3R Collaborator: Dakota Jane on Finding Story in the Everyday

3R Collaborator is a curated series highlighting filmmakers whose work embodies creativity, collaboration, and community. The idea is to share the work of these incredible creatives and give them the opportunity to screen, speak on a panel, and share more about themselves through this medium. It’s an exciting development in 3R where we hope to host a huge variety of filmmakers work alongside ours. As we begin this journey, we’re honored to introduce our first collaborator, filmmaker Dakota Jane, whose project Quick reflects her voice, vision, and sense of humor.

How do you feel your voice as an artist has changed from the first skit (Boss Ass B*tch) and short film created with Diego to now? 

Dakota: I feel my voice has changed in a way of maturity, almost. With 'Boss Ass Bitch', it was funny and a chance for me to see what being on a film set is like. Then, with the role change of working with Diego and me directing I realized, okay, I am definitely at the beginning stages but have observed a little something. And now, while I wouldn't say I know everything, or even half of anything; I feel I have more of an understanding of what's possible, what might not be, and a lightly seasoned approach. Almost like going from using text vernacular and starting a big girl. job that makes you use vocabulary words... like vernacular. 

When you look back at your first short film Stay, what feels the most “you” about it, and what feels like you’ve grown past? 

Dakota: When watching 'Stay' I would say the most "me" thing about it would have to be the set design and styling of the character. I love a chance to use black and white imagery, I love dated clothing and the way cigarettes look on film, it brings me back to a time I clearly never existed in, but feel drawn to. Something about 'Stay' that I have definitely grown past is the script, I think I would definitely redo this short and change up some of the verbage and breaks in between. My writing style has definitely become more refined. 

Writing + directing… each demand something different. what draws you to the page versus the set? 

Dakota: The page is like my safe space. Writing is like journaling for me. Even if it's fiction or loosely based on an experience, it feels therapeutic and lets me create the point of view or perception I want to

What kind of stories feel urgent for you to tell right now? 

Dakota: I think the only stories I ever want to tell are relatable ones. Those feel the most urgent and especially now, we're living in a time where everyone has this desire to feel seen or be heard and understood, to the point that they seek it in media that may not even really be relatable to them, but they've convinced themselves "that's so me". I want to remind people that there is beauty in mundane life. Because it [life] is truly eventful and creates 'the plot' for you. Just let your character develop a little more instead of looking for a reference to follow. 

Who or what do you find yourself studying when you’re shaping your style?

Dakota: People. I study myself, friends and family, the barista who makes my matcha, cowowkers. Literally any and everyone I can get a conversation out of 9/10 times have something unbelievable or absolutely believable that has happened to them and it makes me want to hear more and then I put my own little twist on it. 

What part of the process gives you the most joy: drafting, collaborating, directing, or seeing the final cut?

Dakota: Definitely collaborating. I love bouncing ideas off of whoever I work with, figuring things out in the moment and having a team. 

How do you keep yourself inspired when the work feels heavy or uncertain? 

Dakota: Honestly, I tag along with whatever my friends do; they're all super talented and I support them, offer a helping hand and dive into their projects, because watching other people be inspired and helping them bring their visions to life gives me the motivation I need to go home and get back to the drawing board, usually with a new idea or a solution to an old one.  

What’s one thing about being a young filmmaker that feels like a strength and one thing you’re still figuring out? 

Dakota: I'm definitely still figuring A LOT out. I wouldn't even be able to pinpoint that. The process of being a filmmaker and even being in the film industry, whilst also working a regular job- is constant trial and error and learning curves. What worked for one project, may not work for the next 5, and that's okay. With that said, a strength would definitely have to be adaptability and also awareness. Like self awareness, awareness of others and how to create a safe and comfortable environment is super important, but I think it's a generational concern that comes with being young in this industry. 

If someone looked at your work five years from now, what would you hope they’d say about it?

Dakota: I would hope that they would say my work has grown and gotten better, of course.

What does collaboration mean to you, how has working with others shaped the way you create? 

Dakota: Collaboration is community. Without community you have no support and for some, that may work, but for me, without support I would have nothing. I've been blessed with supportive family and friends my entire life and have continued to grow that support in community ventures and creative collaborations. So collaboration to me is a lifeline that I hope everyone has or finds. 

Tell us the story behind Quick. The challenges you faced. How the idea came to be, and the process of putting it all together.

Dakota: 'Quick' is exactly what the subheading says to me, "an almost too relatable story". The idea came to life after a terrible 14 hour workday, where basically everything that happened to the MC, happened to me... outside of the robbery. Putting it together was surreal. I had been hoarding that script since 2020 and never let anyone read it until one day I had the courage to get it made. There weren't any challenges I faced with this short film, I got really lucky with an amazing team, shoutout Freelords, and shoutout to Chubby's Bar in Bayonne for letting us shoot before they opened up. Super amazing owner Edward Fowlkes is for the people for sure. The rest was done at my moms house and in downtown JC so if there were any complications, I was completely unaware of them and was able to direct smoothly.