We recently had the chance to connect with Bonnie Keith and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Bonnie, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: Who are you learning from right now?
I’ve always been a self-taught creator. I never went through formal education for video or photography—instead, I learned by doing. Every project became my classroom, every challenge an opportunity to grow. For years, my business was built on showing up in person with cameras, lights, and all the gear to capture live events. I would often bring 9 cameras, 6 body mics, tons of lights, tripods, etc to every live filming event plus bringing several assistants with me.
But my work has been evolving. Today, Video Magic Productions is focused on the world of AI technology and animation. Instead of physically filming every moment, I can now take something as simple as a photo and an audio file and turn it into a compelling ad, story, or business promo video. That shift has completely changed not only how I work, but also who I learn from.
Right now, my teachers are YouTube tutorials, online creators, and the incredible innovators I follow who are experimenting in real time with these ever-changing AI tools. I spend hours studying, testing, and pushing the technology to see what’s possible. In many ways, I’m learning the same way I always have—by diving in and figuring it out through hands-on practice—but this time with a new set of tools that are transforming the way stories can be told.
This process can sometimes seem overwhelming because of its constantly changing nature, but that is also what excites me the most. Always something new to learn and evolve.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My journey into video production began long before it was a common career path. In 1977, while living in Los Angeles and working as a professional actress, I realized I needed a way to show people what I looked like on film. At that time, video was still brand new—few had even heard of it—but I saw its potential immediately. Since no one was offering the service, I picked up a camera and began filming myself. Some of my actor friends asked me to film them as well and thus began my new video journey. That single decision sparked a lifelong passion and led me to launch my first company, **RBK Color Video**, the same year.
From that point forward, I always had a video camera in my hand. I documented my children’s lives as they grew up, and when my husband Rob passed away in 2003 at just 53 years old, I came to deeply understand the true power of video. The footage I had captured over the years became priceless memories for our family—something that still drives my mission today: using video to preserve stories, emotions, and legacies that matter most.
In 2008, I re-launched my company under a new name, **Video Magic Productions**, and began teaching myself the world of digital editing—transitioning from the days of hands-on tape cutting to the limitless possibilities of software. That reinvention paid off: my work began earning awards, and I was honored to provide customized productions for clients across both personal and business worlds.
Today, my work has evolved again. Instead of being tied to live event filming and large amounts of equipment, I’ve embraced “AI technology and animation”. With just a photo and an audio file, I can now craft compelling ads, promos, and even children’s animated musical stories. This new era excites me just as much as those early days in 1977—it continues the same spirit of curiosity and reinvention that has carried me throughout my entire career.
What makes me unique is that I’ve been a pioneer in video for nearly five decades—always self-taught, always adapting, and always ahead of the curve. I started before video was even “a thing,” and today I’m still pushing into the future, helping people harness the magic of storytelling in the most modern ways possible.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
There are three moments in my life that profoundly shaped how I see the world.
The first was the birth of my first child, Randy. In that instant, life stopped being just about me. Suddenly, I was responsible for another soul, and it changed my perspective completely. I began to see everything through his eyes—fresh, innocent, and full of wonder. That sense of renewal deepened even more when my second child, Ryan, was born, teaching me what is truly important in life.
The second moment came years later, when my first husband Rob—my high school sweetheart—passed away suddenly at just 53 years old from a heart attack. In an instant, I found myself a single mom, with a business and a home to manage on my own. It was unimaginable at the time, but my children, family, and friends carried me through. That period of loss taught me resilience and reminded me of the strength that comes from love and community.
The third defining moment was when my second husband, Paul, was diagnosed with dementia. His illness and decline were swift and devastating, and once again I was faced with how fragile life can be. Walking that journey with him shifted my priorities once more, placing my health, family, and close friendships at the very center of my life.
These three experiences—joy, loss, and the reality of caregiving—have shaped who I am today. They led me to relocate across the country from Los Angeles to Florida, and to transform my business model so that my work better aligns with what matters most. For me now, it’s all about cherishing time, relationships, and creating meaningful legacies through video and storytelling.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering has been my greatest teacher in ways that success never could. Losing my first husband Rob, my mom and dad and lastly my second husband Paul, were the most painful experiences of my life. Nothing prepares you for that kind of loss, and yet you somehow find the strength to keep going.
What I’ve learned is that survival isn’t just about getting through—it’s about carrying forward the love, wisdom, and lessons each of them gave me. Their influence lives in everything I do. Suffering taught me resilience, patience, and a deeper empathy for others. It stripped away the superficial and reminded me of what really matters: health, family, friendship, and the legacy we leave behind.
Those lessons don’t come from success. They come from walking through the hardest moments and realizing that even in loss, there is meaning and strength to be found.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Whose ideas do you rely on most that aren’t your own?
The ideas I rely on most come from my two boys, Randy and Ryan, who are now grown men, husbands, and fathers themselves. Watching their growth and resilience—especially after losing their dad at such a young age—has been nothing short of remarkable.
We are very close, and I value the honest, open conversations we share. I listen to their perspectives, and their advice means so much to me. They see the world through their own unique experiences, and often they remind me to look at things in ways I might not have considered on my own. In many ways, their strength, wisdom, and compassion continue to inspire and guide me every day.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. When do you feel most at peace?
I feel most at peace when I’m at home working on my animations. Creating brings me a sense of calm and fulfillment—it’s my happy place. I also find deep peace anytime I’m with my grandchildren. Living in Florida now, near my grandson, has been such a blessing. Those moments, whether I’m creating or simply enjoying family time, remind me of the joy of living life on my own terms. Doing what I love, in my own time, rather than on someone else’s schedule, is truly essential to my peace of mind.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://videomagicpros.com
- Youtube: bpkvideo.com
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