Jennifer Morrison — The Bare Magazine

Beautiful creator/actor/director Jennifer Morrison served as a juror recently for the Tribeca/Chanel Women’s Filmmaker program, Through Her Lens, in NYC. We had the privilege of getting a few behind the scenes moments with her to chat and take a few photos. She was days away from moving into a new home in NYC, to begin production contributing her directing skills to a soon to be announced limited TV series. Her amazing work in front of the camera can only add more magic to the art she creates from behind the lens. While we anxiously await more from JM check out her production company (with partner Gerardo Celasco) and cool book club Apartment 3c. Scroll on down to find out more on Morrison!

The Bare Magazine: Fill us in on what it was like serving as a juror for Through Her Lens - the Tribeca / CHANEL Women's Filmmaker program?

Jennifer Morrison: Serving as a juror was such an honor. The whole program was inspiring. Gathering with creative women in order to support emerging voices is intoxicating in the best way. Creativity breeds creativity - So being in that environment really gets the new ideas flowing. All of the final projects were outstanding and it was nearly impossible to select one over the others.

Bare: Please tell us about your long standing love for all things CHANEL?

JM: CHANEL as a brand is known for its timeless elegance and attention to detail. When I think of their clothes I think of strong, independent women.

Bare: What would you say is so unique about the female lens or perspective that makes it so valuable?

JM: I guess the real thing is wholeness. We want all sides of the stories being told. We want everyone to be able to see themselves represented on screen and within storytelling. By pulling forward female perspectives we are finally aiming at a chance for balance.

Bare: What was your biggest inspiration to get behind the camera and when did it come about?

JM: I started directing theater in high school, so I always had the drive to tell the whole story, but I was also in love with cinema. I travelled with my favorite DVD’s when I knew I would be away on jobs for longs stretches. I watched and rewatched films that I loved in order to get a sense of what moved me and what lit me up creatively. I asked millions of questions on sets and accumulated answers from the creatives that surrounded me. When I was working on ONCE UPON A TIME, I felt that I had finally acquired the technical knowledge that gave me to confidence to attempt by first short film. I was hungry to make a film using an accumulation of memorable shots that I had fallen in love with in my extensive viewing hours. I think more than anything, I was just curious to see how to achieve the technical stuff while also presenting an emotional story. A big part of the timing for me was also meeting Andrew Carlberg. He produced my short film WARNING LABELS as well as my feature SUN DOGS, and having his support really made becoming a filmmaker possible for me at that time.

Bare: Do you feel the world is embracing multi - hyphenates and those pursuing more than one creative passion more than ever?

JM: I hope so. I have a hunger to keep moving between mediums. I feel more inspired in all areas when I am moving between acting, directing and producing. I think creatives will always face the human instinct to label what or how someone does something, but pushing against those labels is exactly what grows our creativity. I try to see the doubt as an opportunity to grow and be better. You have to make your work inevitable. You have to make your talent inevitable in order to stay relevant and pushing against obstacles sharpens the craft.

Bare: Can you share what you are working on next and what excites/challenges you most about it?

JM: I am directing the first four episodes of a soon to be announced limited series. We are cross boarding all four episodes, which means we are basically filming a four-hour film. I am excited to take on that amount of content. I think living inside the story for a longer time, will give me an opportunity to really access the characters and the visual in a more meaningful way. Since the show is an anthology series, I also get to create a whole new visual world, particulate in casting, and oversee the production design of the project. I really enjoy being able to shape the visuals for a project.

Bare: How is directing TV different from directing a film?

JM: On a film, the director is the over-arching final decision-maker. On television, it is the show runner who has the final say. Therefore, on a film, the director really has to have a clear vision and plan for the visual, the tone, and the performances. For television, if it is a pilot, it feels very much like a partnership with the show-runner, but always knowing that their taste will take precedent in the end. And when it is episodic directing, your job is to study the visual plan and tone of the show and do your absolute best work within what has already been established as the look of the show. I enjoy both for different reasons. The partnerships that I have had with my show runners are really special and have been super additive to my creative process.

Bare: Has stepping away from diving into characters for long periods of time enabled you learn more about you?

JM: It’s mostly just allowed me to be me while I create. In order to be an actor, you have to have long stretches of giving yourself up in order to create someone else. As a director, I get the same thrill of creating but while I am still being myself. I love both. But I think those stretches of creative time as myself have really made my life richer.

Bare: Please list your top 5 beauty bare essentials?

SYMBIOME skin care - I am obsessed. It transformed my skin

AUGUSTINUS BADER cream - I cannot imagine life without it.

IN COMMON Magic Myst - detangles and de frizzes

STURM sun block - doesn’t smell like sunblock and keeps my skin clear

FREDA SALVADOR shoes - the boots, the sandals, the slippers, the slide on sneakers - they are simple, chic and don’t hurt my back even when I stand in them all day.