Jojo Bossman
Camera trainee, AC.
Miles:
Hey Jojo, who are ya’ and what do you do?
Jojo:
I’m Jojo, they/them, and I’m a camera trainee; sometimes 2nd AC; writer and director of my own little shorts too.
Miles:
What do you want people to take away from your interview? This can be a rhetorical question.
Jojo:
I think - things about the industry works maybe. It’s great but how it could be a little better maybe, a little different from how it is now.
Miles:
Where and when did you start in the industry?
Jojo:
I started when I was in Portsmouth, that's where I went to uni. Most of what I was doing was in and surrounding London.
I moved to Bristol but work was still mostly in London for a bit.
I think I've managed to sort of transition over to being more in the ‘West’ now. It’s just nice!
Miles:
How do you find the vibe here in comparison to London?
Jojo:
London can be a bit intense sometimes. I’m definitely finding it a lot more chill here. I’m really settling into the community and making it home.
Miles:
I remember a while back - Bristol was named ‘Britain’s smiliest city’. Not sure how this was tested exactly but do you reckon that still checks out?
Jojo:
I would say probably it's really smiley here. Everyone's really lovely. Like, I'll cross the road and I'll give people a little hand sign to say thanks for stopping, and they'll give it back.
I'd say yeah…
Miles:
What have been your thoughts on entering the industry, work/life balance and more?
Jojo:
I think there are layers to that question and it’s different for different people, so I'm going to try and speak from my own experience.
I’m finding the balance skews a lot more towards work, especially being so new to it all.
When you’re working longer jobs, work basically takes over, especially on splits. The industry is also just not a very accessible one. Not right now anyway.
Things like job sharing, less gatekeeping of knowledge and resources, more willingness to hire more green trainees are all things that would be steps in the right direction.
I think, being black and queer as well - sometimes I'm nervous about not being good enough. Being treated like I shouldn’t be here.
When you look around and nobody else looks like you as well, it can be really demoralising.
Miles:
Sad to hear this.
It's up to you whether or not you want to answer the question, or if it makes the cut but have you personally experienced prejudice do you think?
Jojo:
Yeah, I think there have been a few things. And a lot of things that aren't said outright in the industry. Like - a lot of the time, I have my pronouns on a badge and a lot of the time - people will read it and they'll ignore it, or they'll give me a look.
But you just have to sort of power through and, you know, remind yourself that if you manage to get to somewhere, if you manage to be on set - then you deserve to be on set.
That means people who also feel they can’t make it, have more of a chance to do it too.
Sometimes I ask myself - “do I belong here?” but I do.
Everyone belongs in the industry…
Your race, your gender, your sexuality, having disabilities: I feel like those things shouldn't stop you from thriving.
This industry is for everyone.
Jojo (cont.):
I’ve found there's been a lot of support here though.
People have been really kind.
Lots of acceptance and openness even on the days I might be anxious and struggling to talk.
Miles:
I really appreciate all of the candour.
Miles (cont.):
While we’re on the honesty train and returning to your thoughts on a healthier industry - do you feel there’s a prevalence of mental health problems in film and TV? If so - where do you see some reprieve, or things getting better?
I was told recently The Film+TV Charity ‘Looking Glass’ survey found that a large proportion of people privately admit to suffering.
Jojo:
I think there is yeah.
I know, the Film+TV Charity have a whole mental health division and they're doing a lot of great work there. But it's a tough industry.
There's a lot of stress when you’re working and making sure that you're working. If you're not working, that's also stressful!
You're often doing long days, you're away from home.
I think people don't necessarily cope with that very well, and people will tend to get burnt out but they won't admit it.
That has wider effects and can lead to worsening attitudes on-set.
There's a lot of a mindset that ‘you just have to do it’, even if it's very physically or mentally taxing - which I don’t think is the way to go.
And I think being able to say: ‘I could use a little help’ or, ‘I need to be able to step back’ are things people should be able to say more.
People are often worried that others might want to work with them, or they might get kicked off a job. Or, worried too they're going to be seen as people who are unfit to work.
I think that's just a lot of, if you excuse my French - bullshit.
Miles:
What inspires you or like, what, how did you get to the point where you thought film?
Jojo:
Stories and storytelling inspires me… Yeah - being able to tell a story.
This love got me here. There are stories when I’m taking photos, in the music that I listen to. I love thinking about what a person's clothes tell, their hairstyle, the way that they speak, the food that they eat… there’s a story behind everything.
That’s what made me start and I was like “nothing is gonna stop me until I'm making the films I want to make and telling the stories I want to tell”.
Miles:
Any firm favourite films?
Jojo:
My favourite films are weirdly about teenage girls or middle aged white women.
I relate to those a lot. [both laugh]
Miles:
Coming of age films are often really funny and thoughtful. Some of my favs our in that category.
Jojo:
I love Lady Bird and Frances Ha for example .
Those are just some but I see a lot of myself in them.
Film has this ability to impact people in different ways. It can examine the relationships people have and the way that lives are affected by the people around them. Little slices of our reality but also fantasy.
Those make for great stories. Those are the stories I want to tell.
Miles:
What do you do outside of the industry? How do you like spending time?
Jojo:
Outside of the industry? Other than taking photos and watching films and TV? Lots of nerdy little things. Board game nights, mario party. Reading of all sorts, novels, graphic novels, manga, the back of a popcorn packet. I love a concert, nothing like getting sweaty and screaming your heart out. I like to bake when I can, and cook when I’m hungry which is always. I love basking in the sun and enjoying the fresh air. Sounds a little cheesy but I wear my heart on my sleeve because life is too short to care what people think of ya!
Miles:
Jojo, you’ve been very thoughtful and honest. I’m sure others will greatly appreciate it. Keep being yourself - you’re a star.
Links:
https://www.instagram.com/thejojoplace/
https://bristolcrew.co.uk/crew/departments/camera-department/camera-trainee/#crew
