How I Got Here: The founder of film production company Majella on working in a male-dominated industry
PHOTOGRAPHY BY PHEBE SCHMIDT
WORDS BY IZZY WIGHT
“The greatest part is the storytelling – reaching people all over the world on a personal level and being able to bring some magic into whatever realm they’re living in.”
Have you ever stalked someone on LinkedIn and wondered how on earth they managed to land that wildly impressive job? While the internet and social media might have us believe that our ideal job is a mere pipe dream, the individuals who have these jobs were, believe it or not, in the same position once, fantasising over someone else’s seemingly unattainable job.
But behind the awe-inspiring titles and the fancy work events lies a heck of a lot of hard work. So what lessons have been learnt and what skills have proved invaluable in getting them from daydreaming about success to actually being at the top of their industry?
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Welcome to How I Got Here, where we talk to women who are killing it in their respective fields about how they landed their awe-inspiring jobs, exploring the peaks and pits, the failures and the wins, and most importantly the knowledge, advice and practical tips they’ve gleaned along the way.
This week we speak to Gabrielle Majella, an acclaimed producer, director and sole founder of the film production company, Majella. Coming from a small country town, Gabrielle spent the formative years of her career working to establish herself in the male-dominated film industry. She learnt to turn her disadvantages into an identity, using her work to prioritise and celebrate minority groups in the creative field.
Gabrielle attributes her collaborative nature, determination and people skills to the success of Majella, a company renowned for its introspective and intersectional approach to production. Here’s what she learnt along the way.
What do you do and what’s your official job title?
I’m a film producer and director, and the owner of film production company Majella, Otherworldly Productions.
Take us back to when you were first starting out. Did you study to get into your chosen field, or did you start out with an internship/entry-level role and climb the ladder? Tell us the story.
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I actually studied acting [and] pursued this as a career for a long while. It honestly didn’t occur to me that I could work in production until I started hanging out on professional sets, watching all of the amazing work producers and directors would do. I had this ‘aha moment’ and thought, ‘I could do that’. It’s a very male-dominated profession and was incredibly intimidating starting out – I definitely had imposter syndrome and still do.
I started by making my own work, kind of bulldozing it through by making something on the smell of an oily rag but ensuring it look[ed] a million bucks. There was lots of roping my friends in to help and a lot of faking it until I made it. I think the ladder climb began when people started noticing my work and thinking it cost more than it did, so through grit and determination I eventually had brands get back to me with bigger budgets and opportunities.
With that, the quality of my work expanded. I think the thing that has helped me the most in growing in my career was the relationships that I made early on and nurturing the people who gave me opportunities, no matter how small. I’d say most of the work I get is from people who I’ve genuinely had a great time collaborating with and we gel so well as a team. Filmmaking is such a machine and you need a pool of talented people to pull it off, so holding on to these creatives and growing together has been the best way to progress.
What challenges/hurdles have you faced getting to where you are now? Can you tell us about one in particular?
I’m still constantly faced with challenges every day. I think regardless of where you get in your career, the challenges will always be there (just in new ways, with higher stakes). One of my biggest challenges has been entering a career path that is notoriously masculine, and as history shows, an industry that prioritises the White, cis man as their poster child.
I came from a very small country town with zero connections to the film industry when I started out, so it was difficult when I moved to Melbourne at 18. It was really hard to get people to take me seriously, especially when being pigeonholed as a ‘bubbly blonde’. I found that the way I looked and my gender made it hard for people in the industry to believe in me and trust my skills.
I think I turned my disadvantage into my identity, though. I would team up with other women and GNC creatives who were faced with the same struggles as me, and together we started making really cool content. Now that I’m running my own production company, I prioritise and celebrate minority groups in the creative industry and ensure there is a platform for everyone to have a voice, on and off camera.
So I guess, even though my hurdles are still a consistent challenge (and the further I excel in my career, there are bigger and scarier challenges ahead), I feel that they shaped who I am today. This perfect storm… helped me really define my beliefs in making the film industry a more inclusive, safe and positive place.
What do you want people to know about your industry/your role? What’s the best part about your role?
Filmmaking is a weird and wonderful exercise. It’s not like going into the same job five days a week and knowing exactly what is expected of you. Every project is completely different, working with new faces and personalities and navigating creativity in a highly collaborative way.
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They are long days and you find yourself in the craziest situations, but I think it’s the best job in the world. The greatest part is the storytelling – reaching people all over the world on a personal level and being able to bring some magic into whatever realm they’re living in.
What would surprise people about your role?
Maybe how emotionally vulnerable the work makes you feel. I think the creative industry is one of the most exposing situations that you could ever experience. Each day, people write and create their most authentic selves in their work, giving their everything into a project in the hope that someone simply watches it and thinks it’s cool. People don’t realise the army and the time and the detail that goes into a production.
The average person would probably watch the end credits and think, ‘Wow, that’s so many people for a 90-minute movie’ – at least, I used to think that! But now, working in production has made me realise every single one of those people in the credits is vital to the team and we’re all just as nerdy and passionate about what we’re making as each other.
What skills have served you well in your industry?
My people skills have been one of the most important things to me. I like to think I’m a personable person and always wear my heart on my sleeve… I feel like people appreciate authenticity. The next most important trait is just not giving up. It’s a ruthless industry and it’s always a million nos to one yes… I’ve learnt to just go for it, and then it’s always a nice surprise when something works out.
I know everyone says the hustle culture is dead and I’m 100 per cent an advocate for self-care, but I’ve always admired people who give their everything to something they love, as long as they know their limits and prioritise themselves as well. I think the passion is a beautiful thing.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to be in a role like yours one day?
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Put yourself out there in any way you can. Get on set, talk to people, follow up with people and be persistent. Create your own work, collaborate with those who are in the same boat as you and nurture those relationships. Things change very quickly in the film industry and people can blow up out of nowhere, so ensuring that you’re always kind and open with everyone you work with will come back around.
Also, try not to take rejection personally and instead use it as fuel for the next opportunity. The amount of cold emails, calls and events that I’ve relentlessly put myself out there for and gained no response in return is insanity, but it’s also given me the grit to keep going. The way I see it, the only possible way you could fail is if you quit.
Everyone has been where you are when they started out, so you’ll be surprised at how many people want to help if you just ask. On the flip side, make sure you look after yourself. You can burn out in this industry, so make sure you prioritise your health and your boundaries so that you can also have a life. Look out for those who you’re working with, too, as we’re all in this together!
What about a practical tip?
A practical tip would be if you don’t know something or how to do something, just ask. There will always be someone willing to help and in such a fast-paced industry… you want to have confidence in what you’re doing rather than just guessing.
Read the rest of the How I Got Here series here.
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