Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Kylan Jackson. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Kylan , so good to have you with us today. We’ve got so much planned, so let’s jump right into it. We live in such a diverse world, and in many ways the world is getting better and more understanding but it’s far from perfect. There are so many times where folks find themselves in rooms or situations where they are the only ones that look like them – that might mean being the only woman of color in the room or the only person who grew up in a certain environment etc. Can you talk to us about how you’ve managed to thrive even in situations where you were the only one in the room?
Realizing there isn’t anyone to look at besides myself is as exciting as it is scary. I vividly remember going through challenges and searching for answers from other successful people via interviews, articles, or whatever else I could find but still never finding someone who has done exactly what I want to do. Yet each person I went to for answers had similarities: they carved their own paths and gave the same advice. Embrace what makes you who you are, because that’s what makes you unique.
It gave me the seed of confidence I needed to continue pushing through the moments of hardship and loneliness I felt along the way. The soil came from realizing I could be the person others look to in this generation, since the people I went to for answers came up over 20 years ago. The water came from studying the craft and trusting my taste and style, which grew my confidence not only in myself but in my path.
To be exceptional, you must be the exception. Knowing I’m the only one in the room and that I can decorate it however I want is creatively freeing and exhilarating, because I strive to create a room that’s undeniable, invites others to join, or inspires them to create their own room with their own décor. Being the only one in the room taught me to rely on my taste, my discipline, and my belief in my path, because no one else could validate it for me
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I’m focused on becoming the best filmmaker I can possibly be, and on that pursuit I want to be amongst the greats of filmmaker. I’ve seen gaps in the film world, a disconnect between audiences and directors, followed by the disconnect audiences have from the actual process of creating art. The process of creating great art is just as important as the finished product, and to me, the process should be treated with the same level of love and attention as the end result. I want to bridge that gap without losing the soul or magic of this beautiful art form, and push film culture forward in my own unique way. I believe I’m the right man for the job, and I’m up for the task.
My intent behind everything I create is to make the best thing I can make at that time. You might love what I create or you might hate it, but I want there to be no misunderstanding about my effort. Ultimately, I’m dedicated to only shooting on film because I love the process, the challenge, and the intentionality required to work with it. I’m also dedicated to telling stories that give people a sense of belonging and understanding. Film, to me, is being able to put into words and actions what many of us feel but don’t have the words to express.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Patience, self-awareness, and persistence have been the three most important qualities in my journey and they all work together.
Self-awareness allowed me to recognize the arc I was in. Knowing whether I was in a learning season, a building season, or a moment of transition helped reset my expectations for what was realistic to accomplish right then. It sounds simple in text, but at the moment I used to think every year was supposed to be my year. Then months would pass and I’d realize I was in the same place as before, just with more information, either about the journey or about myself. From there, the mission became simple: stack days. Every day was about preparing for whenever my time would come, whether I knew it at the moment or not. It was like sharpening my sword in the cave so it would shine when I finally stepped out.
Patience came from understanding the arc. If I keep working, eventually my time will come. And then there’s persistence, my inability to give up. When you pair patience, self-awareness, and persistence together, you end up with someone who has a delusional amount of faith in himself. With that recipe and God by my side, anything is possible.
To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?
My parents instilled two very important things in me that shaped who I am today. The first was to be a leader, not a follower. A lot of parents throw that phrase around as a warning to stay away from trouble, but for me it took on a deeper meaning. You realize what leadership really is when you stand up to your parents and make a decision for your future that doesn’t match what they expected. Leadership starts with leading yourself.
The moment I chose not to go to college and instead jump straight into building my own path was the moment my parents saw I was embracing what they taught me.
The second thing they did was let me be myself. They never shamed me for the things I liked , whether it was basketball, making YouTube videos, wearing what I thought was cool, or getting interested in cameras. They supported it. And with that kind of support, it becomes hard not to love yourself.
When you have self-love, it becomes easier to embrace the nuances and the special things about you. You stop feeling the need to imitate others and start creating things only you could create. It doesn’t happen overnight, but that foundation pushes you toward becoming who you’re meant to be.
Contact Info:
Image Credits
Moises Reyes
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
