We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Priscilla Runion a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Priscilla, so excited to have you with us today. So much we can chat about, but one of the questions we are most interested in is how you have managed to keep your creativity alive.
I find inspiration everywhere to keep my creativity alive, but music plays a huge role in that process. When I’m writing scripts or brainstorming a music video treatment, I love listening to cinematic scores—they have this incredible way of transporting me into the world I’m creating. If I hit a creative wall, my go-to move is putting in my headphones, heading outside for a walk, and blasting music to let my brain run wild.
A perfect example of this was when I was writing my short film Fractured. There was a pretty significant plot point I just couldn’t crack, and at the time, I was listening to the Avatar: The Way of Water soundtrack nonstop. Something about the score unlocked new ideas, and suddenly, the missing piece fell into place. Moments like that remind me how powerful music is—it has this amazing ability to tap into emotions and inspire major creative breakthroughs.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I’m a filmmaker and photographer, and what I love most about both is the variety—they allow me to work on all kinds of projects, keeping things fresh and exciting. I’ve had the chance to collaborate with different businesses and individuals, which has been an amazing way to explore different styles and storytelling approaches.
Over the past couple of years, I’ve been focusing more on narrative filmmaking, and it’s been an incredible journey. I’ve had the opportunity to work on two feature films, direct and act in a short film, and now, I’m in the process of bringing my own short film, Fractured, to life. This project is especially exciting for me because it blends my love of music, dance, and storytelling in a way that feels deeply personal. Right now, we’re in the fundraising stage, and I can’t wait to dive into production and share this story with the world!
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?
That’s a tough one! Looking back on my journey, I’d say three key qualities have been essential: persistence, a hunger for learning, and taking action.
Persistence is a must because breaking into this industry takes time. There will be plenty of “no’s” before you start hearing “yes,” and it’s so important to keep pushing forward. Dedicate yourself to making each project better than the last, and don’t give up—everyone starts somewhere!
A hunger for learning has also been a huge factor in my growth. I haven’t “made it” by any means, and I fully intend to keep learning for the rest of my life. The good news is that there are endless resources out there. They don’t call it YouTube University for nothing! Seeking out mentors has also been invaluable for me—having people in your corner who encourage and challenge you is such a game changer.
And last but not least: Lights, camera, ACTION! You won’t grow if you don’t get out there and practice. Set a goal to master one new skill a week and apply it on set. The only way to improve is by doing, so put yourself out there, take risks, and learn as you go!
Is there a particular challenge you are currently facing?
Right now, the biggest challenge I’m facing is raising the funds to bring my short film, Fractured, to life. This story is raw, dynamic, and something I feel deeply passionate about. My colleague, Maxime, originally came to me with the concept, and I immediately knew I had to write it. Fractured is inspired by Cell Block Tango from Chicago and explores the untold origin stories of three women before they landed on murderer’s row—unpacking what led them to that breaking point.
Funding independent films is never easy, but I’m fully committed to making it happen. To help with fundraising, we’re launching a merch line soon, with all proceeds going directly to the film. I’m also applying for every grant I can find and actively building relationships with producers and executive producers in hopes of finding the right person who believes in this project as much as I do. It’s a challenge, but one I’m more than willing to take on because this story deserves to be told!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.skystonedigitalmedia.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/priscillarunion/
Image Credits
– Top and 7th photo of me by: John Fleischmann
– Photo of me with gimbal: Fabian Arnold
– 6th photo: Megan Gorey
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
