Creative Conversations

Learn the technical and artistic aspects of cinematography from industry experts across various genres, including documentaries, narrative films, music videos, commercials, and freelance projects. Features key insights on lighting, camera work, and visual storytelling techniques from pre-production to post-production.

Jenny Fancy
Marketing and Brand Consultant

Jenny Fancy’s entrepreneurial mindset and background in early-stage startups have led her to a passion for combining creative ideas with practical strategy. Her core specialty is in brand strategy, creative digital content creation, programming, and bringing new products and brands to market. Jenny has extensive experience leading launches from development through go-to-market, with expertise in distribution, growth, and market positioning. She has worked with notable brands such as Dragun Beauty, Coastal Citizen, and JLo Beauty. LinkedIn

Darol Olu Kae
Director
Somesuch

Darol Olu Kae is a Los Angeles-based filmmaker whose work challenges conventional storytelling structures. His innovative approach to sound and image intertwines with black expressive modalities in America. His short film, i ran from it and was still in it, won the Pardino d’oro for Best International Short Film at the Locarno Film Festival in 2020. Darol’s work has been screened at global institutions such as Sundance, Locarno, and BAM, and he was named one of “25 New Faces of Independent Film” by Filmmaker Magazine. LinkedIn

Ian Smith
Founder / Director / DP
Studiobox Inc. & Sobremesa Inc.

As a Los Angeles native, Ian Smith has been in the video production industry for over 15 years, beginning his journey by making videos with friends in high school. After graduating from UC Santa Cruz, he embraced the digital DIY revolution, capitalizing on the emergence of platforms like YouTube. Today, Ian directs and produces across a variety of mediums, from documentaries to commercials. His expertise in visual composition and production management has earned him a respected reputation in the industry. LinkedIn.

Trevor Roach
Cinematographer

Born in Indianapolis, Indiana, Trevor Roach attended Butler University, where he majored in Digital Media Production. He moved to Los Angeles to pursue his MFA in cinematography from Chapman University. Trevor has shot award-winning short films, commercials, music videos, and feature films, including Night, Mother, which won a 2022 Webby Award. He is known for his ability to capture compelling narratives and visually striking compositions. Instagram.

Click here to see the complete schedule of conversations.

Click here to download the Creative Conversations Flyer.

This is a free event. Priority for in-person training programs and financial stipends, including opportunities for paid internship placements, is given to active participants, ages 18- 24, in Creative Conversations, as well as young people who are low income, foster youth, homeless, and/or justice involved.

Presented by Venice Art’s Center for Creative Workforce Equity.

Supported, in part, by: