Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Crystal Elaine Hilton. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Crystal Elaine, appreciate you joining us today. I’m sure there have been days where the challenges of being an artist or creative force you to think about what it would be like to just have a regular job. When’s the last time you felt that way? Did you have any insights from the experience?

In my teens, I jumped into the service industry, thinking a steady paycheck would bring me some peace of mind. At first, it was exhilarating. I was finally making money and felt like an adult. But after a few months, the reality set in. The repetitive tasks drained my energy and creativity. I felt like a cog in a machine, powerless and overworked, longing for the freedom to express myself. No matter how much I earned, it never felt like enough; the joy I sought was absent, buried under the monotony of everyday tasks.

Each time I quit, I would take a step back, using that space to heal and reset. I found comfort in the downtime—time to socialize, explore my passions, and live without the constraints of a conventional job. But that cycle would inevitably repeat. I’d find another position, convinced it would be different, only to feel that same creeping dissatisfaction returning. It was a pattern I couldn’t escape, and I started to wonder if it was worth it.

It was during one of those resets that I had a breakthrough. I realized that true satisfaction wasn’t found in the security of a paycheck but in pursuing what genuinely brought me joy, even if it meant facing frustration and uncertainty. So, I embraced my journey, messy as it may be. I learned that the process of creation itself, with all its highs and lows, is what fulfills me.

Being an indie filmmaker (for me) means diving headfirst into projects, often without a safety net. That’s where I find my passion, in the chaos and the challenge. It is about balance and maybe one day I’ll find it, but for now I’m all or nothing.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My name is Crystal Elaine Hilton and I am a black woman born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, and my journey in the arts began at a young age. From dance to poetry, acting to stepping, I’ve always used creative expression as a way to channel my energy and passions. The arts became my bridge to the world, allowing me to connect my inner thoughts and emotions with others.

As I grew older, I faced the pressure to choose one path, but I found my true calling in film—a medium that beautifully merges all my interests. While my ultimate goal is to be a writer and director of my own projects, I find immense fulfillment in helping others bring their visions to life. Whether acting as a creative producer, creative director, or 1st assistant director on various sets, I am dedicated to supporting fellow creators in their journeys.

Initially, Brooklyn Wannabes was all about interacting with strangers and making friends, and I hope to carry that spirit into my production company. My mission is to demystify the process of transforming an idea into a finished product you can be proud of. I offer a comprehensive range of services that includes script formatting, developing your story, casting actors, assembling a talented crew, securing locations, scheduling, budgeting, video editing, and gaining post-production support.

I strive to create a safe and nurturing environment where you feel comfortable sharing your project—your “baby”—with me. Together, we can explore its potential and nurture its growth. I pride myself on being all about you, working with what you have to enhance and elevate your vision.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

This is a lesson I am continuing to unlearn, and I’m pretty sure every artist has faced it at some point in their career: believing in yourself. It’s about believing when it feels like no one else does. Often, I go through stages where I ask myself, “Why would anyone give me a job?” It’s truly because I feel like I need exposure to prove my worth. This feeling is exacerbated by an industry that is based on experience and connections.

You can be incredibly talented, full of ideas and drive, but if you can’t get into the right rooms with the right people, it often feels pointless. So, you have to believe that your ideas are amazing, that you are capable, and that what you’re doing means something—even if it only means something to you. I am unlearning the doubt that comes with being told “no,” and it helps to have friends and family who support me.

Every once in a while, I hear about conversations I wasn’t part of—people praising me, encouraging me, looking up to me, and referring me. It makes me realize that others feel the impact of what I’m trying to do, whether or not they voice it to me. Which I wish they did more often. When it’s spoken, it’s real; it’s tangible. It means more and helps push me to keep going, to believe that I can do anything—and I will.

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

My goal is to create stories bigger than myself, with the people I love, about the people I love, and for the people I love. I want to reach those who look like me, those who don’t know me, and the past Crystal who could only dream of this. I want to be able to do what I love without worrying about whether it will directly put money in my pocket—the freedom to make movies for the art of it. Every step I take from now on is toward that destination, and after that, I’m not sure what I would want.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.crystalelainehilton.com/brooklyn-wannabes
• Instagram: @crash.box and @brooklynwannabesinc
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@hanihilton3295

Image Credits

Will Warner; Santiago Garcia; Chrystal Campbell; Samantha Louis; Shelbi Maron; Raissatou Karim; Zachary Adam Brown