Today we’d like to introduce you to Allyssa-Faith Dawkins.
Hi Allyssa-Faith, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
In my Audio, Video, Technology, & Film (AVTF) class at Dacula High School I anchored for the morning announcements, called Live Wire. I would also edit special segments, like a Christmas special. My teacher, Robert Winstead told me I was a good Editor. Which led me to take the Premiere Pro Certification during COVID. Ever since I’ve gotten my certificate, I have always found a way to use Premiere.
When I got to college, University of West Georgia, I joined their news station, WUTV, which broadcasts to Carroll County. At WUTV, I learned how to use their Tricaster as a Technical Director. I would switch the video for pre-programmed Newscasts, News Briefs, and Talk Shows. Turns out that the company, Amitrace, that provided and installed the equipment for WUTV did the same at Dacula High School.
I also joined the School of Communication, Film, and Media Productions as a Digital Content Producer. At first I was an Equipment Handler for the schools Equipment Pool and eventually I was able to shoot and edit interviews, promotional videos, etc for UWG’s website.
While working those two jobs at school I was also Co-Founder and Vice President of University of West Georgia Short Film Student Organization. The organization helped underclassmen write a script within a screenwriting group, learn how to use film equipment before their classes within the Film Major, and shoot a short film within a weekend.
I’ve always wanted to create a tv show and with the knowledge I gained from college, Samiyah Nobles and I created YahWay TV. I wrote the script for the first episode after Samiyah and I hammered out the focus. Fortunately, I was an intern at Ours Studios in Decatur, Georgia and they allowed me to use their BlackMagic 4k, RED, and blue cyc wall to shoot our first episode.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I dropped out of college for a semester in 2024. While I was out of college I became pregnant and I had to make the hard decision to not have my child. I was at a time in my life where my college provided all of my income and since I was no longer in school I could barely afford myself at the time. I could only afford rent because I used my refund from school to pay off 6 months of rent in advance.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I love storytelling, I believe that’s why I enjoy producing.
My school does a week long film race for each semester and usually I’m a Producer and Editor. I like working with different people, especially underclassmen. I get to help them learn how to use certain equipment before we start shooting and during the shoot. If our crew doesn’t have an experienced gaffer or grip and there’s an underclassmen that wants to learn then I work as their Gaffer & Key Grip mentor on set.
At Dacula High School, for my prom I told administrators that they didn’t have to have Cady Studios take pictures because the AVTF class was a good resource. They allowed it, so we set up a green screen, brought a camera, and we let students know at the prom where the pictures were being taken. I remember the wind tried to blow the green screen away, so Cooper Brambley, a fellow AVTF student that was taking pictures suggested that since we’re in a Gazebo facing Lake Lanier we might as well use the scenery as a background for the pictures. The pictures came out great and in exchange the administrators painted the wall in our News Room Green. I’m also proud of a short film my boyfriend, Kasir Warren, and I worked on for the 2025 Spring film race called Court & Wendell. It had themes from WandaVision, Get Out, and The Truman Show. It was about a sitcom husband that starts to take notice of his world, as he disassociates from his “house-husband” role. The short was nominated for Best Use of Concept.
I believe what sets me apart from other filmmakers is that I want to create live-action anime. I think it’s the same as marvel comics getting an adaptation. Kodansha is creating a studio in Hollywood, California called Kodansha Studios. I believe that’s the biggest first step for new IP in Film and TV.
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
Courage has helped me get to where I am today.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allyssa_faith?igsh=ajRjbGNmYW56ajRp&utm_source=qr
- Youtube: https://youtu.be/juhL4OT1htA
- Other: http://reveel.film/ObrngQmiiKgx2mT
Image Credits
Kasir Warren Luke Hobbs Cameron Cambridge Carrington Bothwell Taylor Davis Matthew Blake Giddens Tamia Mack Malachi Ashe Destiney Alston Daisy Gonzalez Ian Van Brunt Elaine Hudgins Jelan Garrett Micah Noel Kennady Torrence Shelby Whitmire Betty Cason Michelle Morgan Kaylah Nichols Makayla Wright Shem Grant
