We recently had the chance to connect with Shaniya Douglas and have shared our conversation below.
Good morning Shaniya, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
Lately I’ve been practicing Yoga! In a world so hectic, taking time away from the screens to connect with my breath and body is starting to feel crucial. It’s helped a lot with my mental health and makes me feel strong and flexible. It also gives me an excuse to get out of the house and move alongside my community.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Shaniya, and I’m a freelance filmmaker! I was introduced to the world of “movie magic” by my great-grandmother, Sandra Watters, who pursued acting as well as modeling later in her life. I’ve been editing videos since high school, and spent my college career building connections and learning the in’s and out’s of pre pro, production and post. My current goal is to continue to build my portfolio, and find my voice as a black woman in a male dominated space. By collaborating with people and brands that align with what I value, I’m creating projects I can be proud of!
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
My best friend of over 10 years, Renae, helped shape me into the creator I am today. Since middle school, we’ve encouraged each other creatively without judgment. I’ve shared the roughest versions of my work with her, whether that be videos I edited or stories I’ve written. Renae has always matched my energy, sometimes being more enthusiastic about my work than I am! It’s no surprise that we both pursued degrees in media and film, as well as teamed up for the production of our thesis film. Renae’s never-ending support and sisterhood has led me to become a more confident version of myself.
When you were sad or scared as a child, what helped?
When I was younger I found comfort in music during dark times. No matter if it was through my iPod, CDs, or a concert, good music was always my safe space. Some of my fondest memories are from going to concerts with my friends, counting down the days until the next one. Concert goers, and music fandoms alike, are some of the first communities I found myself in. I learned early on how powerful music can be, and I’m grateful for the people it’s brought me closer to. I owe a lot of my interest in music videos to the artists I grew up listening to and watching.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
I believe one of the biggest lies coming from the TV & Film industry is that artificial intelligence can replicate and replace the emotions and talent of an actual human being. I’m a big supporter of technological advances that make our everyday lives easier, but not when it’s used to take jobs away from people who need them. In my opinion, AI should make it so we spend more time on our creative endeavors and less time on the mundane, like grocery lists. It feels like artificial writers, actors, and artists are just another way to discriminate against real people who don’t fit into the conventional look of that said role.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. Have you ever gotten what you wanted, and found it did not satisfy you?
I’ve experienced this multiple times in my life, mainly with jobs I’ve had in the past. At first I thought it was me that was the problem until I realized one important thing: rarely anything works out the exact way you want it to. That’s why it’s important to stay flexible and, in my opinion, practice a bit of detachment. Nothing lasts forever and every achievement is a step towards the next big thing. Don’t get me wrong, celebrating yourself and what you achieve is so crucial and I still don’t do it enough. At the end of the day we as people are constantly evolving and changing what we want out of life and that’s okay, as long as you keep going.
Contact Info:
- Website: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shaniyarena?igsh=ZnJmZXVpMTBqdnh3&utm_source=qr
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaniya-douglas-0156b5147
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLD5tjokOPchaT8tCQFCMzA
- Other: Vimeo:
https://vimeo.com/1074773185/b67acfe61a?share=copy#t=0
Image Credits
Annie Kane, Tieler King, Noah Haycock
