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T
HIRTY-ONE-YEAR-OLD
GABRIELLE Blackwood always
knew that she would be directing
films. At just eight years old, she was
writing and producing her own made-up
plays, recreating moments from the
Pantomime and the Olympics opening
ceremony with her neighbours. She
designed her own stage with just the
right props and relived the glory of
Olympics in her home-made stadium.
By virtue of being a bookworm, she
found interest in story
development and began
watching and
critiquing films.
At a tender age,
Blackwood
took her
creative
energy
seriously and
worked
towards
developing
it.
Blackwood
said that her
film journey
officially
began nine
years ago,
before
heading off to
read for her
master’s
degree, having
already earned a
bachelors of arts
in media and
communication.
She worked as a
volunteer crew member
on numerous
productions in varying
capacities. Since then,
she has been running
her own business where
she directs and shoots
films, documentaries,
commercials, and
music videos. “ It didn’t
start easy and
motivating myself in an
industry that, at the time, wasn’t very
inclusive, was very small, was very
unpredictable and very male-oriented,
took a lot of backbone and was
extremely difficult.”
She continued: “It has been extremely
challenging having people accept me as a
director of photography/cinematographer
or anything related to lifting heavy
cameras or lighting a set, etc.,” said
Blackwood as she spoke about the trials
she faced being a female in a male-
oriented industry. She further stated that
even negotiations over payment were
difficult.
FINALLY RECOGNISED
Her talent was finally recognised and
she was accepted for her work as
opposed to being seen as a threat or a
female in a ‘mancave’. For that, she was
very much appreciative. Although, at
times, she confesses that, “I am still
sometimes mistaken as a producer or
someone pushing paper.” Not until the
client sees that she is the one lighting,
directing and shooting their production,
do they acknowledge her.
Though she had to fight to
make her mark, her hard
work did not go
unnoticed as she is now both a director
and cinematographer. She is the first and
youngest Jamaican to receive a
Commonwealth scholarship, specialising
in film. She graduated top of her master’s
class at the University of Auckland, New
Zealand, with a first class honours in
screen production specialising in
directing drama. Many of her films have
been selected and awarded at multiple
film festivals both regionally and
internationally. Blackwood has lectured
at three local institutions and is the
current president of the Jamaica Film
and Television Association (JAFTA).
Blackwood can’t imagine a world
without cameras but if she was unable to
do what she loves, she said that she
would probably be travelling and doing
some form of humanitarian work, as she
loves to learn about different cultures,
and meeting new people. If not she says
she would be writing or conducting an
orchestra, producing music or
performing.
MONDAY, MARCH 5, 2018
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
D
istinguished
THE
The Arts
Gabrielle
Blackwood
Beyond the lens
RUDOLPH BROWN/
PHOTOGRAPHER
THE GLEANER’S FLAIR MAGAZINE •
22