We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Kasandra Price a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Kasandra, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Before we get into specifics, let’s talk about success more generally. What do you think it takes to be successful?
Achieving success is a complex and sometimes long journey that can vary from person to person depending on what success looks like to them. It’s not just about reaching a specific destination but also about embodying a certain mindset and discipline along the way. To me, success is the culmination of commitment, consistency, and a profound sense of purpose. It’s about having the ability to weather the inevitable storms that come our way and persevere despite the challenges. While it may be effortless to remain steadfast when everything is going smoothly, true success is forged through dedication to our end goals, maintaining consistency in our efforts, and continuously evolving and learning. It’s this combination of resilience and disciplined growth that ultimately paves the way to success.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
As a filmmaker and screenwriter, storytelling flows through my veins. I began screenwriting at a young age and by thirteen I began taking what was on paper and bringing it to life on screen. Having an engineering background, I embarked on a mission to redefine the essence of “Movie Magic” in my films through innovation and screenwriting. My work in the film industry consists of multiple layers, I direct, produce, write, and act. With over seven years of experience crafting screenplays, I have worked to bring my stories to life, including multiple short films and two independent feature films. My latest feature film “Homeless or Right at Home,” is currently available for streaming on Tubi through Homestead Entertainment and Dame Dash Studios Distribution. I strive to produce films that resonate deeply with audiences. What sets me apart from others is my imagination in storytelling but also my ceaseless devotion to challenging the boundaries of creativity. I take immense pride in my ability to capture the raw essence of human emotions and life experiences, wielding the camera lens as a paintbrush to create cinematic wonders that linger in the hearts and minds of viewers. Beyond filmmaking, I am also an accomplished author with two published books, including my latest novel, “A Rose That Grew From A Textbook In The Village,” available on Amazon.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
I had to unlearn the notion that to be successful you have to work non-stop and instead embrace the idea that it’s essential to take breaks and prioritize moments of relaxation and decompression.
With a demanding 9-to-5 corporate job, there’s only a precious sliver of time left to nurture artistic endeavors such as filmmaking, producing, and writing. These pursuits thrive on meticulous attention and dedication, yet it always seemed impossible to carve out time without sacrificing one facet of my life for another. This left me feeling overwhelmed and exhausted, with a To-Do List longer than my arm.
In this intricate dance of time management and prioritization, I’ve discovered that the magic of work-life balance lies in recognizing the value of every moment. It’s about making each second count, whether I’m refining a screenplay, solving an engineering challenge, or sharing laughter with friends.
I’ve also learned to embrace moments of relaxation. I used to think that if I wasn’t working on something, I was wasting my time. However, I’ve come to appreciate the joy in the moments when I simply sit to scroll on social media for a little bit, turn on a TV show, or sleep in for an extra hour or two. By giving myself permission to take breaks, I found that my creativity is enhanced, and I become less frustrated if a project is not progressing at the pace I would like.
As an Engineer, Filmmaker, Producer, Author, and All-Around Creative, I’ve come to understand that it’s not about finding more hours in a day but about optimizing the hours I have.
By setting aside specific times for each facet of my life and embracing the power of weekends, I’ve managed to harmonize my passions with my profession. So, to all those who grapple with the challenge of balancing their multifaceted lives, remember this: with dedication, organization, and a dash of creativity, you can transform the relentless ticking of the clock into a harmonious symphony of your life’s passions.
Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?
Crafting a cohesive and motivated team requires a delicate balance of understanding individual strengths and challenges, as well as mastering the art of knowing your audience. By recognizing and leveraging the diverse skill sets within your team, you can strategically position individuals to excel in various situations, thereby maximizing their potential. Providing thorough training tailored to each team member’s role creates confidence and enhances productivity, steering away from monotony and stagnation.
Empowering team members through leadership opportunities instills a sense of ownership and significance in their tasks, elevating their commitment and engagement. Equally vital is developing an environment where open communication is encouraged, valuing every team member’s input and addressing concerns with genuine consideration. By acknowledging and celebrating successes, no matter how small, we fuel a collective sense of achievement and motivation, propelling the team towards even greater heights.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.kpstudios.net
- Instagram: @kp_productions__
Image Credits
Studio Photos Credit: ShotbyJefeo