We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Cyan Shreve a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Cyan, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

The most meaningful project I’ve worked on so far is called, “Sincerely, Jonah.” It is about a father recently diagnosed with a terminal illness who grapples with giving up on life or fighting for his daughter. This story means a great deal to me because my father has gone through a lot to be there for me and his presence has made all the difference in my life. To me, it is disheartening to see that the predominant narrative of black men in media is that they are not present as fathers in their children’s life. With this film, my goal was to provide an alternative perspective of Black fathers by showing their resilience, courage and unwavering love.

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

I was 8 years old when I discovered my passion for filmmaking. I had just seen James Cameron’s “Avatar” and was in awe of the world-building and motion capture process behind the scenes. It was the first time I realized that one could merge multiple art forms into one medium. So, I started making short films with my cousins shortly thereafter, acting, writing and designing scores/sound beds in GarageBand. It was around this time that I also discovered Alfred Hitchcock’s films (especially “Vertigo”), which inspired an even deeper love for innovation and storytelling.

However, it was not until undergrad that I realized my purpose. Coming from a family of civil rights leaders and relatives who went to HBCUs, it felt like attending my mother’s alma mater, Howard University, would be a perfect fit. There, I got to take Africana Studies classes, such as Black Thought Across Theatre & TV, Black Women, Power & Culture, and Hip Hop Across the Diaspora. These courses felt magnetic because it enabled me to discuss topics that were not the norm in prior settings. They gave me a safe space to develop my voice without the pressure of watering down myself nor the messages I felt called to share. The Howard Entertainment program helped solidify my foundation in various dimensions of filmmaking, including writing, physical production, directing, cinematography, sound and editing. The confidence and skills I gained here laid the path for me to contribute to companies such as Amazon Studios, 20th Century Studios, etc.

Currently, I am pursuing my Master of Fine Arts in TV & Film Production at the University of Southern California. So far I have gotten the opportunity to sharpen my skills across multiple disciplines, including directing, sound design, production design, producing and more. As a filmmaker, it fortifies my understanding of each element of filmmaking, which helps me navigate obstacles on the page, on set, in post and beyond. As a writer/director, this knowledge informs the way I intentionally tell a story beyond words and performance–sound, visuals, and pacing.

I am most proud of the work I do and the incredible people I make it with. I am grateful to be surrounded by brilliant and tenacious creatives, who inspire me to keep evolving, doing and building. I want future clients, collaborators and audiences to know that I pour all of myself into each project in whatever capacity I am working in.

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

Failure is not a setback; it’s a springboard. On one of my projects, lead actors and understudies dropped out the week and hour before shooting, locations canceled upon our arrival, and more—despite the team reserving locations and cast months in advance. These experiences have taught me that obstacles are part of the process. You should not let a situation dictate your emotions, but rather let your ultimate vision guide your steps.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding part about being an artist is making an impact on viewers. I think the scariest thing about being an artist is sharing the most vulnerable part of yourself and hoping it resonates with others. I was nervous to share “Sincerely, Jonah” because the father character was loosely based on my own dad, who means the world to me. The response at the first screening brought me to tears because mothers and fathers came up to me sharing how seeing this film inspired them to keep showing up and fighting for their children. As a filmmaker, my goal is to create stories that empower marginalized communities, highlight thought-provoking truth, and unify diverse audiences. My greatest joy is to see that the vision is making a difference for others.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cyan.mireille/