Meet Rianne Pyle | Director, Producer

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

Hi Rianne, career-wise, where do you want to be in the end?
Starting out in a film, I was very aimless in my pursuit of a career in this industry. I wavered and explored every job option in film while at the School of Visual Arts – after all that’s what film school is for! Over my years and many classes, I came to discover my love for documentary filmmaking. I knew I wanted to direct documentary films from the communities that inhabit – helping to ensure that stories from and about my community had a perspective and understanding that has been so often lost for far too long. I want younger generations to one day watch my work and what I do and say “That’s me. That’s my community. I can do this too.” I hope that in five year years from now I’m the director I want to be but if not at least further along on the path to be there.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Through these life experiences, as a female filmmaker of color, I have a particular lens through which I engage and tell stories in an effort to increase and encourage diverse stories to be told on the big screen. I believe it is important now more than ever to tell the stories of marginalized and under-represented communities to inspire other youth of color to be the change they want to see in their communities. I spent my formative high school years heavily inspired by a fellow peer, currently a climate change activist, on his defiance of the status quo. He found his voice to advocate for a cause that meant the world to him. In this similar fashion, I have found my voice as a documentarian to highlight these valiant efforts to right the wrongs of history and pave the way for future generations.
When I started in college, I really hit the ground running in my career through internships, freelance gigs, and expansion of my network. While pursuing and developing my documentary skills, I also worked on narrative shorts and music videos to expand my knowledge. I’ve been working on music videos since I was nineteen as an AD/ Production management. These videos have garnered over 6 million videos collectively and have premiered on BET Jams and Lyrical Lemonade.
Anything you want to achieve is hard work. It’s waking up everyday and applying yourself to your craft whether it’s writing a new draft of that screen play, shooting a short doc outside or resting preparing you for the next adventure. All of these elements play a huge role in reaching your end goal but I think it’s important to remember that your journey is unique. You can’t compare yourself to anyone else’s path and you’ll get to where you need and are meant to be. Truly trust the process!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
New York is such an eccentric place with a myriad of different cultures to explore! I would start the day with a walk along the Highline which gives great, floral views of the city above ground from Greenwich to Chelsea.
Then, I would have us take a visit at the Vessel in Hudson Yards and eat at one of the amazing restaurants in the mall.
By the time, the evening rolled around I would love to take then to a Broadway play using Todaytix to get great priced last minute tickets.
The next day I would definitely check out one of the fun interactive activities in the area – either mini golf on Chelsea pier or a museum such as the Whitney or the Museum of ice cream.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to dedicate my shoutout to my mother – who is not only my biggest inspiration and supporter but pushed into filmmaking from the start. She saw my interest and talent in art and propelled me toward that. My senior of high school I wanted to either be a forensic anthropologist or a medical examiner until my mom enrolled me in a pre-college film program at SVA. Within my first class, I fell in love with the industry and all the possibilities to be creative which I didn’t know even know I wanted.

Website: riannepyle.com

Instagram: ri_pyle

Linkedin: Rianne Pyle