-acclaimed show "Newlyweds" starring Jessica Simpson, and MTV's groundbreaking "The Real World". She helmed MTV's "There and Back", the latest season of "Meet the Barkers" with Blink182 drummer Travis Barker, and directed and produced "The Simple Life" starring Paris Hilton.

Katherine moved into directing feature film several years ago, after gaining critical praise for her short films, Finding Kate and Dear Emily. Dear Emily can be seen on the compilation DVD entitled Watching You. Since then, Katherine's work has been screened at over 100 festivals around the world and she has garnered dozens of awards, including "Emerging Filmmaker Award" at the Italian Film Festival and the "Grand Jury Prize" at the Chicago Film Festival.

Katherine's first feature film, Loving Annabelle (writer/director), starring Erin Kelly, Diane Gaidry and Academy Award nominee Kevin McCarthy, made its premier at the prestigious Cinequest Film Festival in 2006, and won both the "Audience Award" and "Best Actress Award" at Outfest. Other awards for Loving Annabelle include "Best Feature Film" at Melbourne Film Festival (2006), Barcelona Film Festival (2006) and Atlanta Film Festival (2006), and the "Jury Award" at Paris Cinema Festival (2006); the film picked up six audience awards and four jury awards over the course of its six-month festival run. Loving Annabelle was released on DVD in December 2006, and soon became the number one selling film of its genre.

Katherine wrote and recently finished shooting her second feature, Waking Madison, a film which stars Sarah Roemer, Academy Award-nominee Elisabeth Shue, Will Patton, and Golden Globe-winner Frances Conroy. The film explores the journey of a young woman suffering from multiple personality disorder.

In addition to her impressive history in film and television, Katherine is a member of the Directors Guild of America (DGA). In 2007, she was a Jury Member for Samsung Fresh-Films, the largest teen filmmaking program in the USA, and was the recipient of the LACE Award for Arts and Entertainment, which honors women who have made a difference in the entertainment community.

What is the current project you are working on?

I just wrapped shooting a documentary called Face 2 Face where I traveled the country and met 50 random facebook friends.

What are the upsides and downsides to human interaction?

The upside is connecting and not feeling isolated and alone in the world. The downside is taking things personal when someone you have interacted with hurts you in some way.

How has social media changed the independent film industry?

It has allowed more people to get their work seen and allowed fans to interact more with the artist.

How do you handle rejection?

It makes me want to work harder to prove them wrong.

What does success mean to you?

living with integrity and being proud of the work I do.

How have horses helped you?

They ground me and remind me there is so much more to life than we will ever know.

Did you always want to be a filmmaker?

Yes. I used movies at a very early age to escape and to feel. My dream of making them never changed.

What inspired you to become filmmaker?

Life and film. The magic and power movies have. The power to change us and to open us to things we may have been closed off to before.

What is the best thing about being one?

Sharing your work with others and watching how it effects them.

What is the worst thing about being one?

The amount of hours you have to work.

What is the estimated number of projects you have worked on?

As a director, around 20. As a camera person, assistant, producer.....more than 50.

Who is your favorite filmmaker?

Cameron Crowe

How has your life changed since you became a filmmaker?

I think I have always been a filmmaker, so yes and no.

What is one piece of advice you can give to someone who also wants to make it in the movie business?

No just means they don't understand. Never give up. Work harder than everyone else and make sure that whatever you are doing you put your entire heart and soul into it.

What do you like to do besides filmmaking?

Be in nature, travel the world and spend as much time with friends and animals as I can.

Have you had any other jobs before you decided to become a filmmaker?

I worked as a trail guide on horseback, waitress, I had to dress in a chicken suit once WHICH SUCKED in the Louisiana heat.

What are some of your favorite American films? Foreign films? Television shows?

American - Almost Famous, The Shawshank Redemption, Sunset Blvd., Finding Nemo

Foreign- Farewell My Concubine, Aimee and Jaguar, La Vie en Rose

TV - Kitchen Nightmares, Intervention, Hoarders

Documentaries: Stevie, Jesus Camp, Born Into Brothels

How would you describe your film education?

I quit high school and never went to film school. My education was life experiences and learning to share those experiences through moving pictures. I watch all the commentaries on every movie I watch and I also read screenplays as much as possible. I educate myself by watching those who I feel have mastered the craft and how they did it.

How would you describe the film "scene" where you live?

I was in Los Angeles for 17 years and I would describe that as quite horrific and competitive. I now live in New Orleans because of the tax incentives for film and also because the community or artist there is more about the work than the fame.

What's your opinion on crowdfunding?

I don't know what that is. let me google......okay, yes, well.....if you can do it, I think it's great.

How does independent film differ from the mainstream?

Mainstream is more about creating a product that you know will sell to the masses where Indie is more about telling the story the way you want and not worrying about the "product" aspect of it.

You could go back in time and see any film being made. Which film would it be and why?

Sunset Blvd. for sure! What an amazing film and amazing actors. It would have been a trip watching them.

What's your favorite quote and why?

Be the change you wish to see in the world - Gandhi ---- I believe when we change the reality inside of us it reflects in the world around us. I have tested this theory and found it to be true.

Do you believe in life on other planets?

Yes

Do you ever wish you had a super power? If so, what would it be and why?

No

What is your opinion on movie remakes and sequels?

If they are good and unique, I like it. If they suck, I don't care much for them.

What is your opinion on book to movie adaptions?

Same answer as above.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Go out and make movies!