This is our backstory

Back in 2016, I gave a talk at my alma mater, Goldsmiths University of London, for the launch of their alumni networking site. I was asked to speak on the role of networking in my career, as well as any tips that helped me along the way of my non-conventional career path.

Before I launched into a summary of career highlights, I explained that, as the child of low income Fillipino immigrants living in London, my family were not connected in any way; therefore, upon graduation, I didn’t have the benefit of any built-in network that might be at all useful to what I might want to do. We didn’t even know anyone that worked in an office – unless they were cleaning it – let alone anyone that would usher me into any kind of media career, so the thought then that I would be doing anything that I’m doing now seemed very distant and highly unattainable.

At the drinks reception that followed, no one spoke to me about the next 20 minutes of my career highlights presentation; they all wanted to talk to me about my backstory. Current students spoke to me about their families, and where they had come from. One recent Russian graduate was from a wealthy family of doctors who had no idea how to support her filmmaking career; another, from China, had only learnt English two years prior but was hoping to become a broadcaster in front of the camera. Many felt alone, and anxious as they were about to graduate – “But I don’t know anyone…” – exactly the same way I had felt all those years ago.

Today, LinkedIn can give you a polished version of where someone’s career has been. But upon reflection, I realised that, when I’ve met people, the things that I’ve found to be most useful or most inspirational have been the random anecdotes from ‘back in the day’ that they drop in at the pub after their presentation, or in passing when I’ve gotten to know them better: chance encounters, leaps of fate, and seemingly stupid decisions at the time.

The things that have shown me that the path is never straightforward. And also, regardless of where you came from – literally and proverbially – you can end up in exactly the same place as someone whose path had greener grass.

Web series wonder

In 2008, my best friend Regan Latimer called me up to work on her first web series, B J Fletcher: Private Eye, and since then I’ve met – and continue to meet – some incredible people from all walks of life who make shows for every type of screen.

Being able to work on this series unexpectedly brought me a whole new career. Alongside a day job in designing audience experiences, I love sharing my experiences in all aspects of making your own show, from production to audience development and brand partnerships, and have done so at web fests, conferences and events all over the world. I also enjoy meeting and mentoring new and emerging creators at meet-ups of Digital Creators UK, an informal organisation I co-founded with experienced creators and industry people in London.

Introducing The Backstory Life

So when I was looking for a project to fill my downtime this year, it seemed only fitting to combine my curiosity of people, my admiration of my peers and the challenges of answering all the questions I get about making your own show into something to share with the world.
I tentatively approached ten independent creators whose work I’ve admired for various reasons over the years and, over coffee, whisky and dessert, we talked about our lives before the internet discovered us.

As you will discover, I had a gap of over a year between completing the last interviews and publishing online when a lot of life happened. Thankfully, personal backstories don’t change – they simply continue, so I am looking forward to following up with this talented bunch in the future. To this end, I owe a debt of thanks to writers and good friends Alexandra Goldstein, Jennifer Begg and Simon Frank, all of whom gently pushed and supported me over the years to continue to bring this project to fruition.

A special shoutout goes to Michael Azzopardi, an extraordinary designer and design educator, whose earlier writing efforts when he first moved into my studio inspired me to document conversation, share and stay curious.

I’ve called this first collection Volume One: The First Ten, and I thank them all for making time to speak to me in London and Toronto.

Actors Jay Oliver Yip and Christopher Rithin met on the set of an indie film on the English coastline and decided to move to London together where they’ve technically upskilled their actor friends, set up a production company and created many an award winning collaboration.

Canadian creators Jason Leaver and Jill Golick have both used platforms that we take for granted every day in ingenious ways to support and innovate through their storytelling, where as Christin Baker set up her own platform to bring content specifically to her audience.

Rebecca Graham, Regan Latimer, Lisa Gifford and Daniel Rusteau are all writers and directors representing people in the industry through their work and their own backstories that they never saw growing up; if you’re Kathleen Wallace, you also embody the narrative on screen in the hope of changing it.

Despite their accomplishments, their backstories are far from written. My hope for this project is that, in highlighting the plethora of backgrounds from where we all came and the experiences that brought us all here, you will continue to be as inspired on your creative journey as I continue to be whenever I meet someone at whatever stage they’re at in working on their own films and shows.

As writer and director Lisa Gifford said, “The ones that stick at it are the ones that do really well, which I guess is the same for a lot of life.”

Rochelle Dancel
Founding Editor
1 August 2018