Today we’d like to introduce you to Kennedy Culver.
Kennedy, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Originally, I wanted to be a dancer. I trained since the age of two in many styles and danced with important people in the dance world but I always had a passion for film. It was amazing what people can catch with a camera and then put shots together, but I noticed, as I got older, there were not many people who looked like me on the screen. It bothered me that other minorities were not on the big screen as much as they should. If there were minorities on the screen, their character was attached to a negative stereotype. Black men and Latin men were thugs and drug dealers. Black women and Latin women were loud and sexualized. Asians were deemed as “nerds”, can play any instrument, and often submissive. Native Americans you don’t really see unless it is a western film. Arabs are portrayed as terrorists. Those who are disabled were only seen in wheelchairs and mental disabilities are not portrayed accurately. LGBTQ+ were seen as the “gay sidekick” or best friend. My goal is to have people of color, those with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ on the screen without a negative stereotype because there is a difference between a stereotype than highlighting culture or just them as individuals. I want audiences to know that people of color, LGBTQ+, and those with disabilities in films can be heroes, they can find love and that they don’t need to be attached to something negative to make it a good film.
As I began my college years at Georgia State University, I started planning on how I can start my career. My uncle, Tony Perry, introduced me to my mentors Jeff Jackson of J-Squared Productions and Victoria Sou of Space Gray Studios. They taught me how to break down and build up a camera, what the pre-production process is like, they taught me about set design, things that I was not learning in my pre-requisite classes. I worked as a production assistant and a camera assistant under them as we filmed music videos for Atlanta artists. During this time, I was also given insight into screenplays by a stranger turned friend Carlos.
I then went off on my own and filmed my first video, White Noise, which focuses on the aesthetic of the video rather than sound and the start of the Color Series, which focuses on the moods of color. Thank you to the models Trish Tran and Akeem Littles. Soon after, I got a call to work on the set of Wild ns’ Out, season 15 as a production assistant, which was huge for me, because it was my first big gig. After Wild n’ Out ended they asked me to come back for Season 16 but unfortunately COVID-19 postponed it along with a short film called “Pritty” directed by Terrance Daye, based on a novel by Keith F. Miller, Jr., and I was supposed to be a Props Manager. COVID-19 didn’t stop me from picking up a camera. I started a new project called “Blue” which is a continuation of the Color Series. It focused on nature, adventure, and, of course, the color itself. I took the approach of showing the color blue as a color that is ethereal, calming, and peaceful. Because of COVID- 19, I had to basically do everything myself from set design to makeup to camera work to editing. Then I bought the wrong camera from my apartment, I forgot my DSLR in my apartment in Atlanta. I accidentally bought my Canon T6I but I made it work. Thanks to the models, Jayla Lawton and Bleu “Abstrvct” Cantillano. Now I am working on another project, hopefully, that will be completed very soon along with a couple of screenplays that would make it to the silver screen soon.
Has it been a smooth road?
So far it has not been a very smooth road for me. I have been told “No” many times when it came to internships, working on sets, and even just finding gigs to work. That is why I believe networking is extremely important in this industry because it is very true, “It’s about who you know”. Granted, that’s a cliché, but I’ve found it to be true. I did not want to wait to take certain classes at the university I attend; I wanted to get out there and be hands-on. I decided to attend events from fashion shows to movie premiere screenings and I wanted to absorb all I can so I can take it with me as I venture out into this industry.
What I do find, at times, is to be taken seriously when networking in a predominately male industry, as a woman. Granted, I am a 19-year-old young woman, but I have seen some ugly sides of the film industry already. It takes strength and determination to tackle this industry and I’m in it for the long haul. It is a journey that I am ready to take.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
My brand is called Euphoric Productions. I created it originally to start my portfolio, I wanted something to show for when it came to applying for internships. Then it turned into something where I could focus on accepts on the world that individuals take for granted. Euphoric Productions is my portfolio full of visuals, to show my works, photography, and videos. I am proud of my work mostly because it is something that I am building myself with the support of friends and family. A collection of me and what I would like to put out. I think what sets me apart is that, for this portfolio, I just would like others to enjoy it. It shows the growth of a student who had a passion for film but didn’t know the first technical term to a student who now has the confidence to show an audience the things she could do.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
I feel like this city is good to start out in, especially for a black individual looking into the entertainment business. Of course, it will be hard, not everyone is a legitimate contact or source. As long as one continues to work hard and going after their passion, they can succeed in Atlanta. One thing that Atlanta can improve in is giving more young people a chance. Many want individuals with experience, but how can young people have experience if no one is giving them the chance. They need to be given the chance to learn and acquire hands-on experience in order to build their resume.
Contact Info:
- Phone: 912-414-3091
- Email: euphoric.productions14@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/euphoric_productions/
Image Credit:
1,2,4,6 – Devy Perkins
Suggest a story: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
