We recently connected with Madison Ledyard-King and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Madison thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you tell us about a time that your work has been misunderstood? Why do you think it happened and did any interesting insights emerge from the experience?

As an artist and a visionary creator, one of the biggest things starting out that many of us can attest to is the desire — nay demand, to wear many hats in pursuit of our artistic creativity. Which, by all means, is a good thing as it can nurture our creative aspirations and inspire our other interests. But, where I found myself at the past few years is nurturing those other aspirations and neglecting the main passion that got me into creating art in the first place, acting. I started realizing this when people would hit me up wanting me to direct something for them or saying how proud they are to see me flourish as a writer, and so on and so forth. Again, not a bad reputation to have, and by all means there is a respect to have for this, but I found myself disassociating my authentic identity with the ideal identity that everyone else saw for me. But I had to learn that it only matters how you see yourself, move toward that truth and the universe around you will soon align.

Madison, 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?

Well, I had a unique introduction into the world of creativity. In college, I started out as a business management major. I had no clear intentions on what I would do with such a degree, but just felt it was the right thing to do. Not long into my freshman year I read for a local play at the Pan-African theater at Kent State, the director liked me and urged me to accept the role for their upcoming show. I did, and from then I haven’t looked back. From there, I began to act in some student film projects on campus, and fell in love with the filmmaking atmosphere. I became enthralled with the idea of becoming a filmmaker, and even changed my major to digital media production, the closest thing the school had to a film degree. Now, I continue to be a storyteller through acting, directing, and producing short narrative and commercial work. From films, to web series, commercials, and documentary work, I like to leave no stone unturned as a filmmaker. I strive for truth in the work that I do, and want to just entertain audiences. One of my main objectives as a collaborator is finding how to best elevate someone’s project to reach it’s full potential. I am most proud of the team I have been able to forge throughout the years during my time at school. Now, we are looking to branch off into more professional work and launch a production company that can allow us to continue delivering the award-winning content that we have produced thus far. Our next step includes delivering feature films that tell bold and brave narratives of underrepresented perspectives.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect about being an artist is being able to convey ideas and see them come to fruition. There’s no feeling like the feeling you feel after you spend hours slaving over a project and seeing it in its final form. And then taking the time to step back and appreciate that you are the reason this exists. Something that came from a nugget of your imagination. Not to be dramatic, but it’s almost like a part of you is now cemented into the ether of time.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

Something I think many non-creatives may struggle to understand about our journey is that a lot of it is built on our own disillusionment. And that is a disillusionment projected by the expectations of society. But, we like to go against the grain and think outside of the box. And that’s not to say that non-creatives don’t either, but to pursue the lifestyle of being a creative is a risk. And one that you have to be brave enough to endure because for many people, success is never linear. And there will come a lot of uncertainty and self-doubt. But preservation and resiliency is what strengthens us.

Contact Info:

• Website: madisonledyardking.com
• Instagram: madisonledyardking
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/madison-ledyard-king
• Other: FAME Productions website & Instagram: filmsbyfame.com, @filmsbyfame

Image Credits
Thomas Mendenhall Spencer Eyong Jacob Marzluf Travis Daniel Williams