Meet Kathryn Majic of Blnk Films in Lakewood

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kathryn Majic.

Kathryn, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
It’s funny because as a child, I never dreamt of becoming a filmmaker. As I reflect on how I got here, it feels like every little move served its purpose to get me to a place now where I proudly say, “This is exactly what I’m meant to be doing.”

For 13 years, I was a competitive gymnast with a dream of competing in the 2012 Olympics. What started as a little girl doing gymnastics to get out some extra energy, quickly turned into my family packing up our life to move 75 miles for a better training facility. I went to school part-time to be in the gym 30+ hours a week. Day in and day out, my existence revolved around being the best athlete I could be. I can still close my eyes and put myself back in that place in my life — callused chalky hands, two-a-days, sore muscles, conditioning, skill after skill, routine after routine. I didn’t know anything else, other than identifying as an elite athlete. I never thought about life beyond that, what life would be like if I ever lost this sport. I suffered from multiple injuries throughout my career but typically, after a few weeks in a cast, I would quickly bounce back. It was always temporary, and I would always come back. My next injury would be a different story. When I was 12, I fractured my spine, not from an accident or fall, but it was an overuse injury. I spent a few months of 7th grade in a back brace, essentially a cast from my knees to my ribs. Although a bit tougher to heal from, I knew I would be back to training. And I was, but it took a toll on my career. I had lost quite a bit of my skills during my time away, and I was no longer able to keep up with the elite training I had been doing before. After some time of reflection, my coaches and I decided it was best to go back and compete at a lower level. So I did. That season of competition was one of my best yet, but the back pain was still there, still prominent. I thought nothing more of it than just part of the healing process. A few months of this pain raised some concerns, so I went back to the doctor only to find out either a.) my spinal fracture never fully healed or b.) it did heal and I fractured it again. To this day I don’t know which was the case, but either way, it was the injury that ended my career. I’ll never forget that conversation in the doctor’s office, going over the risks I would face if I were to go back. That was the day everything I had ever known, changed. I had to walk away from a sport, and quite frankly, a life, that I so dearly loved.

After retiring, it’s no surprise that I suffered from a major identity crisis. I was broken. I didn’t know who I was since I was no longer a gymnast. I played new sports throughout high school and developed friendships that I cherish deeply to this day. I met my high school sweetheart, my first love and now husband. Those high school years were great, the start of a new chapter of learning and discovery, but this passion in my life that I desired was nowhere to be found.

I went on to college fully intending on being a trauma nurse. That was my next dream. I knew I wanted to do something important, that had a direct impact on people’s lives, helping them in the times they need it most. I loved the idea of the intensity, the make or break moments that would fall directly in my hands. I volunteered in the emergency department at Denver Health, where I got to be a fly on the wall for every unfortunate accident that came through the hospital doors. I’m so thankful for that time, as I learned quickly that my idea of what a trauma nurse was and the reality of it were two different things. It takes a special person to do that, and I quickly learned I was not that person. The things I saw affected me deeply, putting me in a position where I had a tough time “shaking it off” or leaving work, at work. This time at school brought out a whole new side of me. I experienced a deep level of loneliness and depression that I had never entered before. I was in dire need of friendship, of purpose again. Throughout this time of loneliness, I used art as an outlet. It was something that was always there, and a way to work through and find comfort through the darkness I was feeling. I never entertained the idea of pursuing art until I realized that my future as a trauma nurse was no longer something I wanted to work towards.

I remember the phone conversation I had with my Dad where he expressed his fears regarding the idea of me pursuing a creative career. Nursing was a safe, high-demand career with a bright future. I insisted that moving on to explore my creativity was something I needed to do. I didn’t know where it would take me, but my gut was telling me yes. My mom was thrilled. She was a painter during my childhood, and I always felt inspired by the way she used art as an outlet. I transitioned from drawing to photography to diving into pursuing a major in Graphic Design. I felt alive again — feeling everything I learned in my first two chapters of life blooming. It felt like a new beginning, igniting that passion I had been longing for.

I began documenting moments of my life in small videos, be it hikes, adventures, travels. I loved the feelings that watching a film made me feel. Reliving the sights, the sounds, the laughs — having the chance to relive significant moments of my own life, vividly, fully. Fast forward to my final year in college, insistent that I didn’t fit the “mold” for the corporate world. It was clear to me that in order for me to be happy, truly happy, I needed to create my job. For my senior thesis, I built Blnk Films — the brand, the business plan, the portfolio. I knew nothing about how to start a business, but I did it. I graduated college, became my own boss, and went out into the world with a passion to share stories. Here we are two years later, and I’ve never looked back.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
When I reflect on my story as a filmmaker and what led me here, it only made sense to share it from the beginning. I feel like there was no distinct moment that was like “Yep, I want to be a wedding filmmaker.” My life and passions led me here, and it’s because of each chapter that I was able to make it to the next. It’s important for me to credit those times.

Gymnastics was the first chapter of my story. It instilled passion, focus, drive, and commitment. It built me, the root of my character.

My high school and early college years were the second chapter of my story. These years inspired self-discovery, finding the light beyond the darkness, the innate desire for a greater purpose, and the beauty of solitude and reflection.

My later college years were my third chapter, and one of the most powerful chapters in my life thus far. I fell in love with this feeling — this feeling of creating and sharing my passion, my discovered purpose.

And here we are, the fourth chapter. The now. I’m so proud of my story, each chapter so intimately bound to the next. That need for a greater purpose, the desire I had to do something important, I found that in wedding filmmaking. I never dreamt of being a filmmaker, but my story took me here.

My passion for filmmaking has taught me to embrace and dive deeper into is people’s stories. I can’t encourage the importance of it enough. Everyone has these significant, life-changing moments, each uniquely written. It’s nobody’s place to say “My life is harder than yours”, or “What you deem to be hard isn’t valid.” Your story is valid, my story is valid, and so is the next. But you have to use your story for good — let it craft you into something greater and never use your hardships as an excuse. Reflecting on my story, and crediting each chapter has made me so incredibly thankful for the challenges I’ve faced. In no way has it been an easy path to get here, but I wouldn’t want it to be.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Blnk Films – what should we know?
Blnk Films is a passionate Wedding and Elopement Filmmaking business crafting raw, genuine, and emotional films for couples across Colorado and beyond. I am so proud of my ability to capture couples for exactly who they are, diving deep into their story to bring to light what makes their love special and unique to them. My emotional approach to storytelling sets my films apart. I want my work to feel like art, capturing all of the raw human emotions that enhance our experiences and inspire meaningful connection.

Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Empathy.

I heard such an inspiring speech from another local creative where he challenged us to dive in, focus on our strengths, forget about bettering our weaknesses and find a deeper meaning in our work. Throughout much of my life, I’ve been told I feel things too deeply, or that I care too much. I always took that as criticism. It wasn’t until recently that I embraced my level of empathy and emotional expression as my biggest strength. I learned that my natural ability to understand myself, others, and the world through emotion is actually really cool. Once I stopped masking this part of myself and embraced this uniqueness, Blnk Films was made. My level of empathy and the ability to dive deep into the power of emotional connection has transformed my work. This very thing that I was once afraid of, is now the foundation of my passion and the backbone of my business.

Pricing:

• Elopement Films start at $3,250
• Wedding Films start at $3,900

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.blnkfilms.com/
• Email: kathryn@blnkfilms.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blnkfilms/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blnkfilms
• Other: https://vimeo.com/blnkfilms

Image Credit:
Levi Tijerina, Kathryn Majic

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