It is not often that we get to return to our first passion, and have it become our livelihood as well our love. But, Victoria Hogg has found the confidence and determination to do exactly that with her seven-part documentary series kicking off with inspirational women of Kuwait, Grit.
The inspiration for the series partly came from an amazing TED Talk by Angela Lee Duckworth PhD, on the concept borne in the classroom that the students who were the best weren’t necessarily the most talented, but were the ones that had the determination to succeed. For example, whether or not you’re innately born with the talent to play the grand piano is not as important as your desire to put in the hours to become a great pianist. Duckworth defines ‘grit’ as, “the passion and perseverance for long term meaningful goals.”
Victoria was recruited as the Managing Director of a marketing firm during an operationally tumultuous time, and came from the corporate world of two power house businesses, one in retail and the other in banking. Having been told that “women have emotional problems,” it was a struggle to be honest with herself and her colleagues when her father was admitted to hospital on her first day at the job and subsequently diagnosed with cancer. At the same time, she determined to make the firm into the most professionally and financially successful it had ever been, but circumstances conspired against these goals. “I don’t like failing. It’s a very hard concept for me to get to grips with,” states Victoria, explaining that so many people had negatively criticized her choice to leave a somewhat stable job with incredible perks for this new challenge, only to feel ashamed to have the experience collapse around her. “I took it personally, but looking at it intellectually, I did make a positive difference to the numbers and the working environment.”
This whole time was a lonely experience, and Victoria found it tough to find other women or friends to talk to who had similar areas of responsibility, or who directly correlated with her situation. “It’s painful being responsible for people and their families and not knowing if you’ll secure enough work to pay the bills. That will keep you up at night” and this started the grain of the idea that led up to Grit. The first iteration was a podcast, Victoria wanted to speak to influential or successful women in business and have them talk about their experiences, and get some insight for other women who were on the business path. This way, if women did have any business-related issues they would at least have a frame of reference from other women to take comfort in. “I wanted to dive deep; speak to women in different industries who had been through some hardship to understand what that felt like, and get reflective on that.”
It was never Victoria’s intention to get behind the camera, but she simply had to, having won a campaign pitch for a London-based charity when company times were good, but being left with no production team when it came to executing the campaign deliverables, when the company’s situation was bad. Others would have given up, but for Victoria this simply meant that she would have to produce, direct, outsource talent to get the job done, and handle the camera herself for the first time. Faced with this opportunity, wanted or not, Victoria found she loved this side of the moving lens, and felt differently about telling stories this way than anything she had ever tried before. At this point the idea for the podcast changed and, inspired by the TED Talk on ‘Grit’, Victoria decided to embark on creating the documentary series focusing on inspirational Kuwaiti women. There is no doubt that having a background in Cultural and Comminications Critique helps her to find exactly the most impactful points in an interviewee’s story. Being able to bring those out and expand their narrative through acute questioning and flowing conversation while keeping the final video edit succinct and engaging is superbly skillful. Plus, the viewer only has to watch videos under twenty minutes in length, and that is insightfully clever marketing on Victoria’s part as little viewing- time investment increases each Grit episode’s potential audience.
Listening to Victoria’s story, it is one of a series of successes. Or one of a series of set-backs. But that is exactly the point, isn’t it? Her sheer tenacity and resilience prove Angela Lee Duckworth’s statement in that TED Talk. Victoria has succeeded not only where forging the path was difficult in itself, but also where she has faced naysayers, detractors and betrayal. There surely can’t be a better example of perseverance, or true grit, than that.
UP CLOSE & PERSONAL QUESTIONNAIRE
What do you most value about your friends? Authenticity. I’m lucky to be surrounded by people who are really true to themselves. It takes guts, and heart. I try to reflect that in me too. It’s a work in progress.
Which living person do you most admire? One of my closest friends, she’s an artist. Everything she does amazes me. Everything she does makes me so proud. Celebrity-wise I feel like Amanda Palmer…she’s her true self, even when a lot of people don’t get it or think she colors too far outside the lines. She’s also married to one of my favorite writers, Neil Gaiman, and I really love that.
What is your idea of perfect happiness? I don’t know? It changes. I think components would include a house somewhere in mountains near to the sea, with my husband and a few cats and a dog. With good internet connection and enough rooms that my friends could come crash whenever!
What is your greatest extravagance? I don’t really buy that much for myself. Probably travel. When I get a chance I eat in a Michelin-starred restaurant in major cities I visit; I like splurging on experiences.
What is your most treasured possession?Right now? My iMac and MacBook. They have all of my work, both machines are kind of running non-stop to power my projects, I’m eternally grateful for them.
What is your greatest fear? Not having achieved anything memorable or important before I die.
What is your most marked characteristic? Probably my sense of humor. I make a lot of jokes. Even at moments that they’re not really appropriate, but I’m working on that.
Which talent would you most like to have?I’d like to be an artist of some kind, I’d like to be able to create visual art…I’ve never had the patience or the ability
What is one trait you have that you are most grateful for?Resilience. It takes a lot to make me stop.
What is the human trait you most dislike about others? Narcissism. Maybe a lack of empathy.
What is it that you most dislike? In me? Selfishness. In the world? Short-Sightedness.
Which words or phrases do you most overuse? Totes. Like. Obvs.
What are your favorite words to live by? “It’s a game of two halves”. It’s an inside joke with my dad, from football commentating. It’s meant to mean that circumstances can change suddenly. I use it to remind myself that no matter where you are now (normally when everything is going wrong), things can change at any instant.
Where would you most like to live? Washington State, near the sea.
If you could have any job, what would it be? I’m still working that out!
What would you consider your greatest achievement? Completing my Bachelors and Masters degrees. My sister had a heart-attack when I was in my last term at university for my BA, and that was incredibly hard to deal with. It was an event that shook the whole family. I spent weekends in London and weekdays in Falmouth (six hours away by train on a good day), to graduate with a First Class with Honors. Then I went straight into business school and got a Distinction. It took a lot of work, it was exhausting, but I’m proud of myself for doing it.
What do you hope for the future? I hope to make a difference, and to help those around me; both my real-life connections (friends and family), and, hopefully with the work that I’m doing, a more extended network.
For more on Grit follow the Instagram account @watchgrit or go to find the full episodes on Vimeo.
Victoria Hogg is a panelist at the Dream, Girl event, Tuesday 12 March, 7.30pm, Soapbox, M1, The Promenade.
Photography Salma Alessa. For bookings and inquiries go to www.salmaalessa.com.
