Kymberly Harris, a Director/Writer and the founder of Firsthand Films, boasts an impressive portfolio of acclaimed projects. Her directorial prowess is evident in the award-winning shorts she has helmed, including “Rose’s Turn,” which premiered at Cannes, “FAITH,” recipient of the Best Short award at NYCIFF, and “Now and Never,” honored with The Rising Star Award at CineGearExpo at Paramount Studios.
Notably, her feature film “I Heard Sarah” garnered accolades, earning Kymberly the prestigious Robert Rodriguez Best Indie Auteur Filmmaker of the Year Award at Bare Bones International Music and Film Festival. Distributed by Good Deed Entertainment, the film is now available for streaming on all major platforms.
Beyond her cinematic achievements, Kymberly has made significant contributions to the theatrical realm, directing numerous plays in renowned venues such as Rogue Machine Theatre, Theatre for the New City, Pacific Resident Theatre, and Marilyn Monroe Theatre in both NYC and LA.
Raised in an environment steeped in academia, with both parents esteemed scholars who made substantial contributions to their respective fields and communities, Kymberly’s upbringing instilled in her a deep appreciation for learning and artistic expression. Exposed to the world of cinema from a young age by her father, she honed her craft through acting, dancing, and singing, eventually finding her true passion in directing and teaching.
Her journey from performing arts to behind the camera has fostered a profound admiration for the actors she collaborates with and ignited her fervor for guiding and nurturing emerging talent. Kymberly’s multifaceted background and unwavering dedication to her craft continue to shape her as a visionary filmmaker and storyteller, leaving an indelible mark on the world of cinema.
Below are the highlights of the interview conducted between World’s Leaders and Kymberly Harris:
Which are the major services of your brand?
At Firsthand Films, we make character-driven, personal stories that reflect relevant social themes. I am always excited to take on new projects. At StayTunedLA, I coach working actors privately and on set and teach workshops like the ones I’m offering in June.
How does the brand get ahead in the competition? How are the workshops ahead of any others in the industry?
My life’s work has been honing techniques that train actors’ instruments and support actors’ work. Each workshop I design encompasses specific techniques and offers the chance for actors to work with me as a director on their final performance. Each actor has different needs each time they embark on a character. I don’t separate their craft from who they are. Actors are their instrument. When they tune, they tune themselves. This is a mind, body, and spirit enterprise.
What is the significance of innovative ideas for the brand?
My own engagement is my litmus test. I never teach the same workshop twice. I want actors to keep evolving and growing and have a great time doing it. So, I continue to grow and evolve my practice, and that affects the collective. That’s my job.
Give us your opinion on; do organizations rely heavily on individual heroics or team processes?
I don’t see those things as mutually exclusive. If a team process is effective, when someone has heroic inspiration, it will be supported. If someone allows their ego to take precedent over the greater good, that is shortsightedness. We’re all humans, and it happens. But it’s important to have a leader who understands that the team thrives if we support the success of each individual. We champion each other to reach individual goals, while working towards a common goal. That’s why I’m thrilled to offer THE BIG PICTURE for the first time. I often compare professional acting to professional sports. Growing up and going to Bulls games, I’d watch Jordan play. At their best, you’d see his mind, body, and soul working in tandem, right into the execution of a heroic play only he could do. Can you imagine if the rest of the team didn’t support that? Of course they do, because his excellence benefits the collective.
What are your responsibilities as a director?
First and foremost, to create a safe and respectful environment where actors can freely express themselves, play, and take risks. To make sure everyone on the crew feels heard and appreciated. And then, to make sure each one of us is in exactly the same world with the same story, I try to work with talented people who take their work as seriously as I do. I try to create an environment where everybody brings out the best in each other.
What is the happiest part of your daily routine?
I love yoga and talking to my son. I love my first cup of coffee when I open my email and phone and see what’s happening in the world and with my people. And, honestly, my work brings me joy, and I work every day.
What advice would you give someone going into a leadership position for the first time in this industry?
I don’t think everyone wants to be a leader. It’s an awful lot of responsibility, and it’s only as important as the commitment of the people you are leading. Each position is essential, and has to be empowered. But when something goes wrong, it’s the leader’s responsibility. I truly believe that. I think inherent in leadership is the ability to be accountable to the needs of many. I would advise soul-searching and taking the time to examine what truly inspires you. If it is leadership, you must understand how to help yourself prioritize the greater good. Keep working on your empathy, and understand that each project has new dynamics, joys, and obstacles. Listen. Lead through clarity of intention. Try to balance staying one step ahead with curiosity. Pay attention. Breathe. Everyone involved is a human being who was a little child once. Real power empowers others.
