Today we’d like to introduce you to Tia King.
Hi Tia, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
January 24th, 2020: “Your student refund has been processed” January 31st, 2020: I purchased my first DSLR camera.
A week of constant overthinking on should I use a month’s worth of bills on an expensive gut feeling. I hit send with my eyes closed wide open, brainstorming ways I could build this first steppingstone into a production company of creative direction. I spent more time in the ideation stage than I planned during lockdown only to come up with the concept of my first production. Classes called my attention back to adjust to the new normal and in the meantime, I took pictures of friends and still photographs. My senior year at Georgia State University I directed, wrote, and produced Tia K. Productions’ first short film, ‘Joy to the World.’ 615 views later, the film has been featured on independent filmmaker sites, screened at my university, and given my first interview article. In the past, I lived my wildest dreams in my head rather than in the physical because I was scared to put myself out there in fear of ‘what if it nothing goes right’? My way of thinking had to change… ‘What if it doesn’t go wrong?’
Alright, 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?
I’ve spent way too much time trying to perfect things before I do them rather than learning as I go. It’s a big adjustment for me because I tend to overcomplicate. So having a passion with so much fluidity in direction, I’m becoming more open to change and taking away the shame of having a bad idea. I write down every thought, including the ones outside of my budget, because not now doesn’t mean not ever. Finances get in the way of how much content I’d like to produce, however in due time, I’ll be able to bring more stories from the pen to production.
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?
I’m most proud of ‘Joy to the World, a short film’. “Alright, well… go make a film!” said my professor as he gave us complete creative freedom and boy was I initially stuck. I had the idea but no guidance on where to take the project as I made progress in the foundation. Halfway through the semester, he reviewed my progress and told me I was beyond the scope of the final project. I tried simplifying the story more but ultimately made the commitment to keep going against my professor’s judgement and take the chance. I wore many hats from casting director, graphic designer, voice actress, etc. to bring the production to the screen. It was damn hard but worth seeing my work premiere. I plan to create more film productions and grow my photography clientele by expanding into events and real estate.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
Overthinking will put me in a bigger hole than doubt ever will. I believe I can do anything I put my mind to, I’ve had to learn not to dwell there too long though.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/tiakproductions?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
- Youtube: https://youtu.be/lsdybQandSU
