Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Kelly Thompson II. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Kelly, appreciate you joining us today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

I’d rather fail at being extraordinary than succeed at being mediocre. To me, nothing that’s worth it is gotten easily. The journey of trying to make a great living as an artist is a big risk in general because of the lack of stability that comes with that it. But my parents and family sacrificed a lot, and worked really hard so that I can have the luxury to live life with choices.

I’ve always felt the desire to tell stories, and leave the world better than I found it in some way, so why not go for it? You miss every shot you don’t take. I’m gonna’ be on the big screen, and have a big impact on art communities and media representation. I’ll always be working toward that until I reach that goal no matter how risky it is.

It just can’t be any other way for me, and I know that from the experience of trying to let go of my passion, It can’t leave me, so I’ve learned to embrace it, and the risk that comes with it.

Kelly, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’ve connected with storytelling and writing since I was a kid, but I didn’t get into making films until later on. I used to write poems, stories and songs as a kid. But basketball was my first passion, and I played until high school.

My mom wanted me in a special program for high school, and I didn’t want to go to my homeschool, so we were looking at magnet schools and such when I was in 7th grade.

She came across DeKalb School of the Arts, which was an arts school for 8th-12th graders, and I ended up applying and auditioning so I could get in the school. Initially, I didn’t get in and was put on the waitlist, but eventually a spot opened up for me. It was such a relief when I found out I got in.

But when I was there, I was lost for the first 3 years artistically. Looking back on it now, it’s not hard to see why, seeing as I went to the school just to not be in a regular high school. It wasn’t until 11th grade, when I took our film course at the time which was starting to be revamped with a new teacher and system, that I got into film.

My teacher was great at what he did, his class got me into all aspects of film and things I had noticed before, but didn’t know, like lighting, camera angles, costumes, and set design just to name a few. I realized with these tools, I wanted tell my own stories and make people feel how I felt when I watched my favorite movies.

From there, my passion led me places. In my junior year I was acting in short films, and by senior year I was acting in, directing, writing, editing and shooting them. All in one, a few times. After senior year I was a bit burnt out though, and didn’t pick film back up until we were on lockdown for COVID when I had some time to reflect.

Then I took the next step of taking the initiative to make films outside of school and work with other great creatives, experimenting with what I can do and learning new things.

In the past couple of years I’ve been telling stories about internal growth for people in the 17-23 age range, and fear. I’ve got a great crew and people around me I trust in, so I’ve been able to have great visuals and incorporate well produced action scenes in my film with a very limited budget. So far these films have been balanced with good visuals, action, solid stories and acting, and memorable moments.

That was the beginning stage though, now I want to be more purposeful and patient with everything I do. Now, I know more of what I want to put out for people to hopefully absorb and take with them.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

Seeing my films on the big screen in a theater is such an amazing feeling, largely because of the reactions. Being able to thrive outside my comfort zone is also very rewarding. I love the feeling I get when my peers and I have created a space for our stories to exist and grow in.

The thrill of it all comes together once a project that I’ve put my time and passion into, is done. I aim to grow in some way with each film I’m apart of, so I always love taking on a new challenge and learning new things. Doing that and seeing that it translates well to an audience makes me happier than anything as an artist.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

From when I started getting into film in the 11th grade, to my junior year of college, I was experimenting with everything that caught my interest artistically. I had months of writing films, months of learning and making music, months of painting and drawing, months of taking photos and modeling a bit, because I have an appreciation and love for all kinds of art.

But as much as I was opening myself up, ironically, I was also boxing myself in at times. I was going with the flow of what I wanted to learn and experience, but I wasn’t working towards anything concrete. So this year I had to really sit down and ask myself, “Where do YOU want to see yourself? How do you take the steps to get there right now?”

I realized that nothing is gonna happen for me in a day, weeks, months, or a year. I want to be on the big screen more than anything else. And I’ve wanted that for a long time but I was scared to go all the way in for it. I’ve been working as an actor on and off since I was thirteen years-old. But to get on that screen in the ruthless film industry, coming from where I come from and being who I am, I have to commit myself completely to this journey. There’s no other way around it.

So one day, earlier this year, I started taking acting seriously and committing myself to it. It was a lot of hard work but it paid off as I’ve been able to act in numerous short films, a feature, and a TV series. I’ve gotten a chance to meet, connect, and work with other incredible artists in the midst of it all.

Even though this is lifelong journey I’m on, it only took one day to change my life around and start that process.

Contact Info:

• Website: linktr.ee/kellythompsonii
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kellythompsonii/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-thompson-ii-4ab507264/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LI21bf5VNj4&t=46s
• Other: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6Aj65WEJj8

Image Credits
Jai Jefferson Solomon Dobbs Daniel Palacios Alia Wells