We recently connected with Milana Burdette and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Milana, appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?
My resilience has been cultivated through past experiences overcoming failure, fostering community, trusting my intuition, and transforming challenges into opportunities. Generational trauma wove through our family fabric, yet in times of profound hardship, we united, sharing the love and support we possessed when the world was cold. My survival and progress would be difficult to attain without a supportive network, whether assigned or chosen. Humans need connection and a sense of belonging. It is in these bonds that we find the strength to endure and the encouragement to pursue our dreams.
Growing up, the women in my family embodied a strength, manifesting in our perseverance and intuitive insights; traits that have, at times, saved our lives. Ignoring my intuition proved detrimental, making it an indispensable tool as I navigate life. This intuitive strength is a legacy that guides me, ensuring I maintain trust within myself rather than external sources. While I need support, I must also find what I need within myself, balancing internal resilience with external support to create a foundation that is both sturdy and adaptable.
My resilience is forged through self-reflection and shaped by my experiences. It comes from my ability to confront my shadowed self with honesty. I continually ask: How can I harness my strengths more effectively? What can I do differently next time? What burdens no longer serve me? These questions drive my growth, turning adversity into a catalyst for personal development.
Traversing male-dominated realms as a woman of color has, at times, exacerbated feelings of isolation. The relentless pressure to validate my worth is taxing. Feelings of powerlessness and alienation can distort perception, and when entwined with anxiety and depression, it becomes tempting to retreat. Yet when I am told I can’t, my relentless determination drives me to persist. I am too stubborn to fold, having been told I could do anything in life. Instead of telling myself I can’t, I say, “How can I be better” and “Why not try?” This mentality, instilled by my parents, has fortified me through adversity and propelled me to where I stand today. Their unwavering belief in my potential continues to fuel my journey, reminding me that resilience is both a personal and collective endeavor. Each step forward is a testament to the resilience that defines me, a resilience that is both a gift and a responsibility to nurture and share.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
My name is Milana Burdette, and I am a cinematographer and photographic artist based in LA. I employ experimental techniques to create imagery that reflects the hidden aspects of the self. Themes of resilience, pain, and shared human experience are central to my work, which often explores societal challenges through surreal visual narratives.
As both a visual artist and cinematographer, my practice in each field complements the other. In my visual art, I use old analog photographic processes to explore the core of human existence by distorting and abstracting the ego. This focus on texture, symbolism, and light informs my cinematography, helping me capture the essence of my subjects.
Currently, I am designing a book of photographs that explores desire and the psychology behind various fetishes. I am also in pre-production on a new body of work.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
The three qualities that were most impactful in my journey are persistence, consistency, and humility.
Persistence is the hallmark of resilience in the face of adversity. It involves pushing through uncertainty by reminding myself of my purpose. This unwavering determination has allowed me to overcome countless obstacles and remain steadfast in the pursuit of my goals, regardless of setbacks.
Consistency is about maintaining momentum and ensuring steady progress towards my objectives. It demands a strong work ethic and a commitment to professionalism, recognizing the value of my abilities and my time. By putting in the extra effort to distinguish myself, I have built a solid foundation that ensures reliable and sustained progress.
Humility is the recognition that there is always more to learn. It means dedicating time to acquiring new skills and seeking wisdom from others. Humility helps maintain composure in the face of challenges, enabling clear thinking and effective problem-solving. This quality has kept me grounded and open to continuous growth, fostering both personal and professional development.
For those early in their journey, my advice is to diligently cultivate these qualities. Develop persistence by continually reminding yourself of your purpose and pushing through challenges with unwavering determination. Build consistency by setting realistic goals, maintaining a strong work ethic, and striving for steady progress. Embrace humility by being open to learning, and recognizing that growth is a lifelong process. By focusing on these areas, I have established a strong foundation for success and personal fulfillment.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
I am eager to collaborate on innovative projects that push boundaries and redefine narratives. I would love to connect with film directors who possess an experimental spirit, creating in the realms of fashion, music video, commercial, short form, feature-length films, and documentaries. I also want to build long-term collaborative relationships with producers, editors, sound designers, creative/art directors, artists, wardrobe stylists, and other creative professionals.
My fascination lies in the depths of alternative and underground culture, sensuality, arthouse filmmaking, analog, death, history, the avant-garde, esotericism, psychology, and music. If your work resonates with these themes and you are driven by a passion for the unconventional, let’s connect and create something extraordinary.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://milanaburdette.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/milanaburdette
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/milana-burdette-79b615183/
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