Today we’d like to introduce you to Robin Hofmann.
Hi Robin, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I have always been fascinated with TV and Film. I remember making up skits and performing them with my friends and family starting at a very young age. One year my older cousin got a VHS Camcorder and we spent hours creating videos, puppet shows, music videos with different set designs and crazy wardrobe. As I got older, my parents pushed me toward what they called a “real career,” so I decided to pursue my degree in Psychology. I was made to believe there was no real career in film and I had to make a living through a more responsible path. I followed that path for 27 years and had an amazing career working with people with disabilities. Toward the end of that career, I spent five years working with students with disabilities at Full Sail University. Being around such incredible creative energy and watching so many people work toward living their dream, I was inspired to do the same. Jumping back a bit, I was diagnosed with Celiac Disease in 2008.
Back then nobody had any clue what gluten was and there certainly were no options for gluten-free foods on the shelves at that time. I taught myself how to cook and bake gluten-free. It was a very challenging task. I wasted a lot of time and money trying to develop these delicious recipes. Naturally, I wanted to share these recipes to support those with issues with gluten and make it so they didn’t waste a lot of time and money trying to figure these things out. I created a baking show where I would host and I would invite a guest with a disability, so we could teach people how to bake delicious gluten-free recipes and we could simultaneously teach the public about different disabilities. The show was called “Bake with Me.” The guests would talk about their diagnosis, their challenges and their successes. I also hosted a local online talk show called “Chat with Me” highlighting guests from around our community who had an important story to share. We filmed both shows up until Covid hit and then had to shut down production. While we were all in quarantine, I couldn’t sit idle. I had helped a few friends on some short films they had made, so felt inspired to try writing a short film script. I loved how it turned out, so I reached out to a handful of people and we collectively decided to get together for a weekend and filmed a 20 minute comedic short.
After that, I was hooked! Once I allowed myself to release that creativity, I couldn’t stop it from flowing. Once things started opening back up again, I got on to any set I could and helped in any capacity. I started changing garbage, making coffee, whatever they would let me do. I volunteered countless hours and learned everything I could about filmmaking. I have since written, directed and produced 5 of my own short films and have produced, directed and/or assisted directed in about 20 other films. I recently had the opportunity to be the Production Coordinator on a SAG feature film and was just hired as Production Coordinator on a Lifetime movie. My journey has been amazing and I cannot wait to see where it takes me…as long as I still have the opportunity to create and help make films.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Honestly, my entire life, I have felt like I have struggled and have had to fight for everything. Since I ended my 27 years career and decided to pursue film, I feel like everything has fallen into place. It is absolutely where I am meant to be.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am very fortunate to have had the experiences I have had working with people in the field of Psychology for so many years. I believe that experience has made me a better filmmaker and have a better understanding how to communicate with people on set. I am now a full-time writer, producer and director. People always ask me which job I like the best. It is impossible for me to choose. I have always been a writer. I have three published children’s books (books I wrote for my kids when they were little), I’ve written a novel and countless other things over the years. I love the process of writing scripts. You create entire new worlds, new people, new families and sometimes it even surprises me where these characters go. They wake me up in the middle of the night demanding to be written and I even get mad at them sometimes for the way they behave.
However, being a producer allows me the opportunity to work with other people and support them in making their projects a reality. I always joke that I’ve never met a spreadsheet I didn’t like, so I get to use my organizational skills when I produce. If I had to pick a favorite (don’t tell the others) I might just pick directing. Directing is the most fascinating and incredible job I have ever done. You get to use your knowledge, your creativity, your communication skills to reach other people and bring out their absolute best on set. It’s an incredible process. The most amazing thing about filmmaking is having an idea in your head, writing it on paper, having a team of people believe in the story and then all of a sudden, you are watching the thoughts in your head on a screen. There is nothing like it!
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
Don’t be afraid to do menial tasks. If you can prove that you are willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done, you will gain respect and people will trust you to take on bigger jobs. Get on as many sets as possible! Meet as many filmmakers as you can, introduce yourself, show your enthusiasm so the next project they are on if they need someone, they will remember your energy and want you on the team.
Contact Info:
- Email: hoffysheart@gmail.com
- Website: HoffysHeartProductions.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hoffysheart/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HoffysHeartProductions
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzAbO0fNu0cm356NxJcNqHg
Image Credits:
Jorge Barba Paige Zauner
