Today we’d like to introduce you to Isaiah Robinson.
Hi Isaiah, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I knew from a young age that I wanted to work in film. I grew up in a household that loved films, from the large blockbuster hits to the cult classics you only hear about through your friends. I began to create at a young age as well, making stop-motion animations on my computer or creating trailers from clips of my favorite movies and games. As a self-taught editor and photographer, I was always trying to add skills to my repertoire. But it wasn’t until college that I was able to hone in on my craft and really understand what I wanted to do in the industry. I found that I truly loved editing, piecing scenes together like an intricate puzzle, using the life and the emotions captured on camera, and building on it to create art that was once only a concept. It’s a challenging and sometimes frustrating art, but seeing the end result after overcoming those challenges makes it all worth it.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It was definitely not a smooth road and truthfully still isn’t. I struggled early to understand what part I wanted to play in the filmmaking process. To discover this, I took on jobs in other positions just to be on set, production assistant, gaffer, background actor, you name it. Through that, I realized that I didn’t like being on set as much as being involved in the pre-production and post-production of a project. And though these departments often overlap with the actual production, I found my niche in editing. Unfortunately, this journey was briefly halted when Covid-19 shut the world down. My university attempted to make do with the closure by altering the teaching style to be more remote, but this was a style that didn’t work for me and eventually I decided it was best I took time away from school to focus on the other aspects of my life that had now been changed by the virus. I took a year off, but I still wanted to work on building my skills so I joined local clubs and organizations around the city, like the Atlanta Photography Club and Atlanta-based non-profit organization Re:IMAGINE, both of which were a tremendous stepping stone for me. I would not be as passionate about the work I do if not for Re:IMAGINE and the mentors, peers, and friends I met there. What began as an obstacle ultimately became one of the biggest blessings.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a short filmmaker, editor, photographer, graphic designer, and musician. Most of the time, when people reach out to me, they’re looking for a photographer or graphic designer. Those roles would be what I’m most known for and what people can count on me to deliver. But I am most proud of the work I’ve done as a short filmmaker and an editor for the short films others create. What sets me apart from, say, my peers in this regard would not just be the knowledge I received from Georgia State and the Georgia Film Academy (in fact, I’d argue that one could gain all that knowledge without enrolling in school), but the desire to always be the student, the learner, and to know there is always something to be gained even in the failures.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
Be prepared. This means different things to different people as well as to different mentors. Be prepared to show your work and take in the criticism the mentor or others have to offer you. This work may come in the form of a portfolio or even a single project, as long as it is something that represents your craft and something you can provide personal insight on. Be confident in what you’ve created or want to create. Understand who your audience is and who this work is for (it should probably be you first and foremost). This understanding can help you find the right people to network with, those who want to help you, want to see you become better, and can teach you how to get there.
Contact Info:
- Email: isaiahr25@gmail.com
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/isaiahrobinson25
Image Credits
Shane Hall (for personal photo)
