Kelly Donnellan

Did anyone ever oppose your career plans when you were young or push you in a direction you did not want to go?

Yes. Absolutely. When I was younger, I wanted to study photography and film. I was drawn to creative work very early on. But I received an academic scholarship and ended up majoring in Physical Therapy instead. It was practical. It was stable. It made sense on paper. There was encouragement for my creativity, as long as it stayed a hobby. As long as it was safe. But when I seriously considered changing paths and pursuing film professionally, there was resistance. Concerns about money. Concerns about stability. Concerns about whether it was “realistic.” At the time, that opposition felt heavy. It made me question myself. But here’s what I’ve learned looking back: Sometimes people push you toward security because they love you. Sometimes they can only imagine the world through their own fears. Becoming a Physical Therapist wasn’t a mistake, it actually gave me the financial stability to eventually pay my way through film school. And going to film school changed my life. It was one of the best decisions I ever made. So yes, there was opposition. There was pressure to choose the “safer” path. But the dream never left. And when I finally honored it, everything aligned. The lesson for me wasn’t rebellion. It was patience, strategy, and courage. I learned that you can take a practical path for a season, and still find your way back to what lights you up. And I’m so grateful I did.

How did you pick your career? Did you know all along?

I did not know all along. For most of my childhood, I was the athlete and the honor student in my family, not the artist. I genuinely didn’t think I had a creative bone in my body. Everything shifted my senior year of high school when I discovered photography. Photography showed me that creativity wasn’t just drawing or playing music. It was seeing. Framing. Noticing light. Telling stories with images. I had always loved film. Always. But it wasn’t until much later that I finally made it to film school. With my background in photography, I was convinced I was going to become a cinematographer. It made perfect sense on paper. And then I got on set. And I couldn’t see the light. I remember thinking, “Oh no. I might be in trouble.” I also realized I didn’t love being on set. It was loud. Fast. A lot of people. As an introvert, it drained me. So I pivoted toward editing, and at first, I found it incredibly frustrating. But I kept an open mind. And then I absolutely fell in love with it. Fast forward 20+ years, not only am I an editor, I teach editing. I didn’t pick my career in one clear, confident moment. I found it by exploring, being honest about what felt right (and what didn’t), and staying open when my original plan didn’t fit. Sometimes your career isn’t something you “know.” Sometimes it’s something you discover, piece by piece. For me, it started with photography. It evolved through uncertainty. And it became editing. Keeping an open mind changed everything.