Meet Carolyn McDonald | Artreprenuer

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

Hi Carolyn, why did you pursue a creative career?
I’ve always been creative. I started shooting still photos when I was 7 years old. Then started writing. Studied film & screenwriting and got on the film industry career track for a couple of decades, as an executive and producer, before I finally came back to my first love of photography, and hands on filmmaking and directing.

I’ve been a part of other businesses (production companies), where I was given a lot of freedom to create and implement elements that were part of making the entity a success. Because a couple of the situations didn’t align with my value system, or standard of excellence, I decided it was ultimately time for me to be true to my vision, values and wide spectrum of creativity, and launch something for myself. Today’s technology lends itself to being able to share all our many talents with the world. This really is the age of the polymath.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
While creating is my greatest passion, what sets me a part from others is that because I so much time as a film executive, I can think like a buyer and a seller as an artist. Also, at a time when a lot of people practice or succumb to ‘ageism’, like James Brown, I “put a spin” on it, because I truly believe “I still got it, and a whole lot more of it”. This is true of everything in nature. And it baffles me that Western culture doesn’t understand this. We’ve been on the earth longer, have seen, learned and experienced more. However, Western culture has had this need to put older people out to pasture, when we are some of society’s greatest resources. There’s definitely a double standard though. Male rock stars are still kicking it at 80, but women artists in their 40s and 50s are getting scrutinized. So we just have to go out there show how our talents are of value to the world.

I’ve struggled a lot with depression and anxiety the last few years; and suffered a personal incident a few years ago that triggered a trauma in me that gutted my self esteem. So I’ve had to work really hard to heal from that. Therapy, meditation, prayer, reading a lot. I’ve hunkered down and done the work. Needless to say, it’s given me a whole lot of empathy for others. We don’t know what another has gone through. Has nothing to do with what they do, or what they have. Pain is pain. So I’ve learned to meet everybody (billionaire to homeless person) where they are as human first. And treat everyone with the same dignity they deserve by virtue of the fact they they’re breathing.

What I’d like the world to know about me as a storyteller (whether in photography, film, fiction or design) my intention is to give the world a ‘heart share experience’. Meaning, I want people to feel ‘some kinda way’ when they see something I create. The same way I feel my heart elevated or liberated when I hear Al Green, Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, or Ella Fitzgerald sing. Or Maya Angelou’s melodious words. Those notes and syllables touch my heart so deeply. Kinda alters my whole vibration, know what I mean? If I can make other people like that, my job on earth has been done. I’m definitely a ‘character-driven storyteller’, because whether in a still image, fiction or film, I like exploring the many complex layers of the human condition. What inspires, triggers or captivates people to set their hearts free — or not. How does it speak through their expressions, behavior, and words. The good, the bad, the ugly and everything in between.

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.
I might be kinda boring. When I’m not watching old movies & Twilight Zone re-runs, I don’t do too much.
Seriously though. I’m still friends with some friends from high school, who still live back in New York. So if they came to Long Beach or Southern California in general, I’d of course, take them to the beach to chill, watch the waves and the way different birds move and groove.

In Long Beach I like my friends’ Claire & Brandon Kim’s Sura Korean Barbecue; then strolling along Ocean Blvd by the Terrace Theatre Fountains, and then this new restaurant Gaucho Beach right down on the beach.

Up in LA, I love hiking in Will Rogers State Park & Santa Monica Canyon; then hiking Griffith Park up to The Observatory. Then lunch up in Malibu at Duke’s. If we wanted to do a longer day trip, I’d take them up to Santa Barbara to that ice cream shop on Stearns Wharf, and then shopping on State Street.

My favorite neighborhood in LA is Los Feliz. I love The Alcove cafe on Hillhurst.

Can’t forget downtown LA, the arts district, and the fashion district where I get materials for my art. Most people are in their cars in LA. So I try to go to neighborhoods where I can walk, see people, and absorb the cultures, rhythms and vibes. The most ‘touristy’ think I like is Universal Studios Citywalk, and the movie back lot tour.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Ironically, I just came back from the memorial service for Ed Bleier, who was the president of Warner Bros. Television in New York for decades. He was a visionary leader, who worked with legendary Warner Communications chairman Steve Ross. These guys were famous for hiring smart department heads and letting them run with things. Ed gave me my first job in the film industry when I was 21 in the advertising & publicity division of the company. He saw my passion for film, and as ‘a kid’ had a different perspective on things. So he let me create campaigns & implement things — which gave me a lot of confidence.

The present state of the film industry is perplexing for everyone. But hearing others speak about Ed, and remembering the time I spent at Warners so young, I left the memorial service feeling like I owed the world more, because I’d been given so much opportunity and wisdom (especially as a Black girl), at such a pivotal time in entertainment history.

Website: https://carolynmcdonald.com

Instagram: @createdbycarolyn

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolynmcdonald/

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