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

Hi Charles, what’s something about your industry that outsiders are probably unaware of?
I think one of the biggest misnomers of our industry is that accessibility equates to ease. Everyone has access to the tools needed to become a filmmaker, but getting great at it takes a lot of time. It’s taken me a decade to get good at this thing. A lot of people ask me to teach them things with the expectation of having the same result I get with a fraction of the time and that’s just not how it works. Experience builds fluency and consistency.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I think the thing that sets me apart form others is that I’m constantly searching for the “why” in a situation. Why is a character/subject in this moment? Why does the camera need to go in this position? Why does the light come from this direction? I run through a bunch of questions in my head before I decide to do anything creatively. I feel like when I have the space to do this, I’m able to create my most honest stuff. It took a long time to get here. I used to just kind of point the camera and do whatever looked “sweet”, but that’s boring to me. There’s nothing personal about that..anyone can make something that looks sweet. It wasn’t easy to get to that place. A lot of it ties directly to me finding who I really am, what I want to say with my art and refining what my tastes are. That takes time and intentionality. One of the most important lessons I’ve learned along the way is that I’m responsible for every frame I create so don’t take that responsibility for granted. Once I pass on, my work will live on, what kind of life do I want my work to lead once I’m gone? I want people to know that my brand/story is centered around the work. It took work to get to where I’m at and to where I’m going. Nothing was handed to me, everything was earned through work.

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.
Aw man there’s a bunch of spots to hit up here. I think first catching some live event is necessary. Whether its a game, concert or something like jazz festival in Hart plaza. I’ve got real eclectic taste so I’d even recommend catching something at Detroit Opera House or the Detroit Symphony Opera. There’s hella food spots to hit up too: Slows bbq, Bucharest, Pie Sci Pizza, def have to hit up El Rey’s in southwest. MooreSoul Food, Joe Louis Southern Kitchen. I could go for days. Must hit the DIA if you’re coming to Detroit. If you want to just chill, hit up the Riverwalk, Campus Martius, Belle Isle. It’s a lot to do and check out even outside of the city.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Man, there’s a lot of people to shoutout. It takes a village for sure. Definitely got to shoutout my wife for always supporting my crazy dream, the long work hours and unpredictable schedule all while working herself and raising our beautiful son. My brother Zach for always pushing me to be great and being my voice of reason and just being an all around good dude. I don’t take that for granted. My therapist, Cliff has to get a shoutout, too. Without his counsel over the years, I don’t know where I’d be honestly. All of my consistent collaborators and friends I’ve made over the years that have become like family to me. There’s too many to name, but if you’re reading this, you know who you are.

Website: www.charleskennedyjr.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/ckennedyjr

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ckennedyjr

Other: https://vimeo.com/user5622511

Image Credits
Thomas Pawlowski Tony X

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