Meet Isabella Dudley of Atlanta

Today we’d like to introduce you to Isabella Dudley.

Isabella, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Rubber Duckies, Ballet, and Michel Jackson, were the main things running through my mind as a child, reflecting on that, I always knew that I was a creative. From creatively lying to my parents about why my grade hasn’t been put into the grade book, to creative collaboration in making my award winning capstone, film Raw N Reel. Growing up in Tallahassee Florida, I was raised with a lot of culture, history, and entertainment. Although the capital isn’t as magical as central or south Florida, I still learned the impact of storytelling and how were able to tell that story, to finding new pieces at railroad square, to creating a step routine for my youth sorority organization (Zeta Phi Beta Archonettes: Alpha Upsilon chapter). Along with the title of being a north Floridian, black and white woman of the Deep South, I’m also a devout Christian, and my church home, New Harvest Christian Center. In my church we have a ‘niche’ way of express our worship to God, praise dancing. From flags, to face paint, to, falling out, praise dancing is a sacred and impactful visual representation of what he can do through you. Along with praise dancing, I did ballet for 7 years, rather it be pointe, company, or hip hop, teaching me the ‘elegant’ arts of movement and telling a story through them. With honing in on both of those ‘movement’ attributes, I always wanted to step out of my skin and be able to see what I was doing and capture the ‘uniqueness’ of it all. The behind the scenes, the stretches, the emotion showing physically and mentally through the performer. Dance has always been part of my life but that movement wasn’t my true passion and I knew it, I wanted to be the one to capture it.
But aside from the artsy portion of me, I always evoke my love for the country living any chance I get, they call it ‘white people activities’ (which some are) but I call it antics anybody can get into. From four-wheeling, to fish frying, to roman candles wars, nothing beats knowing everybody in town and their business. That’s why for my first film I wanted to make it extra special, showcasing my version of ordinary people.
I Graduated From Savannah College of Arts and Design in May of 2025, with a bachelor’s in Fine arts, specifically film/television. My main interest are set designing/prop building and sound design, but when I became a senior and our choice for our capstone was an editor, producer, director, and DP, I wanted to challenge myself to write and direct my capstone. The main thing that I had to get used to throughout life is that not everything will turn out how you want it to be, especially when it’s artwork, some people say perfectionism, I say I’m not wasting time. When it came to directing I had to self fund and collaborate for the film, although it was stressful (happy stress) I taught me to trust in your partners in a project. All in all this collaboration became a family on set, we all cried, laughed and quiet on set’d multiple times. And trusting not only in my village and supports for the film but along with God, helped me win my First Award at the international black and diversity film festival, for ‘best short film’ in the U.S. category! Although there’s a myriad more to come, I can only thank God for giving me the gift of creativity.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The big three obstacles that I’ve overcome or still working how to knock down is my racial and gender place in society, learning how to trust in creative collaboration, and holding onto that passion in your heart while freelancing. From a wee little lad I always saw the different in how I was treated with other kids growing up, specifically getting unfair nice treatment due to my ‘mixness’. I would usually go towards the black kids in grade school since sadly if you’re a lil darker than sand, you’d be considered ‘whitewashed’ if you hung out with the white kids (which we shouldn’t have to conform ourselves to this and just break barriers). But when I hung out with my crew I would usually get (rightfully looking back) chastised on my hair on, ‘I need to take care of it because it’s the good kind’. All type of hair is good type of hair. But nonetheless, constantly seeing and hearing that narrative being depicted in media and history, never sat right with me when we’re literally the blueprint. I struggled a bit with identity, especially in high school, although it’s a small detail it’s one that sticks out with me; test taking, job applications, college applications all have this in common, race category. One day my parents jokingly asked what do I put in the category box growing up and more times than not I would do African American, which led to a lecture and disappointment (not towards me). Things like these made me want to bring out and rightfully represent my ordinary people in my film. When creating my film I was super hesitant on who I wanted to join since not only do I want black actors but a majority black crew. Gratefully, we became a family on set, having inside jokes, doing group prayers, and all sleeping together (not like that). My trust in this collaboration really helped the production quality of Raw N Reel and even just navigating creative careers.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Although majority of my current work is student-based or made with campus gear, it’s great portfolio work, showcasing my personality and keen style in editing and framing. My top three works are ‘Raw N Reel’, ‘Helio’ by Simone Inez (music Video), and ‘Clipped’; all can be found on Vimeo. I mainly specialize in Set dressing and prop building, I love to construct, create, demolish, dirty up a set. Something about when audience member notices a prop (in a good way) really takes the cake. In all three of my favorite films, Set dressing was a vital department, not only to get the basics but to also evoke the main message in the film or music video the artist is trying to showcase. Adam Stockhausen is hands down my favorite production designer at the moment; his sets in Wes Anderson films seems like a dream and emulates the scenery of the movies Toys. Along with his quirky and colorful display, Stockhausen’s ability to get a fictional place historically accurate is satisfying. I can say the same for most film makers but I love finding period props or working a period project. Although it’s tedious to find the perfect prop for a Motown recreation of a ribbon mic, but once you find it, it’s like a gold mine. I think that’s another reason why I like mini- hoarding, the stories that the objects can tell, and what they can be use for not only on set but for home decor or event spaces. My ‘art department hobbie’ is making air dry clay masks, perfecting them in hopes of seeing if they can make the main stage. Even though I haven’t made the perfect mask, I do have a set that I’m proud of, which is the set of ‘Blood Upon Them’.While working on that set, it not only taught me different ways to make a pool of blood, it also taught me to think quick on my feet. For example, there’s was a family room in the precinct room, the camera was angled at a clear cork board, I thought quick and drew up kids pictures and pinned them. All this helped me put out small fires in life!

Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
I do photography/videography services for commercial companies and personal portfolios. My main portfolio work is located on my website and booking is done via instagram @idpho.tography.

Pricing:

• 2-8hr photoshoot $200-$750
• 2-8hr Video shoot $250-$825
• Sound Gear rental $150/day
• Lighting Gear $75/day
• Crew Work $200/day

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.idproductions.info
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/isabella_dudley03?igsh=MW5raHEyN25qOTB2aA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1CmK5SwH3w/?mibextid=wwXIfr
• LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/isabella-dudley-043778236
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@isabelladudley1812?si=fgTwaD6gWFwExNmD