Meet Whitney Skauge | Director, Editor, Doc Consultant

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

Hi Whitney, how do you think about risk?
Risk is a very interesting thing for an artist. Historically I’ve been very afraid of risk. The uncertainty and fear have caused so much anxiety in thinking about taking a leap of faith in myself as an artist and putting myself out there. But I’ve had to learn how to push myself past this initial fear in order to keep growing and moving creatively.

The biggest risk I’ve taken, which has yielded such a beautiful life, is moving to Los Angeles from Montana in 2016. I was a senior in college, and I knew I wanted to live in Los Angeles for the culture. I also knew that’s where I needed to be to pursue a career in filmmaking. I spent so many nights staring up at my ceiling, wondering if this was a good idea, wondering if I’d “make it.” Finally, once I graduated from the University of Montana with my B.F.A in Digitial Filmmaking, I got enough positive reinforcement from my community that I should move. That was in May 2016, and by August 2016, I packed up my car, started driving, and have truly not second-guessed my decision since.

For me, it’s less about risk and more about trusting that what is meant for me will not pass me by. If I don’t get an opportunity, it wasn’t meant for me. If I don’t get to pursue a certain story, it wasn’t mine to tell. I really, really have to trust the universe as my guide and myself as an artist. It’s essential for my sanity.

Risk is a very interesting thing for an artist. Historically I’ve been very afraid of risk. The uncertainty and fear have caused so much anxiety in thinking about taking a leap of faith in myself as an artist and putting myself out there. But I’ve had to learn how to push myself past this initial fear in order to keep growing and moving creatively.

The biggest risk I’ve taken, which has yielded such a beautiful life, is moving to Los Angeles from Montana in 2016. I was a senior in college, and I knew I wanted to live in Los Angeles for the culture. I also knew that’s where I needed to be to pursue a career in filmmaking. I spent so many nights staring up at my ceiling, wondering if this was a good idea, wondering if I’d “make it.” Finally, once I graduated from the University of Montana with my B.F.A in Digitial Filmmaking, I got enough positive reinforcement from my community that I should move. That was in May 2016, and by August 2016, I packed up my car, started driving, and have truly not second-guessed my decision since.

For me, it’s less about risk and more about trusting that what is meant for me will not pass me by. If I don’t get an opportunity, it wasn’t meant for me. If I don’t get to pursue a certain story, it wasn’t mine to tell. I really, really have to trust the universe as my guide and myself as an artist. It’s essential for my sanity.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?

My film work is centered around exploring universal truths through the perspective of historically excluded people mixed in with a high-pop aesthetic.

As a filmmaker, I’m most interested in how film can be a mirror of society, but a more accurate mirror than it has historically been used. I want people who watch my films to either say, “wow, that’s me, and I’ve never seen me on screen,” or say, “wow, that’s an experience I know nothing about personally, but I understand the world a bit more now.” For me, it’s all about connecting the dots of this crazy world to help make it a bit easier to exist in it.

Looking back on it, I would say this all stems from my feelings of being a wallflower growing up, being a very timid and shy person. I struggled a lot internally and had a very challenging time externally growing up Black and queer. However, as an adult now reflecting on it, I think those things are the superpowers that have allowed me to be extremely observant and sensitive to the world. I used to think this was something that would destroy me, but now I know it’s the one thing that’s kept me going both as an artist and just as a person.

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?

Some rad places in Los Angeles to check out are:

– Crenshaw Dairy Mart
– Bloom and Plume
– Bay Cities
– Tom’s One-Hour Photo

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?

There are so many people who have helped me get to where I am today, it’s a bit overwhelming. My friends, my siblings, my mentors, my competitors, my heroes. Everyone has played a critical role in my journey. Someone who is no longer here but deserves all my gratitude and love in the world is definitely my grandma.

She was my number-one fan from the start. She helped me get through college. She helped me get my first editing system and cameras together. Without her support, I literally would not have been able to learn how to be the artist that I am today. She was really special and never doubted me, not for a second.

Website: www.whitneyskauge.com

Instagram: @whitneyskauge

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/whitney-skauge/

Image Credits
The first image I uploaded should credit Tom’s One Hour Photo