Today we’d like to introduce you to Kiara Barnes.
Kiara, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
From an early age, I always knew that I wanted to work in entertainment. I was always creating my own plays, music videos, radio shows and oftentimes forced my family to watch my performances. Creating experiences is something I’ve always loved to do. When I went to college I decided to leave the arts behind and study sports management. After graduation, I moved back home to Atlanta and began a career in sports.
After a few months, I realized that working in sports was not my passion, I wasn’t fulfilled. Quickly, I realized I had two options – continue to move up the corporate ladder or go down the road less traveled and chase my dreams. I chose the latter.
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?
Yes, I faced many struggles. Not going to film school and unsure how to break into the film industry, I had to start from the bottom and figure everything out. Knowing I needed to establish connections and gain experience, I turned to social media and began to grind! I searched hashtags to find opportunities, attended hundreds of networking events, took classes, volunteered, snuck on sets (I no longer condone lol) I was hungry and wanted to work.
When I first started out, I thought I was at a major disadvantage because I did not go to film school. In hindsight, I am glad I started the independent film path I’m on now because it’s free education and it teaches you a form of resilience that cannot be taught in school.
We’d love to hear more about your work.
I am a Director and Script supervisor here in Atlanta. As a Director, I help bring the screenwriter’s vision to life – a visual artist if you will. As a Script Supervisor, I help Directors and Actors interpret the script as well as oversee the continuity of the motion picture.
I am extremely proud and happy to announce that I am Directing and Producing my first short film in a couple of days! This has been a long time coming and it feels amazing to see my childhood dream and long term goal become a reality.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
My favorite childhood memory is being on stage and performing. I use to be apart of the competition dance team with the Dance Factory based in Austell, Georgia. We were the team to beat and our instructors demanded excellence! We would practice until it hurt, but the moment we stepped onto that stage, the sky was the limit. The feeling and rush of adrenalin I felt once my feet hit the stage was indescribable.
The Dance Factory was my preparation for the entertainment industry and I learned the importance of practice and executing excellence.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.iamkiarab.com
- Instagram: iamkiarab
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