“I was just like you guys sitting here not that long ago,” said Hemmes, a 2017 TKHS graduate. “I’m telling you, it’s 110 percent possible to do what you love.”
Since completing her fine arts degree from Compass College of Cinematic Art, she’s successfully worked on production of a television pilot series, a low-budget feature film and most recently a $6 million budget film set to release in June.
Hoisting an overstuffed three-ring production binder, Hemmes explained the details and demands of her job on the set as the production coordinator for the 90-minute feature film called “Block Party.” It stars some well-known actors including John Amos, Margaret Avery, Antoinette Robertson, Bill Cobbs and Brad William Henke, along with producer Marvin Towns Jr.
“Everything that went on in this department went through me first, “ said Hemmes as she held up the 3-ring binder more than 6 inches thick with schedules, details and orders. The film is tentatively scheduled for release this summer.
She worked with a 125-member crew and 40 actors for 10 weeks on the project. Sometimes, she admits, it was very long days starting well before anyone else showed up on set. “You have to be willing to work, put in the hours and do a good job,” she said. “You do a good job on one set and you’ll start getting recommendations for other jobs. In this industry it really is who you know.”
After high school, Hemmes decided to follow her dream of being a film producer. “It was scary. My mom wanted me to go to Michigan State and become a doctor or something that would have offered a lot more security. And I could have done it, but it wasn’t what I wanted to do. I decided at a young age I would follow my passion and that’s what I’m doing now,” she said.
Hemmes said her love of making videos started when she was just 5 years old. That passion continued through to middle school where she got her first camcorder to make her own videos. “I just started shooting videos and stories and I love it,” she said.
Hemmes was line producer and craft services for an eight-episode television pilot called “The Watchers.” She also worked as a line producer on a short feature film with a $15,000 budget. The film, “Carrie and Jess Save the Universe,” was shot entirely in Grand Rapids. It gave her the chance to work with well-known actor Richard Karn, better known as Al Borland who was Tim Allen’s sidekick on the comedy series “Home Improvement.”
“It was so much fun, but it was also a lot of work,” said Hemmes. “I ran lines with Richard Karn. He was so nice and so encouraging.”
She said making good connections with actors and producers and having a good work reputation is key to continuing success in the industry. “If you do a good job on one project, your name will get around for more work and you’ll get it,” she said.
She admits one of the downsides of the industry is the inconsistency of work, especially when new in the business. “You will always be a freelancer and you might now know for sure when your next job is coming. You’ll never have a certain, five-day a week job. It will never be regular hours.”
Hemmes said she supplements her production earnings by doing other film-related jobs. She’s produced commercials, public relations videos for companies, photography assignments, and even made some real estate videos.
Hemmes gives credit to the film classes she took in high school. “I got my baseline of skills from these classes,” she told the TK students. “And what I learned in these classes gave me diversity so I could do more than just one thing.”
Hemmes said her goal is to become a producer in the film industry and help make great movies.
Glancing over at her former teacher, Hemmes gave her final words of advice. “Someone told me once, ‘If you do what you love, you’ll never work a day in your life.’ I chose to have a career I love and I’m living proof that it’s entirely possible.”