Dear Bryce #002
Welcome to Dear Bryce! This is the Nine Muses advice column where I (Bryce Dallas Howard) humbly respond to your questions about navigating the entertainment industry and beyond. If you’re wondering how to balance life and work, seeking answers about the storytelling and filmmaking process, or just want to know more about a favorite past or upcoming project, stay tuned for more of Dear Bryce!
This week, a reader asks…
My 13-year-old daughter dreams of becoming a director/writer. How do I support her at the start?
First things first: if you haven’t already affirmed your daughter's dreams, tell her! And if you have, continue. Verbal, enthusiastic support goes a long way, especially at an age where imposter syndrome flares high. What you want to affirm specifically is her curiosity and excitement. This is a time in her life to focus on exploration, not results.
It’s thrilling to watch a young person who is gravitating towards the arts develop into an empowered storyteller. To support that development, I recommend creating an environment in your household where she can actively explore and share her interests (more on this below). Please don’t trap yourself into thinking that the most expensive teachers or classes equal the best parental support, because the best thing you can do is be present and walk beside her as she discovers and develops her talent, taste, and voice. In terms of specific actions you can take, a few ideas…
Research.
Get to know your daughter’s interests by spending time with her and asking questions about the stories she’s most excited to tell. By having these conversations and simply being curious, you can help lead her to powerful insights about who she is, what she loves, and what she wants to say.
What does she love about her favorite shows or films? (Ex: is it the performances, visuals, world-building, humor or drama, etc.?) And when it comes to her favorite entertainment, what patterns do you notice and how can you help deepen that love?
What are other storytelling genres to expose her to? Below is a list of popular genres that I would share with an early writer/ director. If you search any of these genres, I have no doubt that a host of award-winning and classic film recs will pop up.
Thriller
Western
Horror
Comedy
Action/ Adventure
Romantic Comedy
Drama
Science Fiction
I also suggest watching The Story of Film: An Odyssey, a documentary about the history of international cinema through the lens of the innovations from filmmaking pioneers.
Over time, your daughter will become more specific about the directors and writers she looks up to and why. At that point, I would encourage her to continue learning about the work and lives of those she admires. Be curious with her in this process of figuring out her interests, dreams, and storytelling heroes.
Movie Night.
For a budding storyteller I recommend writing (and re-writing) a short story. Then, once your daughter has something she wrote, and if you have a phone with a camera, take a weekend to film a relaxed version of it — almost like a casual rehearsal. You can be your daughter’s best actor, best assistant, best iPhone operator, best anything! Don’t worry about making this the most extravagant production. I actually think the more limited the resources, the more creative she’ll have to get which is such an important skill to develop.
And when it gets tough — something isn’t feeling right or doesn’t look the way she hoped, etc. — be there to listen and encourage her to keep moving forward. This kind of experience is all about building confidence in her words and vision as a storyteller and practicing articulating that to others. That can only happen if you cross the finish line. This is about getting a project done, not perfect.
Ripping the band-aid off the creative process is always the first and most important step, so learning to find self-assurance in this feeling at a young age is such an advantage.
Honesty.
As a parent, you might feel the instinct to protect your kid from critique, especially if they’re passionate and care about what you think. But feedback will only help them grow. So when your daughter asks what you think of her work, be honest with her! What did you admire about what she shared? What could have been stronger, perhaps with a bit more work, planning, or attention to detail? What did she feel best about and what did she feel wasn’t finished yet? Was anything confusing to you? What did you crave more of? Raising an artist who learns the value of not working in a vacuum will be a gift to them for their entire lives.
I hope you and your daughter have a blast and make lots of memories.
xo
bdh
p.s. I was so excited by this week’s questions that I wanted to share a few more responses:
Q: How do you work through a creative slump or burnout?
See: 5 Tips to Break Through a “Creative Funk”
Whether you call it a creative funk, a rut, or a roadblock, all of us have faced that moment when the muses seem to have left us high and dry. Here are five (BDH-tested and approved) tips for how to let your brain rest and rejuvenate.
Q: How do you make a storyboard?
See: Nine Muses Lab: Class #4
This week in the Nine Muses Lab: perfecting our stick figures and drawing storyboards for short films. Plus! Additional ideas for communicating your vision from script to screen.
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