We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful ETERNALS. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with ETERNALS below.

Alright, ETERNALS thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Naming anything – including a business – is so hard. Right? What’s the story behind how you came up with the name of your brand?

Nikki: Well thats a really cute story actually! The name “Eternal Film Productions” or our duo name “ETERNALS” comes from our undying love for storytelling as well as the love we share together. As you may know, along with being business partners and creative partners we are also significant others.

ETERNALS, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Alexander: So, Nikki and I started creating together forever ago- at least it feels like forever ago at this point, like I can’t even really remember a time where we weren’t making something. We have always really had an affinity for the same things, including each other, and it so easily segued into a working and loving relationship. Nikki is like the opposite hemisphere of my brain – we have similar vision but attention to different details. I think we complement each other well. I think our real stand out quality is our togetherness, shared vision and team work. I think it’s really tough in life to find someone that you just instantly click and work well with, but that’s what I found in her. I think so much of what we make is so obviously from us – you know what I mean? Like some people create works, even amazing works, but it doesn’t really portray their soul – but when Nikki and I create it genuinely feels like we are giving life to something? It doesn’t matter if its a narrative film, music video, commercial – it all comes from a place of honesty that we share and I think that’s really special.

Nikki: Well, thats a hard act to follow. But yeah, as Alexander said, as creatives, we really are two minds that work together as one. As ETERNALS; we direct together, produce together, shoot together, write together, create together, etc. I’ve always found it difficult to label myself as an artist and the same goes for our duo dynamic. Neither of us have ever been able to fit in one box (nor would we ever want to). It may sound a bit cheesy – but i do feel like we were made to create and to create art together.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

Nikki: I mean, the first thing that comes to mind is unconventional. For example: creatives work on completely different schedules than the average person. Some people (like myself) feel more creatively inspired at night. So maybe your “working hours” may be 7pm-2am if your editing. Or if you’re working on multiple films, they may have different call times/hours etc. Maybe on your “day off” (which i say that sarcastically since an artists work is never done) you take some online courses to further your craft. Work life balance is something most creatives struggle with since our work is also our passion. When people may ask “what do you do for fun” and the answer is …well work .. that may seem a bit strange to someone who works at a call center. At the end of the day, everyone views success differently. (creative or non creative) – but specifically an artists lifestyle may seem strange to some – but ultimately what matters is that you love what you do and keep doing it because it fills your soul.

Alexander: I think a lot of people obviously know that any creative industry is difficult to be successful in. A part they might not know is how much of a lifestyle it is. It’s a lot of work consistently looking for more work, building your craft – it requires you to be on call almost 24/7 work crazy hours, sometimes not be home for days. To be successful in this industry demands a lot – you have to eat and breathe what you make. With that being said, I think a lot of people vastly underestimate how small these industries are. Everyone knows everyone, it’s almost like the industry moves in concentric circles. If you are truly passionate and work tirelessly on what you do you can find success.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

Alexander: Oh man, making something- writing it and seeing the final product come together – it’s the world’s best drug. There Is honestly no rush and positive feeling better than getting a green light and getting to make something you love. How cool is that? It’s the ultimate form of validation.

Nikki: Yeah I mean, can i say all of it?! That moment after you’ve finished a script or the final edit of a film, like, YOU MADE THAT! It’s an indescribable feeling. Also the therapeutic aspect of it all is uncanny. Along with the impact you can have on others with the art that you made is such a humbling and rewarding feeling.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://www.eternals.beauty
• Instagram: @eternalfilmproductions @punk_dp @nikkicarmela
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Eternalfilmproductions

Image Credits

All Images and stills by ETERNALS (Alexander Thomas & Nikki Carmela)
Headshot by Ryan Bussard