We were lucky to catch up with Kathy Kolla recently and have shared our conversation below.

Kathy, appreciate you joining us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

One of the most meaningful projects I’ve worked on as a filmmaker is my documentary “Who Is Billy Bones?” — it was my first feature film and is currently streaming on Amazon Prime. The subject matter is very important to me. The film follows the life of punk rock legend Billy Bones, from his childhood to his success as the lead singer of the 1970s punk band The Skulls. But it’s also a story about perseverance. The way he persevered in his music career paralleled the journey I was taking to complete a feature film and get it distributed. I learned a lot about myself through documenting his life, in terms of the punk rock ethos of never giving up.

Kathy, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

As an artist — whether in front of the camera as an actor or behind the camera directing — I always try to put storytelling first. I started out acting on shows like Arrested Development, and taking a script and building out a character that’s relatable was an instrumental education in terms of learning how to share a story with an audience. My time working as an actor gave me the confidence to write and produce my own stories, bringing them to life on screen. Just seeing one of my films in the theater or on TV gives me a sense of great accomplishment. It keeps me moving forward with a focus on sharing stories of inspiration with a positive message.

Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?

One resource I wish I knew about earlier in my creative journey was the importance of finding a mentor to help guide you. There are many people in the industry who legitimately want to help you. We all had to start somewhere, and many established figures in the entertainment industry know what it’s like to start out, and they want to help others on their journey. You just have to ask. I once directed a PSA featuring the legendary entertainer Johnny Mathis, and years later, asking for advice, I received a letter of recommendation from him, which was vital to helping secure additional projects. So, I encourage those starting out to seek a mentor in whatever capacity that may be. Keeping in mind, of course, you also need to extend a hand to others along the way, too.

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

For me, the most rewarding aspect of being an artist is working with other creative people on a team. Everyone has something different to offer a project. Finding people you believe in is crucial to creating lasting art. It’s also the fun part. Film and TV are a collaborative effort, just like anything else, but possibly more so. It can take hundreds of people to make a film. No one does it alone. Personally, I’m thriving when I’m in the process of creating with a great team.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://www.colakat.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kathykolla/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KathyKolla/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathykolla/
• Twitter: https://x.com/KathyKolla
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@kathykolla
  https://www.imdb.me/kathykolla

Image Credits

John Wolfsohn, Drew Milford, Johnny Jones.