We were lucky to catch up with Mariah Morgenstern recently and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Mariah thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Are you happy as a creative professional? Do you sometimes wonder what it would be like to work for someone else?
This topic has been on my mind a lot this year. For those of us that work in the film industry, I think we all thought after the devastating slowdown of 2022 and 2023 because of the strikes that 2024 would pick up, but when this year ended up being just as slow if not slower, many of us have been left to question whether it’s sustainable to continue on in this field or not.
The streamers and studios broke the American film industry models that have existed for decades. To date, they haven’t taken any accountability for their actions or incredible greed or lack of care for our art form. They’re constantly greenlighting content over quality and the decline in excitement that once lit up the American film industry is very dim.
Because of the financial devastation, I wondered if I had to pursue a “regular” job, and what that might be like. Could I switch to retail or go back to the restaurant industry? Could I work for a 9-5 type firm? It was one of the most difficult back-and-forths I’ve had. My entire life all I’ve ever dreamt of is working in film and I love my job.
Ultimately, even though financially things were overwhelming and the industry still looks somewhat bleak, there isn’t anything I’d like to do or really feel like I could do besides pursue the arts. I’d rather try to stand for the art that I grew up watching that I believe in, than quit and allow these giants to continue to overpower the markets.
While I am happier because I’m an artist, I think it’s important to highlight that you won’t always be happy as a creative or as an artist. It’s not an easy field to pursue – it’s very nonlinear and unpredictable. Your career and ability to climb the ladder is dependent upon so many variables outside of your control and it can be very mentally taxing. You’re constantly fighting the balance between business/money, and then dreams/emotions. I’ve lost friends working in this industry because things can get so heightened – it certainly isn’t easy, but for those magic lightning moments when you’re on a film set or in a music studio and everything goes right, it makes it all worth it. I think that’s what matters the most and keeps me going – I can’t imagine life without art made by humans and I do believe it’s valuable to make sure it doesn’t go away.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
My journey into the creative industry has been a lifelong passion turned into reality, albeit, pursuing these fields has been the hardest thing I’ve ever done. I’ve always known I wanted to be a storyteller, through film and music. I studied Film and Mass Communications at the University of Central Florida and eventually moved to Los Angeles, where I launched my career. In 2021, I started my production company, New Royalty Films, with the goal of fostering a collaborative, inclusive, and safe environment for creatives. My company specializes in creating impactful visual media, from narrative films to music videos and branded projects, and we really believe that the work we put out should feel authentic. It’s important to me that the things we make inspire others. As a filmmaker, I have a very deep and vast knowledge of the history of cinema which I think sets me apart. In addition, I’m an extremely skilled producer and director, so any project that gets brought to my desk, I know how to find a way to make it work for the budget that we’re given.
As a filmmaker, I’m torn between two projects that I’m most proud of. The first being my short horror-comedy Death And, which won multiple awards domestically and internationally and is a testament to my love for blending genres and pushing creative boundaries. When I told people I was making a movie about an improv team that gets abducted, I was met with some uncertainty that it wouldn’t be understood, but I was passionate about the subject matter being an improviser myself. It ended up doing very well as mentioned, so if you believe in something you should absolutely run with it no matter what people say. The second is my debut feature film, Skimmer, which is a true indie comedy. I’m really excited to see how audiences react to it, it’s a big film with a very small budget. As a musician, I perform under my alter ego, myah, which has allowed me to explore vulnerability and cinematic storytelling through sound. I have two long-form projects releasing soon, “IS THIS WHAT I SEE?” and “i don’t know what i’m feeling”, which I’m extremely proud of too. All of my creative work I try to focus on the emotional connection art provides and standing for artistry over mass content production. I hope what sets me apart is my commitment to storytelling that feels raw and meaningful.
What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?
A society that values and invests in the arts is one that supports artists best. Making art is expensive and most artists work double time just to pour their money back into their craft. So, it’s important to have access to funding, affordable workspaces, and education. Artists thrive in an environment where risks are encouraged and collaboration is celebrated. We need a cultural shift away from viewing the arts as “nice-to-have” and instead recognize their inarguable value to society. The arts connect us by allowing a collective to reflect on our experiences, and challenge our perspectives. Practical measures, like more grants for independent artists and equitable pay for creative work, are also crucial. We have to figure out how to rebuild models that benefit artists since streaming has eliminated so many revenue avenues that used to allow artists to pay their bils. If we create space for innovation and protect the rights of artists, we’ll see a flourishing of creative expression that benefits everyone. There needs to be a new golden age of cinema and art as a whole. I also think it’s important for artists to meet and gather in real life and not just digitally. Since COVID, I fear we’ve been conditioned too much to be inside or do everything online, and in-person connection is truly an unmatched environment.
How did you build your audience on social media?
I have a love-hate relationship with social media. I think because I grew up while social media was still evolving, I’ve seen how it’s changed from being a place for expression without judgment to a highly curated and calculated environment. It’s also unavoidable for the most part – until you reach a certain level, I think as a creative if you don’t have social media it’s almost like you don’t exist. I try to approach social media with authenticity and consistency, although sometimes I don’t post as frequently as maybe what’s recommended. It’s a lot to keep up with. You constantly have to consider how people are going to perceive you and recognize their perception may not always be positive. Whatever I share I try to be as genuine as possible while also adhering to an aesthetic that will keep people’s attention. From there I do my best to engage with my audience directly which means replying to a lot of comments, doing Live streams, and fostering a sense of community.
I had an interesting experience on TikTok this past year, which I use for my music persona. One of my videos about a dating experience I had as a “non-famous” filmmaker & musician went viral. It resonated with a lot of people because it was honest and relatable, and I learned that storytelling in short formats can be quite powerful too. You just have to be mindful about what you put out there, because people will make it your identity whether you want them to or not. For those starting, I’d advise focusing on what makes you unique and leaning into it and not worrying about what any naysayers might come up with, because not everyone is going to like you or believe what you’re saying or understand you. I think the interesting thing about my own personas in Film & Music is while they are both me, they are also very isolated versions of myself. They exist independently, but again, are still “me”. I use Donald Glover / Childish Gambino as a similar example — you have the actor that is Donald Glover, but then you have the musician that is Childish Gambino. Both are him, but they represent the different artistic sides of who he is. I feel similarly about Mariah Morgenstern, the filmmaker, and myah, the singer-songwriter. With social media, consistency matters – post regularly, but don’t compromise on quality. Be patient; building a loyal audience takes time and a lot of what you post will go unnoticed during this part of the process. Instant gratification doesn’t exist when you’re building an audience, it just takes time. Lastly, remember that social media is a tool to connect, not just a platform to promote, if you lose yourself in it, then it’ll drive you crazy and probably not be the most healthy for your mental health. The right audience will come at the right moment, so keep at it. It will only never happen if you choose to stop pursuing it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.newroyaltyfilms.com
- Instagram: @myahmakesmusic & @mariahsalive
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariah-morgenstern-81318277/
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@myahmakesmusic?si=sq0w8ujM3U79D_Kt & https://youtube.com/@newroyaltyfilms?si=maBmlUcDD2L1JM8T
- Soundcloud: https://on.soundcloud.com/5VLYLNohBPkXLY2R9
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@myahmakesmusic_
