We were lucky to catch up with Julia Shikhman recently and have shared our conversation below.

Julia, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

I’m a first-generation American who had the privilege of growing up in a small, tight-knit town in Connecticut. It’s the kind of place where running into people from high school at the grocery store is a regular occurrence, and the number of pizza joints seems absurdly high for its size. Although I have always been creative, coming from that kind of environment, the idea of pursuing an artistic career in a place like Los Angeles never felt like a real possibility.

When it came time for college, I wasn’t sure where I was headed, but majoring in Communication at the University of Connecticut felt like a good place to start. It wasn’t long before I found myself at UConn Television, the campus film production club, where I quickly fell in love with the craft. Because of the lack of film major at UConn at the time and limited resources, I was entirely taught by my talented upperclassmen friends. There was a steep learning curve, but I was determined to soak it all in. By the end of my sophomore year, I had accomplished all my goals within the club, and was hungry for more opportunities to learn and improve. It was scary having an honest conversation with my dad about how else I could grow, and whether getting a Communication degree from UConn was the right choice if I wanted to pursue a career in LA. Although I was so incredibly grateful for my time at UConn and found a true home there, I knew I had to let it go in order to focus on something I loved more than anything else: film and entertainment.

I decided to take a leap of faith and applied to the University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts. I was hoping this would be ticket to a formal and more extensive film education, new types of opportunities and challenges, industry connections, and of course, the push I needed to make the move across the country on my own. To my excitement and surprise, I was accepted. That acceptance was the catalyst to step out of my comfort zone and fully embrace the new path ahead, although I obviously had no idea where it would lead.

It’s been a few years since I moved away from my friends and family in cozy New England to the bright lights and palm trees of LA. It’s been quite a challenging but fulfilling adventure that I’m still living and working through every day, but I’m so grateful for the people I’ve met along the way and the amazing projects I’ve gotten to work on! Although it was scary letting go of everything I knew, it was definitely worth it.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Between college and making the move to LA, I’ve gotten the opportunity to work on countless films, music videos, and commercials, where I immersed myself in nearly every department on set. This hands-on experience has given me a deep, well-rounded understanding of how production truly functions. I started out focused on cinematography, then explored production design, and even tried my hand at producing. I’ve also been lucky enough to work in both the traditional film industry, as well as the music and touring side. Eventually, I discovered that creative direction was where my true passion lay. It felt like the perfect intersection of all my interests and experiences, combining every element I loved into one dynamic role. I’ve especially been enjoying working with artists on the visual language and themes of their projects, making sure the album art, music videos, and marketing are all cohesive and clearly tell an authentic story. I’m still learning and growing everyday, but I hope to always be creating compelling and meaningful visuals.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

To me, the most rewarding part is making a project “a house into a home” if that makes sense. Once the logistics are laid out, it’s all about adding the layers and details that take both the visuals and emotions to the next level and hopefully have an effect on the audience. It’s wild seeing how a few initial ideas become a full fledged production that is eventually put out. There is no better feeling than a client being excited about something you made together, knowing it not only reflects their story but amplifies it in a way that feels even more personal and impactful. And of course, inevitably throughout the process, no matter the project, a bond is always made between the wonderful creative people working on it, as well as the people watching it, and that is super cool and makes everything even more special and fun.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

I think the main thing driving me, like many creatives, is to have my work serve as a form of connection. One of the things I love most about being a creator and consumer of art is the way a piece can resonate with you through its authenticity. There are moments when you watch, listen, or look at something, and you can immediately sense that the creator is drawing from something deeply personal. That authenticity speaks to you in a way that feels familiar, probably because it reflects a part of your own experience. It lingers with you because it connects on a human level, even though the artist and the viewer may never meet. My goal is that those who engage with my work feel that same connection—that what I create is honest, vulnerable, and, in some way, shared. I hope that feeling of being seen can be healing or inspiring too.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.juliashikhman.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juliashikhman/

Image Credits

Jacob Rodier, Don Terell, Cat Boyce