Meet Shania Banton | Filmmaker

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

Hi Shania, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
At first, I had a good grip on work life balance because the only projects I was working on were ones that I would create. Overtime when I started finding in participating in my community which is filmmaking, I lost that work life balance because I was working on other peoples projects so the work was it one that I could schedule myself because I was dedicating my time to others. The live portion of it was me dedicating my life time to my own projects so it still felt like work. I think it’s important to find a good work life balance so that you can stay creative and be in the right mind state to be creative. it’s normal for the balance to change over time because work changes over time and if you’re passionate about the work that you do you’re willing to give up a little bit of life for it. But it’s just as important to make sure that after that period of time were you gave up a little bit more of that life that you gain that back and take care of yourself.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am an independent filmmaker and what sets me apart from others is how much and how far I’ve come at my age as well as my ability to affectively put things in motion with little resources. I’m most proud of the projects that I’ve done this year so far I’ve completed 4 amazing projects in 4 months.

I got where I am today by being fearless and believing in what was revealing itself to me. It wasn’t easy because I sacrificed a lot and I had to remember that it isn’t necessarily a sacrifice because this is my path, it’s meant for me.

I’ve learned that things are never going to be exactly how you want it, so finding positive faith in what is now will go so far. I recently had to remind myself to walk in faith and not fear. The older I get the more fearful I get because I feel like I’m racing time. But my time will come when it is meant for me, and there’s still many lessons that I need to learn. I want the world to know that it’s OK for every piece not to be where you placed it, the only person who is creating this path is God, and it is our job to walk along the path and trust him. That’s my brand, walk in faith not fear because this filmmaking journey is not easy.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’m a very chill person, so what’s exciting to me is finding a relaxer first, then finding a calm location where there’s not many people but just enough people to watch and stay entertained. There would be frozen drinks in a cooler, close to the waves perhaps, and sandwiches for sure.

We spend hours doing that, and then as the sun sets we’d link with more people and find an indoor vibe with the view of the outdoors.

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?
I want to shout out black women filmakers. My entire career majority of it was surrounded by men of all races and it made it hard for me to feel accepted and made it hard for me to feel confident because they never really realize how demeaning they are to women in their craft. When I found my community of black women filmmakers, I then was able to see myself prosper more than I have in my entire career and thats due to the confidence, the help, the work ethic, the creativity and more that I received from working with and being around more black women filmmakers.

Website: https://www.justshania.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shaniabanton_/?hl=en

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shania-banton-a319a998

Twitter: https://twitter.com/justshaniab?lang=en

Youtube: https://m.youtube.com/channel/UC3jTUjInEFLkQoDEsKd136Q