Meet Kelsey McGee | Director & Producer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kelsey McGee and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kelsey, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I always knew that I wanted to be an artist. When I was five, I told everyone I would be an “artiste” for Halloween. My mom and I splashed paint over one of my dad’s white button-ups, and I wore a beret. I was so proud of myself.

My journey into the arts started pretty young. I’ve always been an avid reader, and I knew I would be a storyteller. During parent-teacher conferences, one of my teachers told my parents that every time she turned around, other students would be talking, but my head would be buried in a book. I started to write my own stories and poetry too.

My high school was not arts-focused–I went to an all-girls Catholic school, and most of my friends were hoping to get recruited to play lacrosse, basketball, swimming, etc., in college. Sometimes I felt like I was the only one who saw the world the way that I did. I had the opportunity to take a darkroom photography class; I fell in love with it. I started learning how to not only tell stories with the written word but also how to tell stories with an image.

During my senior year at Boston College, I started work on my thesis about arts and reconciliation practices. I applied for and received the “Salmanowitz Grant for Moral Courage in Film” through the BC film department. I flew to Belfast and Derry-Londonderry, Northern Ireland, and filmed a short documentary about art made during and after the Troubles.

I fell in love with documentary filmmaking and knew that this was what I had to do with my life. I see no other path for myself. I applied for the MFA program in production at USC, using my documentary “The Art of Reconciliation.” During my time at USC, I have had the opportunity to direct and produce over seven short films and write two feature films. My thesis documentary, “Danceable,” received the Directors Guild of America’s inaugural “Grand Prize” for Student Documentary, West Coast.

I graduate with my MFA in film production from USC in six weeks. The time has truly flown. I have started researching for my next documentary and hope to continue pitching my two feature scripts.

I pursued an artistic career because I couldn’t imagine doing anything else. I love the arts. I thrive when I’m creative. When I look back on my life, the times when I felt out of place or unsure were always times that I wasn’t allowing myself to be creative.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
As an artist, I’m interested in telling intimate stories that instill empathy in the viewer. I feel most at home in the documentary space, as I am passionate about the transformative power of truth-telling through art.

Stylistically, I’m drawn towards coming-of-age stories, particularly ones that authentically tackle “girlhood” and personal identity. I find “joy” in each of my films–I would love to make a film about happiness and inner peace. As a poet, I like to infuse poetry into every aspect of my films visually. I’m more moved by the theme than the genre. Since January, I have been working on a series of short fiction films, each centering around themes of family and friendship. My next short film is a comedy about two best friends who decide to make a murder mystery podcast…and then fall into a mystery themselves.

My USC thesis, “Danceable,” is an example of my poetic filmmaking style coming to life. Danceable follows three dancers with disabilities as they each find freedom through movement and later become dance instructors. Making this film was an absolute joy, and I feel fortunate to have worked with such an incredible crew and cast. I can honestly say that each of us on the team is friends–we felt like a little family by the end. As a director, collaboration is critical to me. I am not one of those directors who is “my way or the highway.” Part of my job as a director is to find the right people I can trust to tell this specific story.

I am honored to have been awarded the Directors Guild of America’s “Grand Prize” for student documentary filmmaking. My work has been featured at the Cleveland International Film Festival, Cucalorus Film Festival, New Jersey International Film Festival, and Dance Camera West.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
When my best friends visited me in LA from the East Coast, I knew that I had to take them to Griffith Park. Griffith is one of the most magical spots in the city, in my opinion.

A great hiking spot is Point Dume in Malibu. You can see whales from the cliffs! When life gets too stressful, surrounding yourself with nature is the best way to get out of your head and be present.

Recently, I’ve been spending a lot of time at the Doris Japanese Garden in the Kenneth Hahn State Park. It looks out over the city of LA, and the sunsets are immaculate.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’m very grateful to my “Danceable” Crew and Cast-Joe, Meg, Boson, Jordan, Emma, Vanessa, Eden, Christa, Lark, Janpi, and Marci. I could not have made my film without them and their support.

I’m very blessed to have such a supportive family-my parents and my sister-have always been my #1 supporters.

My boyfriend, Michael, has been with me through all the very stressful times.

Website: kelseymcgee.com

Instagram: @kels_mcgee

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelsey-mcgee-0506/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kelsey.mcgee.16

Image Credits
DGA