NSW Young Australian of the Year – Genevieve’s Story
This week I had the privilege of interviewing a remarkable young woman, Genevieve Clay Smith. A filmmaker and social entrepreneur she is also the co-founder of not-for-profit organization Bus Stop Films, which teaches members of diverse and marginalized communities how to create short films that voice their experiences. A committed Christian, Genevieve’s work as an advocate for social justice and inclusion was recognized when she was named NSW Young Australian of the Year, 2015. An everyday girl who grew up in Newcastle, NSW she epitomizes the spirit of The She Is Project, giving a voice to those whose voices may otherwise not be heard. Enjoy!
Can you tell us about your decision to become a Christian? Was it a clear moment of decision or a journey?
I’ve always believed in God and I hoped that he was real and out there listening to me and watching over me. When I was a teenager, my mum started going to church and I was very against it, but eventually I went along and I met some very selfless and loving people. At the time I was struggling with being bullied and fitting in, so the church community and the friends I made became very important to me – a stabiliser if you will. I gently started my Christian walk simply by attending church regularly, praying and seeking God.
When I moved to Sydney as an adult I began to get more serious about my faith, I felt like I had one foot in and one foot out, I almost wanted God to prove himself, and He did! I saw a lot of answers to prayer and my life began to transform. I dived right into my faith and decided to seek him more than anything.
How did the experiences of your childhood, teenage years impact on your choice of career and the direction your career has taken?
I was always a creative child; I was always drawing, writing stories and performing. I did a lot of acting and it was evident from early on that I wanted to be in the creative industry. When the time came for me to study I chose Media Arts and Production at UTS, because I wanted to learn about all the roles behind the camera, I thought that would help me with my acting, but instead I found that I liked directing and seeing a project go from script to screen! So I stuck with it.
What was the inspiration behind the establishment of Bus Stop Films?
For my final university assignment at UTS I made a short film called Be My Brother. Gerard O’Dywer a man with Down Syndrome played the lead role and I also gave a handful of people with a disability work experience on set, which was a lot of fun. That film won best film & best actor at Tropfest in 2009 and spurred my producer and I to co-found a not-for-profit dedicated to teaching people from marginalised backgrounds about filmmaking and making films together.
How does your relationship with God influence the type of films that you work on and produce?
It does influence me, it makes me take my job very seriously – what I put out into the world is important. I view films as food for the soul! If I’m using one of the most influential mediums in the world to entertain people, I want to bring hope, happiness, laughter, I want the themes to connect with people, I want the premise of my films to be thought provoking, I want to say things that impact and inspire people. I do not call myself a ‘Christian Filmmaker’ – I am a filmmaker – and all I want to do is make films that tell wonderful stories that authentically connect with people from all walks of life.
How do you hear from God?
Sometimes he’ll drop thoughts into my heart which have come from no-where, sometimes he’ll speak to me through other people, sometimes I’ll be reading the Bible and something will jump right out like the verse is just for me. God speaks to me in many different ways.
Can you tell us about a mistake that you have made; what did you learn from it?
I’ve made lots! I’ve lost my temper quite a number of times – that never works out.
I think a big mistake that’s easy to make over and over is the mistake of not letting people in. Trying to work through stuff on your own is hard and it hurts. It’s important to have people around you that you can talk about everything with and it’s important to be vulnerable with.
Best piece of advice you have received/Words to live by..
I recently heard some great advice from Rev. Graham Long who runs the Wayside Chapel in Kings Cross. He says that there’s a lot of pressure in society for people to have a ‘vision’, a ‘dream’ a ‘goal’ – particularly young people. He says that you don’t have to have a dream or know what you want to do in life, you just need a destiny. I like that and I interpret it this way:
A dream is something we make up in our head and visualise, anyone can pluck a dream out of the sky and then spend a lot of time trying to make it happen. The thing is, sometimes those dreams don’t happen. When I was young, I wanted to be an actress – that hasn’t happened. However, having a destiny is open ended it’s bigger than what we can imagine, destiny is about something bigger than what is in your head. Destiny is when you believe that you have something to give to the world and that you’re valuable. All you have to do is start moving towards it – God will take care of the rest.
What gives you the confidence or bravery to step out of your comfort zone and establish new things?
I wouldn’t be able to do anything without my faith in God. I actually don’t think I’m that clever, smart or talented – I really don’t! I’ve just been willing to see what God does with me. I’ve felt destiny on my life, and I’ve moved towards it and I’ve trusted God along the way. I’ve made a lot of mistakes along the way, I’ve been disappointed, I’ve been caught in tornadoes, been through valleys but God’s always picked me up, dusted me off and given me hope. As I’ve inquired of Him, trusted Him and believed in his faithfulness, I can honestly say that he’s never disappointed me. I believe that all things work together for good, and no matter what happens when I step out – God will make it work together for good.
What gives you the energy or determination to persist when you experience a knock back or disappointment?
I don’t have energy sometimes. When I’ve been disappointed in the past it’s been a struggle and I haven’t just been able to simply ‘pull up my britches’ and carry on. But God has been by my side in those times. When I have been weak he has taken care of me, and grieved with me and been my Father. His grace is sufficient enough. We can’t pretend to be OK when we’re not, in fact that’s when God wants us to drawn near to Him more than ever, so that he can be our strength.
What key decisions did you make in your life that you think contributed to your success?
Admitting I don’t know everything and seeking the advice and opinions of people older and wiser than me!
Best compliment that you have ever received?
Anytime anyone ever enjoys one of the films I’ve made – that’s the biggest compliment in the world. I love giving audiences a great experience.
My guilty pleasure is…
I hate to say it, but I do have a soft spot for escapist reality TV! My guilty pleasure is Master Chef and The Bachelor accompanied by chocolate and wine!
My favourite place to escape to…
New Zealand, it is the most beautiful place on this planet! My husband and I love the South Island especially.
Book(s) on your nightstand…
One of my favourite books is by Geraldine Brooks, it’s her Pulitzer prize winning novel March, which is a take on Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women. It tells the story of the absent father’s perspective. It’s a wonderful, wonderful glimpse into the American civil war.
I am inspired by…
Great creative work, wonderful films, novels, poetry, art.
My favourite people are…
Family and friends.
How do you relax?
Travelling to the country, a bath, wine & cheese!
How would you finish this sentence, She is…?
She is willing.
Genevieve Clay-Smith
NSW Young Australian of the Year 2015
Westpac & Fin Review, 100 Women of Influence Young Leader award winner 2014
www.tastecreative.com
