Soleil Denault is a director based in Montreal who grew up on the South Shore. She has an unquenchable thirst for discovery: she loves to try new techniques and to dive into new projects, but once she feels she’s got a handle on things, she finds herself craving a new challenge. Her professional journey is therefore not a linear one, but if time has taught me anything, it’s that unexpected pivots can lead to the most fulfilling developments. I wanted to sit with her not only because I find her story inspiring, but also because she handles herself with such grace in the workplace, and is a true example of how feminism can be a driving force to creativity, understanding and success.
Together, we explored the great adventure of a lifetime: finding and developing our creative voices.
Soleil’s journey begins with a love of fine arts and a special interest in drawing, which became an important outlet for her in high school. She found tedious creative tasks helped her escape the constraints of an institution that can be so anxiety-inducing. But despite her talent and creative abilities, she was no closer to answering the age old question: what would you like to be when you grow up? This question can be hard to answer in a world where children are encouraged to develop their artistic talents, but aren’t so often encouraged to pursue them as a career; we live in a capitalist society, after all, and artistic professions are highly competitive, yet not often very lucrative. Luckily, she chose to follow her big brother’s advice and explore graphic design: because having a passion is great, but everyone’s got bills to pay.
When she arrived in the city to study graphic design, she soon learned that big cities come with large pools of talented people, and discovered the pressure that comes from comparison to others.
After she graduated, she began designing CD covers for local artists. Then, with her infinite curiosity to find out how the story of visual arts could be translated on film, she found herself working on sets. Music videos, short films… She did a little bit of everything in a job where she bore many responsibilities, from art director on set to assistant, to stylist… She learned a plethora of things that would soon come in handy.
After a few years, Soleil took on an Art Director position in an ad agency where she further developed her design skills, but also ended up assigned to many production projects. However, working as a creative in an agency comes with its own challenges, like the fact that it usually means creating for others and their agendas, which can be constraining to artists. Luckily, Soleil kept on designing CD covers in her free time, and even landed her very first co-director gig for a Milk & Bone music video. She happily flew out to Los Angeles, where she got to live the daydream with little to no budget, zero glam, but with a creative vision that is perfectly aligned within the team and the singers.
After five years and with a renewed thirst for adventure, Soleil felt her journey in the world of advertising agencies had come to an end, and once again heard the call of film sets. She took the leap and landed her first job as a Director at L’Éloi, where the founder, Éloi, truly believed in her and in her vision. She is now represented by Telescope Films in Montréal, Someplace Nice in Toronto, and Stept Studios in the US.
Soleil continues to develop her inclusive, human, and colourful work ethic. As a woman on set, she always makes sure to stand her ground as even today, women in leadership positions are not always easily accepted. This means she’s had to learn to be firm but respectful, to refuse the Nos, and to always push harder. As she says it so well: as women, we must make our own place, because no one will hand it to us. It is not owed to us either. With that in mind, she makes sure to create space for women both in front and behind the camera, and to keep an eye on what goes on beyond her inner circle in order to navigate her blindspots gracefully.
Listen to the Dauntless Daughters episode with Soleil* to hear our full conversations on creative development in youth, the challenges met when trying to find your place in an industry bursting with talented people, on how she continues to observe the work of others in search for inspiration and on learning the immense value of everyone’s individual journeys. At times intimidating, it has taught her to find the courage to look beyond her own limits to find her voice. We also talk of how difficult it can be to find this voice when, as women, we are often taught to be first and foremost accommodating. It is far from easy to give ourselves free reign to explore when taking up space often rhymes with being called “difficult”. How does one find their own unique voice in a world where we are taught to value the opinions and approval of others?
Soleil is now seeking projects that will touch her humanity and where she has the room to bring her personal touch and even give herself a chance to step outside the lines and innovate.
Her advice: keep exploring topics that make you curious. But, most importantly: breathe. Live your life, try new things even with there are no guarantees, and don’t be too precious with your projects or your career.
*Please note that this episode was recorded in French.
Discover and follow Soleil’s work at soleildenault.com and on Instagram.
Resources shared in the episode:
Allia: Helping women in creative industries.
Réalisatrices Équitables: helping promote and maintain equity in the film industry in Canada and internationally.
Julia Lemyre-Cossette 