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

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?

I’m an independent filmmaker based in St. Louis and I would say we can track my origin story to 11th grade. Really up until that point I thought music was what I would pursue with my life- playing piano, cello, violin, and even making some. But then I saw the behind the scenes to the movie “Inception”, where all these incredible and gifted people from different artistic and logistical fields come together for one thing: to tell a dope ass story. And that was the moment I told myself filmmaking was something I wanted to do and take seriously.

My narrative work has evolved quite a bit since then- getting bigger, hopefully better as I honed my craft for 11 years now.

Ultimately I just want to tell stories that matter, that are fresh, and impactful on the people who experience them. Those stories can take a variety of forms and I don’t have to necessarily be in one genre or mode of storytelling to convey them. as I evolve personally, I also evolve artistically.

That being said, I’m most proud of the fact that I’ve been intentional about my evolution as a person, (constantly growing, learning, and getting better) resulting in me being my most authentic self. And that comes out in my storytelling unapologetically as well.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

Filmmakers need support, but we don’t always need support to get started. I told myself that wherever I was geographically, I would create my own Hollywood- my own system and machine on how to get things done. And it’s tough sometimes, you know, because we as artists want to feel validated every step of the way. But when I made a decision to begin this journey, I validated myself to begin to pursue the highest version of me. And I think that’s true for any artist who is banking on themselves. Prove to everyone why they should support you. Create quality work in the eyes of your audience. People will come when you’re in motion.

Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

I am my greatest resource. The creativity, the energy, the team building for what I do begins with me. As soon as I become completely dependent on a outside entity for me to execute, I’ve given away my power. That doesn’t mean I don’t believe in partnerships, because I absolutely do! But at the end of the day it’s my fortitude and the well I’m pulling from that’s slowly creating the reality I’m wanting to experience for myself and those who’s dreams are attached to mine.    

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidkirkmanfilms
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DavidKStl
• Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/davidkirkman
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCE4IBpJYAFJv8m6gnf_uLtA

Image Credits
Henri Trinh Tiffany Banks