We were lucky to catch up with Kayla Windsor recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Kayla thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Are you able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen?

I’m very lucky to have worked as a full-time freelance film contractor for over 14 years now. I started shooting music festivals when I was really young and had friends who I followed as they grew as musicians, traveling around the world. I was right in the middle when music festivals changed from just photography to after movies and I was the very first “videographer” in Arizona to make one in the EDM scene.. ever! It blew up after that and I moved away from music to go to film school at Northern Arizona University. After that.. and after camera operating for five years already, I restarted as an intern production assistant in tv and commercials, then camera PA, 2nd ac, 1st ac, back to camera op and now am producing my own feature films.

It was a tough journey coming from camera operating for years and restarting as an intern especially in a such a small market where the second you get trained enough to get paid, they move to the next interns and you have to fend for yourself.. but I had to be resilient, I said yes to every job, and reached out farther than the market I was in. Instagram really helped me grow as well. I showcased my work as I went and received a lot of support from people all over the world and when someone knew a production was coming to Arizona, they’d recommend me just from my presence and portfolio on Instagram! I’ve done a lot of work for free to gain experience, a network, and growth of my portfolio.

There’s so many major steps and so many milestones it’s hard to think of any of them. This life really is a never ending hustle but it’s so good so much of the time that I consider every day I get to do this a win. Being able to now produce my own features, be a first call cinematographer in Arizona now.. is a big deal I never thought I’d get to this quickly. I’m only 30 years old so I cannot wait for the future, I’ve got so much time! Knowing what I know now, I don’t think I could have sped up the process because I needed to go through all of it in order to become who I am now. I needed to feel the disrespect towards a woman on camera, I needed to feel the excitement of getting the jobs, I needed to feel the losses, I needed to grow the little film family that only comes from being in the trenches. I don’t think anyone should want to rush the process or want to go back and change things. The future is what’s important now! It’ll be so much fun!

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 Kayla Windsor and I am a freelance film producer and cinematographer/camera operator. I also work as a Gaffer, FAA Certified Drone Pilot, Assistant Camera, Media Manager, Script Supervisor. I can probably do every department by now, to be honest. I really would love to be a camera operator full time. Predicting the future.. measuring light, time, and space to get the shot just right. That’s the dream.

I also am becoming more of a teacher, which I never expected. Get ready, I’ve been busy this year!

I was voted onto the board of the Arizona Production Association which is a directory listing of verified Arizona production professionals. We work extremely hard behind the scenes to move the film business forward here.

I’ve also joined the Arizona Filmmakers organization as a Community Educator where the goal is to improve job opportunities for our local AZ creatives, create workshops to raise the next generation of filmmakers, and host networking events, fundraisers, film challenges, all to support our community. Our mantra is “Community over Competition” and we really create a safe space for everyone to learn and grow and be who they need to be to create incredible stories and provide quality crew to productions.

Within the Arizona Filmmakers, I’ve been hosting a new podcast called Arizona Filmmakers Roundtable where I gather our top AZ industry professionals together to talk about their specific talents and resources that will not only benefit local filmmakers but those who are looking to come film in Arizona in the near future. Currently we are working on our third episode and I can’t wait to release the season.

I also have worked with the Arizona State Film office teaching a camera department class to their 5 Day Production Assistant Crew Ready Initiative which aims to release 2,000 certified production assistants into the AZ local job market over the next 5 years.

The Navajo Nation recently opened a film office and has also created workshops to fill productions that come from out of state with local, certified, professional Navajo crew.

Currently working alongside the Arizona Film and Digital Media Coalition, the Arizona Commerce Authority, and the Arizona State Film Office to assist in bettering the ease of application to the new AZ Tax Incentive. We are studying my feature film, The Vast Lonesome, to work out any kinks in the newly established program.

I’m very excited to be able to help my home state in the ways that I am now. I love Arizona so much, it’s so special, and I think it’s about time the world found that out.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

A lesson that I had to unlearn was being so sensitive to the comments of men on set. Not all men are included in this but especially as a woman in camera department.. it really bothered me for years how much I was belittled by the smallest phrases.. like: “are you sure you can carry that?” The amount of times I was asked this used to make me so mad I couldn’t even handle the rest of the day. I realized over 2020 when the film industry was shut down that it’s not me being inadequate. It’s the fact that men of certain generations were trained by society to help women, open doors, carry their luggage, etc. It’s a learned trait that men had to unlearn to allow for me and other women to be free to do our jobs. I’ve had so many jobs with examples like this: a male AC dropped a $30,000 lens on the ground and did not get yelled at. The same job, I put a filter down on an empty, carpeted camera cart and was yelled at about not putting it in the case. It was completely shocking to me, but I realized that these men were only looking at me over him because they felt the need to take care of me. Some paternal instinct.. The second I came to this realization, my entire life changed as a female in the industry. It’s not me that’s doing anything wrong. We are all learning how to change what society gave us growing up.. especially in the entertainment industry, the forefront of change is us.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

My mission driving my creative journey is coming from a power I’m not entirely in control of. The things I’ve done in my life have been straight energy flowing through my body and I wake up on the other side with a movie. You blink and it’s over but you were there the whole time. It’s a trip. I’m not sure what the mission is entirely but I’m excited to see what it turns out to be.

On a more practical note. A particular goal I have is to camera operate a Disney/Marvel/StarWars, HBO series. I’d love to be in a room with so much talent. Every person absolutely perfect for the job. A goal is to have that film family that I can go to all the time, who takes care of me back. It’ll come, it already is!

Contact Info:

• Instagram: www.instagram.com/emaginariumm