Today we’d like to introduce you to Kayla Alexander.
Hi Kayla, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Some families are athletic, but mine is definitely artistic. Each one is talented in music, illustration, singing, or dancing. You could say my love for art was inherently genetic. It started with drawing. I was known as the girl who could draw for my entire school career. Then, around middle school, I would use my mom’s phone and take pictures of nature, flowers mostly. I’d edit them and post them on Instagram. Around the same time, I started watching a lot of YouTube and was inspired to make my own channel. My mom got me my first phone, and I would make YouTube videos of all kinds of things: album unboxings, Lego timelapses, vlogs, etc. I just had an urge to create. Anything I could record, I’d record. It was around tenth grade that I started thinking about what I wanted to do for college. I was a yearbook kid all of high school and did a lot of sports photography for the football team. I even designed an award-winning cover for the year 2021. Yet, I found myself developing a love for animation, heavily inspired by Steven Universe. Unfortunately, COVID happened, and acceptance rates changed. The school I had set my sights on for 2d animation would have to wait. I decided to take a gap year, work, and try again. Over a year later, my fate was unchanged. I was accepted only for 3d animation again. This time, I also applied to SCAD and was accepted. I wasn’t sure whether I’d do film & TV or animation, but I declared my major as film & TV. I stuck with it, and now I’m in my senior year. I have so much love for cinematography and sound, and I still want to learn animation and get into many other avenues in the future.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. I think some of my biggest struggles have been not being able to really lock into one specific part of film production. Not just with film, but art in general, since I have so many interests. I have to find a way to balance time among them all. I don’t want to limit myself to any one art form.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a cinematographer, sound designer and mixer, and sports photographer. I am known for typically working in the camera team and doing production sound. I am most proud of how I pushed myself to get on more sets each year. Even more so, I’m proud that I gained the confidence to serve as director of photography on multiple films. I think what sets me apart from others is my love for creating. There isn’t just one area I enjoy working in, and I’m versatile with skills in many roles.
How do you think about luck?
I think all luck, good or bad, helps you to tell stories. As a storyteller and someone who aims to capture and captivate an audience, all experiences help you stay more in touch with the different emotions you can convey in a story. My main goal is always to make my audience feel something when they come into contact with any piece I’ve had the privilege of working on. It all helps you reach more people.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://cookiejackjoe.com
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kayla-alexander-841bb223b/
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@echouniverse?si=ym3spjy65mkaChvK
Image Credits
Hayley Sites
Alexander Geolakis
Tohkyo
