Today we’d like to introduce you to Sh’Kia Augustin.
Sh’Kia, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Born and raised in a small, close-knit country town called Oakland, FL (20 or so mins from Orlando). Like many, I got my start in church. My maternal grandmother was the Director of youth activities at church so I was expected (more like required) to sing in the choir and perform in every holiday play. My passion for the arts began with music, but I was extremely shy as a kid, convinced that the church congregation only clapped when I sang because it was the Godly thing to do. So, I joined the band instead. I played the flute in the orchestra and marching band starting in middle school and eventually received a scholarship to Florida Atlantic University, where I majored in Finance and minor in Commercial Music Business.
While at FAU, I became a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated and the President of the Black Student Union. As president, I hosted campus events and directed stage plays such as A Raisin in the Sun, For Colored Girls and Vagina Monologues, and co-wrote an original play, The Makings of a Man: Penis Monologues, which I also directed.
After graduating, I worked in corporate finance while performing in local stage plays, feature, and short films, and writing and co-producing short films and web series with my husband/creative partner, Daniel Augustin. Recently, my husband and I wrapped our third digital series titled Kinfolk. We are currently releasing our second digital series titled Cake, which can be found on IGTV @cake_theseries. My goal is to share authentic stories that the world can enjoy and hopefully learn from and to always be in the driver’s seat of my destiny.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The life of an artist is not an easy road but we all find unique ways to make it work. I didn’t come from money. There was no savings for college, no trust fund to start my company, but I’ve always been resourceful and a go-getter. In college, I decided to major in finance, convinced I’d make more money. And I did. That job paid for every short film and web series I produced (on the weekends of course). As a teen, I picked up a skill… hair braiding. Black women love us some braids. So yea, I do hair too. Of course, I want to make a living off my work, and one day I will. But for now, I still work two jobs to be able to fund my dream job.
Augustin Productions – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Augustin Productions is run by my husband, Daniel Augustin, and I. Although we met my freshman year in college, we began collaborating in my senior year. He was a singer, actor, and athlete interested in turning his album into a music video series. Luckily, he didn’t let his lack of money in the bank stop him, either. We teamed up, wrote it, filmed it, and released it on our own. It wasn’t easy, but we did it again and again. Since then, we have produced over five short films and created two digital series, Cake (@cake_theseries), which is currently releasing on IGTV and Kinfolk (@kinfolktheseries), which will be released in 2021.
I tend to focus more on writing, producing, and acting. The stories I like to tell are often female-driven and family-centered. Black. Satirical, and sometimes, outlandish. Daniel is an actor, singer, writer, editor, director… everything. He does everything, literally. Oftentimes, people say they want to be an actor, director, or creator, but they aren’t creating. I’m proud that we aren’t waiting for someone else to give us permission to tell our stories. We’re doing it.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
I can’t say I have a proudest moment, but I’m most proud of myself for not giving up. We’ve already discussed how hard it can be living as an artist, but seriously, it’s tough. I’m proud every time I get an audition, even when I don’t book. I’m proud of the fact that I get up and write every day, not knowing if someone will ever read it or see it on the big screen. And I’m proud that I have my husband/partner/best friend with me along this amazing ride.
Contact Info:
- Email: shkiaaugustin@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shkiaaugustin/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shkiaaugustin/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/KiaAugustin
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