Jane Larkin: 5 Things I Wish Someone Told Me When I First Became A Filmmaker

Authority Magazine Editorial Staff

It’s a marathon, not a sprint — and that’s okay.

I used to think that once pre-production started, the release wouldn’t be far behind. We began work on The Edge in 2021, and I truly believed we’d have the finished product out by 2023, or maybe 2024. In reality, we didn’t release the film until mid-2025. That timeline taught me patience. Good work takes time, especially when you’re striving for authenticity and quality. If I could go back, I’d tell myself to be patient and trust the process — it’s supposed to take a while.

Asa part of our series called “5 Things I Wish Someone Told Me When I First Became A Filmmaker”, I had the distinct pleasure of interviewing Jane Larkin.

Jane Larkin is an Australian actress, director, writer, and producer. Her notable works include a speaking role in MGM’s “Thirteen Lives,” directed by Ron Howard; the role of Penny in the Australian Netflix series “Boy Swallows Universe” [2024], based on Trent Dalton’s award-winning novel of the same name; and a role in the Australian mini-series “Darby and Joan” (as Young Denise), starring Bryan Brown and Greta Scacchi. Jane cites working with Ron Howard as a career highlight.

In 2022, Jane appeared in a number of productions, with highlights such as Netflix’s “Spiderhead” and Season 2 of NBC’s “Young Rock.” Jane showran an independent feature film titled “The Edge” [to be released in 2024], where she wrote, starred, directed, and produced the feature about elite female athletes.

Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Our readers would love to get to know you a bit better. Can you tell us a bit of the ‘backstory’ of how you grew up?

Ihad a really idyllic childhood as the oldest of three girls. My mum, who is my hero, was a stay-at-home mum and always encouraged us to try a bit of everything — and we did! From an early age, I excelled at sport and was lucky to have a wonderful support system around me. I’ve always been passionate about exploring different sides of myself. So often we’re told to fit into one neat box, but I think we’re all multifaceted beings. I started athletics training when I was 11 and that same year qualified for my first Australian National Titles in the pentathlon. I’m such an Aussie at hear though, and love the beach, going for hikes, and spending time at the cinema. I just love storytelling in all its forms.

Can you share a story with us about what brought you to this specific career path?

When I was 15, I went to a junior development camp at the Australian Institute of Sport. I absolutely loved being amongst Australia’s top athletes as well as training hard alongside other disciplined teens who were chasing big goals like me. During a seminar, a senior athlete shared his story. He wasn’t a gold medallist or a household name. His journey was full of setbacks. At the end, someone asked the question we were all thinking: “Was it worth it?” He paused, then raised his hand above his head: “The highs are so high.” He dropped it below his waist: “The lows are so low.” Then he held it at his torso and said, “But who wants to live here?” And in that moment, I understood him, and the sport, and the journey of anyone who aims high. I knew I didn’t want to live in the middle.

Can you share the funniest or most interesting story that occurred to you in the course of your filmmaking career?

There are so many funny and fascinating moments from making The Edge that I’ve genuinely thought about turning the whole experience into its own film or TV series! But one story that always makes me laugh happened was during my time on Ron Howard’s Thirteen Lives. It was such a great group of people and we still keep in touch to this day. I was lucky enough to bring two of my co-stars from that film, Artin John (who was the 1st AD in second unit) and Sen Shao (who played our Tutor), onto The Edge as well, which made it even more special.

As for The Edge, probably the funniest moment was during what was meant to be a romantic, intimate scene, and, of course, that’s the day the air-conditioning completely blew out in our studio… in the middle of summer. To make matters worse, our only working toilet clogged up. So here we were, trying to shoot a soft, emotional, and sexy moment, while everyone was dripping in sweat and there was a very unromantic smell lingering in the air.

If that’s not a metaphor for independent filmmaking, I don’t know what is! But thanks to a little movie magic, we still absolutely loved the final result.

Who are some of the most interesting people you have interacted with? What was that like? Do you have any stories?

Actors are some of the most fascinating people I’ve ever met. Many are deeply genuine creatives — passionate about storytelling, performance, and exploring human emotion. Others are natural entertainers, the class clowns, or people who just thrive in the spotlight.

What I’ve learned is that every actor is different, and you need to meet them where they are. In my opinion, all creatives are a little mad (in the best and worst way).

As a storyteller, I’m just curious about how people behave, express, and connect. Watching actors work — and figuring out how to bring the best out of them — is one of my favourite parts of the process. You can’t tell authentic stories without understanding people, and actors are often the most revealing mirror we have.

None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?

The two people I’m most grateful to are my mum and my longtime coach, Denise Boyd. I’ve known both of them for most of my life. My mum is the most supportive person anyone could ask for. Whether it was driving me to training, listening to my crazy new ideas, putting up with my drama, consoling me through losses, celebrating wins, or — more recently — changing nappies for my daughter, I feel incredibly lucky to have her. My coach, Denise, is one of the most remarkable sprint athletes this country has ever seen (though she’d never say that herself as she’s incredibly modest). She’s been part of my journey since I was a child, and is one of the most generous, hardworking, and inspiring people I’ve ever met.While they’re quite different in some ways, they share something powerful in common as they’re both fierce, strong women who inspire me every day.

Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?

One of my all-time favourite quotes is: “Life is on the wire. The rest is just waiting.” It’s attributed to Karl Wallenda, the founder of the “Flying Wallendas” — a family of acrobats who performed dangerous stunts far above the ground, often without a safety net. That quote has stayed with me because I’ve often found myself in moments — on the starting line, before a film scene, or right before doing something truly meaningful — where I’m completely terrified. And in those moments, I always ask myself: Why am I doing this? The answer, I think, is because that’s where you discover who you are. The things I’m most proud of in life are the ones that felt impossible — the moments that pushed me to the edge (pun not originally intended). And I’m proud of the person I’ve come to know on the wire.

What are some of the most interesting or exciting projects you are working on now?

My two favourite genres to write are drama and comedy. I’m not entirely sure why, but I tend to write protagonists who are either deeply tragic or completely ridiculous — maybe because those two extremes feel like two sides of the same coin. I have a couple of completed scripts that really resonate with me, though we’re not in full-scale production on either just yet. Right now, I’m enjoying taking a breath, celebrating the success of The Edge, and embracing motherhood before diving into the next chapter.

Which aspect of your work makes you most proud? Can you explain or give a story?

I’m incredibly proud of The Edge because it tells my story — but more importantly, it gives voice to the stories of so many others, especially those from minority backgrounds. What makes me most proud is that the film doesn’t shy away from the hard stuff. There were moments early on where I hesitated, and, in the first drafts, I actually left out some of the more difficult scenes. One of my producers encouraged me to be brave and lean into those moments, not away from them. That decision was worth it. Recently, someone reached out and said, “We know what female athletes — and women in general — go through, but we try to ignore it. This film doesn’t let us.” That meant everything to me. That’s why I made The Edge.

What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why.

1. It’s a marathon, not a sprint — and that’s okay.I used to think that once pre-production started, the release wouldn’t be far behind. We began work on The Edge in 2021, and I truly believed we’d have the finished product out by 2023, or maybe 2024. In reality, we didn’t release the film until mid-2025. That timeline taught me patience. Good work takes time, especially when you’re striving for authenticity and quality. If I could go back, I’d tell myself to be patient and trust the process — it’s supposed to take a while.

2. Some people will let you down and it’s not personal.In any long project, people will drop off. It doesn’t always mean they didn’t care — just that they didn’t want it as much, or life took them in another direction. What matters is learning to spot who’s in it for the long haul. The people who stayed? They’re the ones who matter. Let go of the rest without bitterness.

3. Funding is everything — and the system won’t always back you.I wish someone had told me early on: don’t wait around for Screen Queensland or Screen Australia. Some people are fortunate enough to get support from funding bodies, but many of us aren’t — and it’s not a reflection of the project’s worth. I had to find alternative routes, private investment, and my own production company to get The Edge made. It was harder, but I am so proud of what I have achieved.

4. For many, this is just a job — and that’s okay too.To you, your film might be your life’s story and something deeply personal — but to others, it’s just another gig. I learned to stop expecting everyone to have the same passion or emotional investment. Instead, I learned to lead with clarity, respect, and professionalism. When you do find people who care deeply? That’s the bonus — not the baseline.

5. A good producer is worth their weight in gold.Finding a truly great producer is one of the hardest parts of independent filmmaking. It’s not just about logistics — it’s about trust, alignment, and someone who can steer the ship with you when waters get rough. I’ve come to deeply appreciate the producers who believed in the story and showed up every day to make it happen. Without them, a film like The Edge simply wouldn’t exist.

You are a person of great influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. :-)

Thank you — I think this is a beautiful question.

If I could start a movement, it would be rooted in deliberate kindness. I absolutely love the quote, “In a world where you can be anything, be kind,” because I truly believe kindness isn’t just a reaction — it’s a conscious choice. Imagine if every person woke up each day with the intention to be kind, no matter their circumstances. I think the ripple effect would be enormous.

Kindness doesn’t have to be grand to be powerful. It’s in how we speak to others, how we listen, how we lead, and how we show up for the people around us. My favourite people are kind people, and I hope to become a kinder version of myself every day.

A world led by kindness would be a world worth waking up to.

We are very blessed that some of the biggest names in Business, VC funding, Sports, and Entertainment read this column. Is there a person in the world, or in the US whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might see this. :-)

I’ve said in many interviews that I’ve always looked up to Arnold Schwarzenegger and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. Both of them made the leap from elite sport into the world of film and television, and what inspires me most is their drive. They’re not just talented — they’re relentlessly disciplined, deeply strategic, and never stop evolving.

I read every interview I can find with them, watch everything they’re in, and genuinely admire how they’ve built multi-dimensional careers while staying connected to their roots. I’d absolutely love the chance to have breakfast or lunch with either of them — not just to learn from their journey, but to thank them for proving that it’s possible to keep reinventing yourself.

I hope to follow a similar path — from athlete, to actor, to filmmaker — and one day, maybe even mentor someone else the way they’ve unknowingly mentored me.

How can our readers further follow you online?

Yes, I am on instagram — personally @janeylarks and The Edge is @theedgefilm

This was very meaningful, thank you so much! We wish you continued success!