Life & Work with Shakeenan Griffin of atlanta

Today we’d like to introduce you to Shakeenan Griffin.

Hi Shakeenan, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I grew up as a military kid, moving around the country until 2019, when I settled in Atlanta. I was born in Lubbock, Texas, in 2000. Throughout my life, I’ve explored various art forms in each place I lived, including acting, filmmaking, modeling, and photography. When I arrived in Atlanta to attend SCAD, I pursued a BFA in Film/Television with a minor in acting. I discovered that I could thrive both in front of and behind the camera, and I wanted to establish myself as a versatile artist who can adapt and go where I’m needed.

After completing my time at SCAD, I successfully wrote and directed my own comedy short film, “Tell Me Your Name Again.” I also contributed as on-screen talent and a story producer for three consecutive episodes of Chef ATL. Most recently, I was cast as the lead in “The Seed of Redemption,” directed by Kamille Caldwell, where I portrayed two different characters.

Having earned my BFA last year and established my narrative as a versatile artist, I have spent the past year focusing on my acting career and building a solid foundation as a young adult and artist. This way, when the next opportunity arises, I’ll be ready to step in and contribute wherever I’m needed. I still have so much more to prove, and everything that I’ve experienced up until this point has only been “level one”. The real work has only begun.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
– I moved nine times by 2019.
– I worked seven different jobs and consistently logged over 40 hours each week throughout my college years.
– I experienced two years of college during the pandemic.
– After completing my comedy short film, *Tell Me Your Name Again*, I went through an injury and surgery that left me bedridden for half the year. However, I managed to complete my lead role in *The Seed of Redemption* just months after my recovery.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
In the future, I plan to develop my skills by gaining a deeper knowledge base of every film department. I intend to achieve this by maintaining a flexible work ethic, ensuring that I am never confined to just one position. By doing so, I believe I can better understand the intricacies of the filmmaking process and contribute more effectively as a producer. As an artist, I take pride in my willingness to embrace multiple roles in the industry. I have directed, produced, and established myself as a reliable actor and first assistant director (1st AD). My experience spans various genres, including comedy, drama, documentary, and reality. With this accumulated knowledge, I am focusing on becoming a better producer. My goal is to be a producer who can effectively facilitate film sets by leveraging my ability to wear multiple hats and manage different departments.

Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
Likes:

. ATL has so many different restaurants, and as a food connoisseur, I love that!

. Being a military kid and living all across the country, Atlanta is by far one of the most diverse places I’ve lived in. At the same time, as a black creative, I feel that black culture in Atlanta is very diverse, and that’s amazing to me.

. I love nature and the city. ATL is a perfect combination of both

Dislikes:

. The Traffic!

Contact Info:

• Instagram: shakeenannn