Meet Ximena Davis

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

Hi Ximena, why did you pursue a creative career?
I think I always knew I was going to be a creative. Ever since I was a kid, storytelling was a big part of who I was. Growing up without a TV, I had to come up with my own stories which led to me spending a lot of time writing. It started as plays and short stories, which eventually evolved into script writing. This love of storytelling also led to me becoming involved in theater at age eleven, where I acted, worked crew, and directed. I have always had a love of performing and writing and while other passions fueled me, I couldn’t see myself doing anything else. While I spent my liberal arts education dabbling in anthropology and sociology, history, and environmental science, nothing made as much sense as telling stories which is why I eventually majored in English and continued my filmmaking education at USC’s School of Cinematic Arts. Being creative is an intrinsic part of who I am so being a filmmaker feels like the most natural thing in the world.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Coming from a smaller town, I found a large creative outlet in theater and writing. However, it was hard to make the leap into film as I didn’t have any peers growing up passionate about making movies in that way. There also were not a lot of film opportunities so I mostly relied on doing things on my own. In college, I was able to find those peers, but I was definitely the odd one out at times growing up. For me, never giving up, even when you’re the only person following unconventional path, was so important to get me to where I am today.

I also bounced around to several places as a kid and often felt on the outside of a lot of social circles. As someone very open about my love of writing and movies and other nerdy things, I was ridiculed at times but learned to stay true to myself, no matter what. Even if it seems “cringe” to like this more than normal, it was that love of my favorite stories that helped keep me passionate throughout my childhood. I credit that love and passion for make-believe that helped foster my creativity and give me the courage to eventually follow my dreams.

Because of this, I’m drawn to stories about misfits and finding your people along life’s journey. Stories set in fantastical places or other worlds were huge escapes for me as a kid as I often felt different and left out, so many of my stories weave fantasy and science fiction into more universal themes like identity and loss.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Los Angeles is such a wonderfully kooky place that there’s truly something for everyone. As a new transplant, there are still so many places still to explore. However, a typical weekend might include lunch at the Grand Central Market or Jackson Market and dinner at The Butcher’s Daughter, driving down the PCH and stopping at Venice to watch the skateboarders, visiting filming locations of some favorite movies like La La Land, and walking around the iconic Griffith Observatory. Also, finding thrifted books at a Good Used Book, hiking at the Malibu Creek State Park, and picnicking at Echo Park. Perhaps finishing off the weekend with a screening at the New Bev or Egyptian and grabbing a quick ice cream at Salt & Straw. LAs truly got a little bit of everything!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
So many people have helped shape me into the creative person I am today. I would be remiss if I didn’t mention my parents, who dedicated time to read to me as a kid and let me indulge in my fantasies of playing pretend both on-stage and off. When I put on my original plays for the neighborhood that I wrote, directed, and starred in, they made sure to be in the audience and help me find props and costumes at Goodwill. They didn’t scoff at my dream of being a filmmaker and have supported me in more ways than I can count.

Also, the person who took the chance on me by letting me learn the ropes on my first film set, Keith Alan Morris and my film teachers in college, Danny Kim, Dr. Babli Sinha, Jaakan Page-Wood, Midge Costin, Donna Roth, Tony Jonas, Susan Arnold, and so many others at both USC and Kalamazoo College who supported my dreams and encouraged my art. I would not be here today without them.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ximenamichelledavis?igsh=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ximena-davis/

Image Credits
NewFilmmakers Los Angeles, Various