Meet Gina Crow | Writer/Director

We had the good fortune of connecting with Gina Crow and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Gina, other than deciding to work for yourself, what else do you think played a pivotal role in your story?
Deciding to be a filmmaker. The challenge isn’t in the work itself, it’s in deciding to do the work. To fully commit to your vision, and to be able to unite a team behind a shared narrative, you’ve got to have a crystal clear idea of where you are going. For ten years, I focused solely on image and sound in place of writing. That decision, to pursue a challenging medium over a comfortable one, was the hardest thing I’ve ever done. When ten years had passed, I returned immediately to writing and storytelling – to the art of film. Now, I feel as though I understand the pieces of the puzzle and I finally have enough fluency to put them there. That clarity only increases with time.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
All artists are the keepers of human memory. In particular, as a writer/director, I believe the art of film catalogs time itself. It exists as frozen frames, slices of our vision, our emotional compass. I’ve been in love with it ever since I was a little girl, watching films on the school bus on my iPod Classic – the screen was tiny. It was and will forever be my first love.

When I was twenty years old I was studying poetry at the graduate level. A young woman was reading a poem about a sunflower to our cohort. I slowly crumpled the poem as she read, full of disdain and remorse that she would attempt to pull a William Blake with such youthful writing. I threw my crumpled copy at her as she read the last line. That same afternoon in my childlike stupidity, I swore to myself I wouldn’t write or publish any writing for ten years. I would study music, and learn how to express myself in a more abstract, emotive form as to avoid amateur embarrassment.

The strange thing was, I went through with it. I had an entire career in music in the ten years that were to follow; as a music producer and touring DJ, I traveled the world playing clubs and festivals. Slowly, in my deep dive to the most challenging art form I could imagine, I began to forget what my true purpose was. I was distracted, yet blessed, and who can be critical when they get so lucky? The challenge of pursuing a medium that was so close, but not exactly the right fit, is something I think many creatives tinker with today. We’re living in an inundated world with technology, advertising, and new experimental fusions of audio and visual expression that can overwhelm our senses. I had to pull back.

I moved to a cabin in the woods of Northern Utah and lived alone off the grid for six months. It was a complete break from the manic, expressive world of the music industry. I started writing again, by hand at first, by the fire. It was all at once extremely romantic and exactly what I needed – harsh, beautiful, and lonely. Slowly, I began to integrate my writing technically. Books turned into outlines, scenes into scripts. By the time I was ready to re-enter society I had found enough strength between the crisp mountain air and my dying ego that I could finally admit my real dream was to become a director.

Today, there is a certitude to my work that I never had when I was in my twenties. A distinct focus, a sharper vision. Those ten years of restricted creativity, in a medium that is a huge component of filmmaking, but not the narrative, nor the image, taught me focus. Most importantly, I finally trust myself. I trust myself to face my dreams with the same bravery I face my fears. That trust builds on my deepest and truest love – the love of storytelling. Years later after all this artistic exploration, I’m a writer/director in scripted narrative. I’ve directed music videos, learned the cutting-edge methods of virtual production, dipped my toe in commercial work and finally found my place in the world. I’ve never felt more alive.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I’ll take you through my favorite weekend in Los Angeles. It’s 5:00 PM on a Friday afternoon, you check yourself out of reality and stop by The Prince for a martini. Film geeks love this place – it’s a location in Twin Peaks, Mad Men, and Chinatown. Light and sparkling, leave before the red walls and comfortable booths tempt you with fried chicken and a second round.

You’ve got dinner reservations at Iki Ramen. What, ramen?! We’re light and sparkling post-martini, what is this comedown??! No – Iki Ramen is the best place in town to get a hand roll. Their appetizers include imaginary things that shouldn’t exist like “salmon burrata” – yes, raw sushi-grade salmon meets Italian appetizer. As mentioned, order the Premium Grab Hand Roll and a bottle of the seasonal sake. It’s delicious.

Night has officially fallen, but we’ve got big plans for tomorrow and you’re still a bit tired from the week. Duck into the adorable Los Feliz Theatre for some Friday night programming from the American Cinematheque. It’s classic.

The next morning, wake up around 10AM and instantly hop in an Uber to South Pasadena. Why? Why, oh why, are we going to South Pasadena? Brunch, baby. You’ve got two options. You can drink at The Raymond 1886, starting with a bloody mary, and continue drinking at The Raymond 1886 through their delicious weekend brunch. Alternatively, you can drink at The Raymond 1886, and migrate to Lunasia by 2PM for some afternoon dim sum. Either way – save three solid hours for cocktails at my favorite bar in the city.

I love that fucking bar, but it’s simply not connected to the pulse of Los Angeles. That’s why you need to go on a Saturday, and treat yourself with enough time for a nap before the evening. If you’re full of energy, swing by The Broad (first timers only; Los Angelenos, please only attend special exhibitions) while the rest of us are sleeping. We’ve got a long night ahead of us.

Starting with pre-dinner drinks at Apotheke – order a potion off the menu for something that feels truly magical. Wrap up quickly and take your pick from the following: Dama, Damian or if you really want to treat yourself and stick to the theme of our weekend – snag a reservation for a kaiseki dinner at Hayato. You will not be disappointed. All of these will feel light enough to carry us through to our second round at Death & Co Los Angeles – the tried and true establishment. If it’s nice weather, feel free to hit Everson Royce Bar instead. We’re pregaming now, baby, and about to head out dancing. Just when you’re feeling good and saucy, it’s last call for rounds in LA – leave. Hop in a car immediately and head to the @foreignerrrrr party. Just join the mailing list, follow the instructions, and learn how to dance.

By the time you stagger home at dawn, don’t expect to do anything with your Sunday. Rest, angel, you deserve it.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would like to dedicate this shoutout to Dalena Tran. Dalena was the first person who believed in me in college, my first true collaborator. In 2017, she edited and designed the first music video I directed, Fury. The entire piece was her vision in post production. Dalena’s personal work envelops me in a sense of meaning and purpose that is unparalleled, it feels like I’ve fallen into a void – my heart beats quicker than it should, and her words weigh heavy as they enter my ears. I always savor the memories with her as one of the purest sources of inspiration in my life.

Website: https://www.ginaxcrow.com/

Instagram: @ginaxcrow

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ginacrow/

Other: VIMEO | https://vimeo.com/ginacrow EMAIL | ginaxcrow@gmail.com

Image Credits
Jade Webster, Michael Legato