Meet
Jessica Lawson, an impassioned filmmaker whose originative visuals make a mark on the international stage. Jessica is no stranger to working with industry trailblazers, including Man Repeller, Estee Lauder, and Tigerlily - just to name a few. Her work gives us a serious dose of reverie - it’s raw, it’s genuine and it keeps us coming back for more. Originally from Australia, Jessica is a seasoned jet-setter and her work takes her around the globe - we were lucky enough to get a glimpse into the life of this self-made muse. Jessica shared with us her journey as a filmmaker - shedding light on her inspirations, personal style, and creative rituals.
First things first, can you tell us about your beginnings in videography?
I studied journalism at uni because I was highly interested in telling stories. I started my first passion project filming a documentary called “Change Makers” where I was the host, I was learning so much along the way and I realised I much preferred being behind the camera and helping create the execution in that process.
What has been the most unexpected or exciting turn your career has taken so far?
I had a few shoots booked in America I went over for. Upon entrance, America hit me by storm. Getting in that door with the productions I went over for caught wave and all of a sudden I was signing a lease in NYC for where I spent a year creating and working my ass off. I was thrilled how much things turned so quickly for me so unexpectedly. It elevated my creativity being in that city surrounded by that infectious iconic energy NYC facilitates through its people and environment.
What rituals do you have that freshen your perspective and motivation when you are in a creative slump?
Perspective and motivation is definitely of so much importance to me on how I approach my work or life in general. I am pretty devout with my rituals of meditation to keep a clear and centred approach to my days, as well as yoga. If I can’t get those in almost daily, it does give me some mental blockages. Surrounding myself with people who I love and respect, who can speak into a situation that maybe I am losing perspective on is very crucial to me as well. Music is also a major component to my motivation – it gets the creative juices flowing.
Can you describe your personal style for us? How has it evolved?
I am pretty minimalistic with my style. I am a blue jean white t shirt kind of girl. Occasionally I love my long flowy feminine dresses, linen etc. I keep it simple, love basics and classic fits.
At what point in your life did you really start to come into your own in terms of personal style?
I think my personal style has always stayed true to the simple and earthy nature that I am. I have a very hippie energy at my core in the way that I love people and nature but I also do appreciate travelling and being in metropolitan cities. I have always kept it 90s to stay medium between those, with my Levi’s and barefeet, or white sneakers. I adapt to what and where I am around whilst staying true to the beach-y free person that I am.
Who / what are some of the influences you draw on in your art?
I am influenced by a collection of things when going into creating a project. First it’s usually the woman or man right in front of me, what is it about them that makes them ‘them’ and how do I shed the absolute best light that represents that person. Another small but massive influence as I said before is the music I hear either in my head or premeditated for that narrative, puts that story into a dance so there is a flow and a motion with some motive. Then of course there is Cass Bird, Playboy, Jacquemus, I love the director Luca Guadagnino.
Where are you from and where is home now?
I am from Gold Coast, Australia. I have moved around a lot in my life. In the industries I have chosen, home is wherever the work or creative inspiration winds are blowing. I often have spent a lot of my life on the road out of a suitcase because that’s where the next project led me. Staying stagnant is very hard for this career. Fortunately, staying still for me personally is equally as hard so I feel pretty blessed I get to call this my job and the world my home. With that said, more recently I have been wanting to find where basecamp may more often be long term. Never thought my world would circle back to where it began, but it actually excites me to think that my official home may be Australia after all.
When you think of your ideal day, where are you and what are you doing?
My ideal day is waking up in Ibiza, Spain. The free and loving energy I have felt there will forever make it my favourite destination. Days filled up with dancing our little hearts out, singing, drinking all the wine, creating with all the beautiful welcoming souls that pass through there with the same agenda – love deeply with no judgements and have a hell time!
What is your dream project to work on? If you could work with anyone on it, who would it be?
I think I am still learning what my dream project may be. Every season I am introduced to something new and exciting that maybe I didn’t think about before. As I mentioned the evolution, I started in documentaries, then fashion, who knows what may be next. I was a professional dancer before anything else so it could be kind of special to get back to my roots and work with The Australian Ballet in some way.
How are you sustainable in your day to day life? Do you have any sustainable goals you’re working towards?I love that these important questions are being asked these days.
5 years ago I don’t think this conversation was so prominent so it excites me that this is the dialogue amongst our industry. It’s a privilege to live and consume consciously, one that I don’t take for granted. When I shop I just buy investment pieces. I’m vegetarian. I spend a lot of time learning from my Grandparents and how they keep everything and reuse and repurpose things. I’m deeply inspired by people devoting their life to change the world and it would be my dream to create a platform that can help leverage all of their ideas into action.
What song would be the soundtrack to your life right now?
Gypsy Kings always.
What is the most coveted item in your wardrobe?
Definitly all things Auteur.
Can you share with us some of your favourite online and print publications to read?
Collective Hub, Self service magazine,Vintage Playboy, Nowness, Ignant.
Top 5 favourite films?
I Origins, Paris Texas, Call me by Your name, The bigger splash, Moulin Rogue, We the Animals.
@JESSIELAWSON00
