We caught up with the brilliant and insightful A.K. McIntosh a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi A.K., thanks for joining us today. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?
Learning to craft complex characters in simple ways is the first and most valuable tenet of serious creative writing.
I had initially learned this from various screenwriting books I bought with my limited summer job budget. Then, I had attended a three-week filmmaking intensive to implement these notions and came out prouder than anything I accomplished in years before.
One step closer to achieving the future of collaboration and chaos, I had taken an online course during senior year of high school, hoping to endear myself to the colleges of my choice. Lastly, I had selected The Los Angeles Film School to cap off the tumultuous first stage of my lifelong journey toward unfettered self-expression.
Knowing how I conducted myself and others themselves in those situations, I simply wish I had discovered and, thus, dedicated myself to my passions sooner. I faced many a critique during my collegiate tenure from classmates regarding my lack of confidence, who had believed themselves to be better at our chosen industry simply because they were more outgoing and “film bro-y”.
Had I started sooner, I would’ve had the unbreakable argument that I possessed more years fostering a genuine love for my practice outside of any competitive ostentations. Maybe then I would’ve allowed myself to step forward more often and add even more projects under my belt.
(My professors adored me and often urged me to do exactly that, which felt so validating.)
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
While primarily a writer, the need to be aware of everything all at once in a sort of disordered accordance is why I gravitate toward leadership roles such as Director or First Assistant Director when on a film set. I also tend to thrive in circumstances where I’m allowed to be self-reliant. As a result, being a Script Supervisor also became a love of mine. That being said I learned that my place wasn’t always meant to be on the production set. It’s meant for the moments before and after the filming. So often we forget or just ignore behind-the-scenes work that fine tunes the most exciting part of filmmaking that everyone stumbles towards when they first discover the industry.
My greatest gift is storytelling. I write television and feature-length scripts. I write audio plays and novels. Anything to be put on paper holds a piece of my heart.
It’s why I’m currently working on starting an affordable proofreading and formatting business named Uncreative Lines Publishing, a safe haven for novices and experienced writers alike who crave for someone who genuinely cares about the story they have to tell and won’t just pass them off to a nameless assessor.
It’s why I created Velour Audio Artistry following a brief dip of my feet into sound design on one short film, made it my entire personality for half a year, and never really turned it off. Audio on all platforms deserves to shine as its own behemoth of an industry. So, from voiceover artists needing affordable demo reels to filmmakers needing an innovative soundscape to bring their project alive. I want to help creators craft the perfect ear worms that keep pulling their audiences back for more.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
I’ll be honest, when I look at the world, I see gray. However, delving into a unique storyworld, be it fantastical or direct reflective of reality, counteracts the murkiness. I tend to be a harsh nihilist on the best days but all that disappears when I can decompress by stepping into something different at a moment’s notice.
What also helps this sinking feeling is remembering this: “If you have something to offer, someone out there is waiting to find you. Whether it’s a week or a decade, you will be found and will have made their life better for simply existing.”
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
Like stated previously, I pivoted from an my position on physical set experiences to an obsession with pre- and post-production endeavors.
The shift could be attributed to multiple factors. Though, I believe my strongest reason is the acceptance of my long-rejected autism diagnosis. I had taken what the universe allotted and elected to pursue a means of creativity that allowed me to keep a lock on my mental health all the while. Self-efficiency is the key to maintaining my beloved career and sanity.
Without the baggage of anyone else’s expectations, I flourish. I chose to offer myself to the under-appreciated jobs of the creative process because I knew I wasn’t interested in the unforgiving competition to climb the ladder.
It’s not embarrassing to recognize you have different calling. Every path you travelled before had been integral in bringing to your true calling. You didn’t miss out on anything. You are right where you need to be when you need to be there. And if this pivot leads to another pivot, then I’m glad you trust yourself enough to listen.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: aaveloura
- Youtube: aaveloura
- Other: [email protected]
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