We recently connected with Alanna LeBlanc and have shared our conversation below.

Alanna, appreciate you joining us today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

So when I was young, I always felt like I was gonna be an artist. In what capacity is just what I didn’t know yet. I remember being bright eyed watching Britney Spears, Hannah Montana, The Cheetah Girls, The Jonas Brothers and other pop stars of the likes thinking that was it for me. I even spent tons of time writing popped up love songs, like I knew what any of that was about at the ripe age of 6. I also spent a lot of time writing short stories and even plays when I was younger. I had even casted it on the playground, but the attention span was not there for the cast, which is okay, being as we were 9. If I were to find those screenplays today, I don’t know if I’d cringe in embarrassment or be proud…probably both. I think it was a Little Mermaid rip-off; something off-Broadway for sure. Basically, I spent all my time growing up creating in some way. I was always drawing, painting, writing, building, singing…it’s really the only way I know how to live life, to create.

As for high school and college me, I had become a portrait photographer at this time. I started freelancing in high school and carried it on over to college. I was studying studio art and had actually JUST declared my Bachelor’s of Fine Arts in Photography when the major I graduated with had come around. I felt foolish to do it, but I was like, “Oh I think I’m changing my major.” I was actually about to be done with my Photography major anytime now, but I felt a strong pull towards what I graduated with. So I changed my major to (bare with me it’s long), A Bachelor’s in Interdisciplinary Studies with a Pathway of FIlm and concentrations of Screen Writing and Lens-based Media. I moved my major to my minor, was able to use my previously taken major classes for my new major, took some summer classes, and ended up being able to finish my degree in 3 years instead of 4. Do not be fooled, there was a lot of crying and long nights involved in this process, but it all turned out okay.

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

I was on track to do my internship in the Georgia Film Academy in 2020, but it was 2020, so I ended up taking an AVID MC 100 & 101 class to fill my required 18 hours up for the program. All the while, I was patiently awaiting for when things would open back up to be able to do the internship. I graduated college in the fall of 2020 and built a blanket fort with my roommate to commemorate it; like true adults. After, I eagerly awaited for when the program would open back up. For those who are unsure, the GFA internship program places you on a film production and you do a work-based learning course for 20 days. The goal is to be so good at your job while you’re there that they want to keep you on. So, after I was able to enroll again in 2021, I submitted my resume to many productions, many. I was getting antsy and foolishly thought that I’d never get placed, until Moonshine Post Production came along. They had announced that they were looking for interns and I thought to myself, “Well I did just fight tooth and nail for this AVID certification, might as well.” So, I submitted and was picked up as their intern. At this point, I hadn’t given much thought to fully pursuing post production. It was a thing I did for church production teams and class projects throughout my life, but I wasn’t really set out on it. So, I work the 20 days, they decide they like me around and want me to stay. I stay, learn way more about tech and the online editing process than I ever thought I’d know, and then I assistant edit on a Netflix show. Not bad for just graduating college. I work at Moonshine for a little more, but as all contracts do, mine eventually ended. It was bittersweet, I loved it there, but I also know I couldn’t stay there forever.

So, that’s how I got into my part of the industry. I know it’s been summed up nicely, but please know that it was a lot of hard work and even a few tears that went into every step of the process. I did a lot of lunch and coffee runs for the office before I became an ae. I actually worked so hard that I really needed a break after it. I’d like to advise that resting and taking time is just as important as working and “being productive”. It’s hard to give your all to a job when there’s not a lot of you left to give. If you can, take a break honey. I eventually started applying again and ended up at A+E Networks as an Assistant Editor, which is where I still am. I worked a swing shift for a bit, which is 3pm to 1am…I know. But, during the odd hours I had in the morning and early evening, I started producing some original music with my friend Jordan, who goes by Prairies in the music world. Creating my e.p was such rewarding experience. I was able to be pushed musically as well as figure out exactly what I want when it comes to production. The e.p released Oct. 14th. If anyone wants to listen, search Funny Girl by Faye.

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

I think the most rewarding thing is being able to actualize a concept and then see others receive and perceive it. Like with the music I just released, I know what place that came from, I know it very well. Now that it’s out there though, people will relate to it with their own perspectives and emotions. That’s rewarding that we get to have this collective experience in a way.

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

I come up with lots of different things throughout the day, but what drives me is how strongly I feel like a specific story or song needs to be shared with others.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: instagram.com/alannaleblanc
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/alanna-leblanc
• Other: music insta: instagram.com/fayesingsthings

Image Credits
Lawrson Pinson, Quianna LeBlanc