We were lucky to catch up with Makayla Boyd recently and have shared our conversation below.
Makayla, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. To kick things off, we’d love to hear about things you or your brand do that diverge from the industry standard.
It’s no secret that Hollywood is currently stuck in a cycle of reboots and revivals. Every time you turn around, there’s another remake of a movie or TV show that’s already been seen by you or your parents or even grandparents. And when new content does emerge, it often lacks full minority casts or even significant representation of minority main characters.
What sets my work apart is that I intentionally bring minority-led stories to the forefront. I currently have two web series on YouTube that do just that. Done In The Dark is a drama series centered around romance, cheating, and scandals in college, featuring an all-Black cast and crew. Noir Stories is a horror anthology series—another rare space for full Black representation—where Black actors take center stage in scary, chilling narratives.
Black-led stories, especially in genres like horror, are often overlooked, and I wanted to change that. Representation matters—not just in front of the camera, but behind it as well. By creating these projects, I’m not just telling stories; I’m helping to redefine whose stories get told and who gets to tell them.
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.
I’m Makayla, the founder of MCB Cinema, an independent film brand where I write, direct, and edit short films and web series. At MCB Cinema, my mission is to create fresh, engaging stories that amplify underrepresented voices—particularly in genres where minority-led casts are rarely seen. I want my work to inspire, entertain, and challenge perspectives while giving talented actors and crew members opportunities to shine.
Storytelling has been my passion for as long as I can remember—I was always writing stories as a kid. and even won a writing contest in 6th grade. My journey into filmmaking truly began in high school when I took a video production class and discovered how much I loved bringing scripts to life. That passion led me to major in Media Production in college, where I honed my skills, consistently creating and releasing short films throughout my studies.
During my senior year of college, COVID hit, forcing me to put filmmaking on hold for nearly two years. But in 2022, I was determined to get back to creating. That year, I launched my first web series, Done In The Dark. After wrapping up that project in 2023, I set my sights on a new challenge and began Noir Stories in 2024.
Beyond writing and directing my own projects, I also collaborate with others—whether it’s directing scripts written by someone else or helping refine ideas by crafting compelling plot points and realistic dialogue. I also have directed other projects that I haven’t written. I take pride in guiding actors to fully embody their characters, providing direction that helps them elevate their performances with each take.
One of my proudest achievements is that one episode from Noir Stories called Imaginary, was selected for multiple film festivals and even won awards last year. Seeing the hard work of my cast and crew recognized on that level was an incredible moment.
Do you have multiple revenue streams – if so, can you talk to us about those streams and how your developed them?
In addition to filmmaking, MCB Cinema offers photography, videography, and social media management services. When I’m not bringing a film to life, I’m often behind the camera capturing life’s most meaningful moments—whether it’s a graduation, a maternity shoot, or a family reunion. My goal is to preserve these milestones in a way that feels authentic and timeless. I also provide videography services to document these special occasions, ensuring that every emotion and detail is captured beautifully on film.
Beyond visual storytelling, I’ve developed a strong passion for social media management. While building my own brand online, I discovered how powerful digital marketing can be in connecting with audiences. This passion led me to pursue a master’s degree in marketing, where I deepened my expertise in social media strategy. Now, I use that knowledge to help others grow their brands and engage their communities effectively.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
For me, the most rewarding aspect of being a creative is having the opportunity to tell the stories I didn’t get to see growing up—and knowing that those stories truly resonate with people. There’s something incredibly powerful about creating complex characters who feel real, who remind viewers of themselves or people they’ve known. Seeing audiences connect with my work on that level is one of the best feelings in the world.
Beyond that, I take so much pride in carving out space for Black voices in genres where we’ve historically been overlooked. Whether it’s horror, sci-fi, or any other genre, I want to make sure Black stories are not just included but centered. It brings me so much joy to know that young creatives, movie lovers, and binge-watchers can now see themselves represented in ways I didn’t always get to.
At the end of the day, storytelling is about more than just entertainment—it’s about visibility, empowerment, and inspiring the next generation to dream bigger, create fearlessly, and take up space unapologetically. That’s what makes this journey so fulfilling for me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.mcbcinema.blog
- Instagram: @mcb_cinema
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mcbcinemacincy
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@mcbcinema_/featured
