Rising Star Kate Bohan of ‘HARPER’ On the Five Things You Need To Shine In The Entertainment Industry
Filmmaking is a collaborative process, so you need to have a passion for storytelling. I found a terrific team to work with me on HARPER.
As a part of our series about pop culture’s rising stars, I had the distinct pleasure of interviewing Kate Bohan.
Kate Bohan is an award-winning Chinese- American writer, director, and producer of American cinema and a member of the Writers Guild of America West.
In 2018, she wrote and directed a feature film called “Kayla” which won a Best Screenplay award and several Best Director awards across multiple film festivals. Then, in 2020, she wrote, directed, and produced her second feature film, her most personal film, called “Harper.” Based on Kate’s own family story, the feature film “Harper” shines a light on an 11-year-old heroine Harper played by Kate’s own daughter Kayla Bohan, as she struggles to find her place in the world after sudden disaster befalls her and is set for a Spring 2022 release date.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Can you tell us the story of how you grew up?
Iwas born in China and raised there for a time but later through no fault of my own, I was sent away to live on a farm with an aunt in Japan, far away from my friends and family.
This was a very difficult and influential period in my life. I was forced to learn a new language and culture and had to grow up quickly. I endured many hardships. I had to get up at 4:00 AM every day and work grueling long days on the farm. I faced many struggles including the feeling of abandonment but eventually learned to make the best of it and to overcome my circumstances.
Later, when I was able to return to China and rejoin my family, I was determined to make my mark in the world. I proudly graduated from the Chinese Broadcasting University of Journalism where I received my Bachelor of Fine Arts degree as a News Anchor. I fell in love and was married and had a son but sadly my husband died in a tragic accident in 1997.
I was very sad for a long time and deeply mourned the loss of my husband, my son’s father. I needed a change in my life, and I decided to move myself and my son to Los Angeles. I then remarried and had my daughter Kayla, who was born in 2010.
Can you share a story with us about what brought you to this specific career path?
When my daughter Kayla was four years old, she told me that she wanted to become an actress. After graduating from the Broadcasting University in China, I became a news anchor. Because I had that background it inspired me to throw myself into making my daughter’s dream a reality. I studied filmmaking nonstop. I began writing stories for films that Kayla could perform in and because we both wanted to make movies that can change the world with positive messages this career began to bloom.
Can you tell us the most interesting story that happened to you since you began your career?
I wrote the screenplay HARPER for my daughter Kayla based on my own story of finding a path I never expected. When I was a child, I had to live with an alcoholic aunt on her farm where I learned many lessons on taking care of the animals and the farm. That experience made me feel strong and fearless which led to the foundation of my career as a filmmaker.
Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
When choosing the team and crew members it’s very important to remember to pick people who are talented but are also willing to work collaboratively. When shooting the movie HARPER, I learned you have to choose your team very carefully or they might quickly become your enemies.
What are some of the most interesting or exciting projects you are working on now?
I am looking forward to the theatrical release of HARPER in the Spring of 2022. The movie is dedicated to children and people who are struggling with the pain of separation from their loved ones.
Also, I am currently writing my own scripts and making movies that will inspire people to be kind to one another. My films are about overcoming difficult situations and my characters survive and thrive with very strong traits that show others how great adversity can be overcome. The films I want to create will change the world for the better.
You have been blessed with success in a career path that can be challenging. Do you have any words of advice for others who may want to embark on this career path, but seem daunted by the prospect of failure?
Never give up your dreams.
When I first finished the HARPER story, I thought about the writing process and how that helped me overcome negative feelings. Now I know how determined I am. No matter what difficulties I face in the future I know I will overcome them.
We are very interested in diversity in the entertainment industry. Can you share three reasons with our readers about why you think it’s important to have diversity represented in film and television? How can that potentially affect our culture?
America has always been a melting pot of many people from different cultures, ideologies, races, and religions. It’s what makes us strong as “the land of opportunity”. That’s what attracted me to America and made it my new home for me and my family.
Movies reflect the ideals which we all aspire to. The entertainment industry is not perfect, none of us are, but storytelling in film can have a great influence on people and their understanding of and empathy for each other.
It is very important for us to share our stories with each other so we can all feel connected no matter where we come from and where we are going.
What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why? Please share a story or example for each.
Filmmaking is a collaborative process, so you need to have a passion for storytelling. I found a terrific team to work with me on HARPER.
Finding the right team is very important and talent with a spirit of cooperation is the best kind of team to have.
Having a positive attitude always helps.
Never say no and always try to create.
Partner with the best in the industry and they will always be there for you.
Which tips would you recommend to your colleagues in your industry to help them to thrive and not “burn out”?
Be true to yourself and never ever give up. Always pursue your passion and you will find a way.
You are a person of enormous influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. :-)
Because I have met warm and wonderful people in my life, I would like to pass that warmth and encouragement to other people. I always felt that I am a very lucky person in many ways. I would like to share with people how to bring light into their lives.
None of us can achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?
My friend Rachael tells me not to hesitate when I want to create anything from a short story to producing a feature film. She says, “if you really want to do something don’t wait. Do it now or you will regret it later.”
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?
“Lift up your head princess, if not, the crown falls.”
From the movie, “Roman Holiday” (1953).
Is there a person in the world, or in the US whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this, especially if we tag them. :-)
Elon Musk of Tesla and Daniel Craig as James Bond because they are my idols in business and in filmmaking. They both have strengths that encourage me to move forward.
How can our readers follow you online?
Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/harpermovie/
Harper IMDb : Harper — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt14063688/
Harper Website — https://www.harpermovie.com/
This was very meaningful, thank you so much! We wish you continued success!