Meet Kevin Coleman-Cohen | Director, Producer, Educator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kevin Coleman-Cohen and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kevin, we’d love to hear what makes you happy.
Spending time with my nieces and nephews truly makes me happy. I love all of them, I seriously do. Until I have my own children, they get everything. LOL. Also, being on earth and having my mom smile from heaven makes me happy too. I am not perfect but the type of films I am trying to create would make my momma very proud. Before her passing, my mom once told me she had no idea I loved making movies. My only regret is she passed away before she could see any of my films. The day I drove from St. Louis, MO to Los Angeles to attend the American Film Institute she had one of the biggest smiles I had ever seen, I work hard to honor that! My mom passed away before I could screen my AFI thesis film.

Please tell us more about your work. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
There are lots of ways for me to answer this question. I have been asked this question before but after speaking with a fellow filmmaker friend recently, my response is fresh. What sets me apart is I cannot make a film that I do not see myself in. I heard Bradford Young, an amazing cinematographer (Selma, Arrival, Solo: A Star Wars Story) say that during an interview and he is correct. Bradford was the cinematographer on two of my Howard University undergraduate films way back in the day.

I must have an emotional connection to the material rather I am the writer or not. I have to pull from my own experiences and use my unique voice which makes the journey true for me. Films are always about the truth regardless of the genre or story. At least they should be about seeking the truth.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I work in St. Louis, Los Angeles, and soon to be Atlanta. I am expending my brand. However, in LA there are things you must do with out of towners. You have to do the walk of fame and shop along the strip. Visitors always get a kick out of the street performers and seeing the names of stars on the sidewalk. Then we must have lunch at the Grove, the original farmers market. For me, Dupar’s is KING. They have the best darn pancakes on earth. We also have to hit up the Santa Monica pier and get some funnel cakes. Lastly, just ride through Beverly Hills and Rodeo Drive. It usually gives my friends and family from other cities a really big thrill.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I want to give thanks to Youth In Need, Inc. They are a wonderful organization in the St. Louis metro area. I have great memories working there. The support from the leadership and staff is something I have never seen at any other employer. I have worked under some pretty good mentors at other non-profits, however, Youth In Need holds a special place in my heart. They truly believed in me and is all about serving the community and ultimately our youth. I learned so much from them. I am honored to have worked for the late great Jim Braun and the current CEO, Pat Holterman-Hommes. They are amazing human beings. There is light that shines on that agency, seriously!

Website: www.colemanentertainment.com

Instagram: kevin_coleman_cohen

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-coleman-cohen-9b359924

Twitter: @kevinmovies

Other: https://vimeo.com/kevincolemancohen