We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Monique Gill. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Monique below.
Hi Monique, thanks for joining us today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?
Oh man! One of the greatest risks I have taken was leaving education to pursue my nonprofit and independent filmmaking journey. Let me preface by saying it took me three years to secure a salaried position after graduating college and here I was walking away just to return to the wild west of uncertainty.
I graduated from Mississippi State University in 2013 with a double degree in Public Relations and Broadcasting, not education. It was only after countless hours of applying, rounds of interviews, and not being hired that I began to think maybe my pursuits into the film & entertainment world was a dead end. I had a real “come-to-Jesus” with myself. I decided that even if I don’t get to step into higher levels of the industry, “I have a wealth of experience and knowledge that I want to share with those coming up behind me.” Summer 2016, I began applying to education positions. With only my passion and experience, I began teaching middle school broadcasting and graphic design for sixth, seventh, and eighth grade.
I made it through my first year, was a keynote speaker, and even started an after school film club, but no matter the success I was finding, feelings of uncertain safety and administrative bullying became overwhelming. It was after witnessing a tenured teacher be punched unconscious that I decided “This environment isn’t working for me. If I continue to teach, I will do it my way.” That Spring, I declined my contract for the upcoming year. I didn’t know what would come of my decision, but I knew that for my health and well-being, I would not be returning.
Of course I was scared, but I remember the last week of school everyday walking in and out of school thinking “I have everything I need. Everything is working out for me.” And that’s exactly what is happening. If nothing else, take from my story that fortune favors the bold.
I am now the Chief Heart Officer of The Bluest Space Youth Film Program, Founder of Moknowsbest, accredited Director, Creative Producer, and Video Editor of the original documentary series, The Bluest Space; Creatives Defining Fine Art Spaces. The series is IMDB-qualified being nominated for Best Documentary Short Film in The London Indie Festival, Austin International Art Festival, Toronto Independent Film Festival of Cift, Atlanta Women’s Film Festival, and winning the Documentary Short Film Category at the AMSC “Bring Your Brilliance” Short Film Festival. I continue to work and develop on Film and Television projects as a 479 Union member with noted networks such as HBO, ABC, AMC, Apple TV+, and Amazon.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I am Monique Gill. I am the creator of The Bluest Space, Founder of Moknowsbest and Chief Heart Officer. I was introduced to film production at Stone Mountain, Georgia’s Stephenson High School after moving across the country and experiencing my parents’ divorce. Then, storytelling helped me develop a visual language to not only perceive the world, but give me the authority to create a new perspective of myself in it.
Not too long after graduating from Mississippi State University, I returned to Atlanta and began teaching middle school broadcasting and graphic design. I saw a lot of myself at that age in so many of my students. Witnessing first-hand the limited outlets for healthy creative expression for middle-school-aged students, I created The Bluest Space. The Bluest Space, the flagship program of Moknowsbest, is a youth film intensive program to eradicate negative emotions, express feelings, and uplift kids-which led to the founding of Moknowsbest, the filmmaking company. Our focus is to cultivate original programs, guided by the mission to support and encourage youth to exemplify emotional maturity and self awareness using film education and practice.
The Bluest Space Youth Film Intensive is a 6-session documentary film production course designed to mentor participants to express their emotions through filmmaking. This workshop serves as a platform to eliminate negative emotions, articulate feelings, and inspire students through a tailored filmmaking and mentorship program. The emphasis is on fostering self and collective empathy, reshaping the perception of their worth in society, and honing marketable skills.
I want readers to know that The Bluest Space is the reflection of me and my students’ real life experiences; lived, felt, and learned. What sets The Bluest Space apart is our passion to sculpt young minds and improve the lives of those who follow our footsteps. Our curriculum is created for middle school aged students and adaptable for high school, college and senior populations. I am most proud of creating a program that channels pain into power. God loves you and you do not have to do it alone. Despite the discomfort and unglamorous aspects of life, sharing our stories can touch hearts, spark reflection, and foster growth for both individuals and community alike.
How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?
The initial capital to fund the first session of The Bluest Space came from my own investments, until that was no longer feasible. The Film and Television industry experienced a pause in productions when the IATSE went on strike. This resulted in less industry opportunities for work. However, nothing was stopping me from hosting our Summer 2024 session.
So, we ran a fundraiser to sponsor our youth filmmaking kits. We raised $4,070 in one-time and in-kind donations to jumpstart the Bluest Space Youth Film Intensive. We finished with a virtual film screening to highlight our youth filmmakers and showcase their finished short-film.
Do you have multiple revenue streams – if so, can you talk to us about those streams and how you developed them?
Yes, our additional revenue streams include our education programs, original films, and video/photo packages. We currently have a $333 promotional marketing package available for health and wellness speakers, teachers, and product manufacturers.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.moknowsbest.net/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moknowsbest.atl/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Moknowsbest.ATL
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/moknowsbest-inc/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRQB_ShWeFzTnFWZ3DZQ3gA
Image Credits
Photo Credit to Glenn Callwood