Getting to know Kyran Ashford, a proficient film maker within the film industry

In this article we turn our attention to Kyran Ashford. A gifted and accomplished film maker making an impact within the film industry.

Tell us a little about yourself, where your from, grew up, what H.S./College you attended, etc.

My name is Kyran Ashford. Born and raised here in Rochester, NY. I grew up in a household of five which includes my mother, stepfather, younger brother, sister and myself. When I turned 11 years old, I then met my real father right along with three other sisters and two brothers. I attended Joseph C. Wilson high school and graduated in 2005. Only two years of college after that but decided to dropout and only work.

What inspired you to get into directing and videography? Early experiences worth sharing?

What inspired me to get into Directing and Videography was the passion to creatively express myself. Growing up I always had a hard time expressing my thoughts and emotions. When it came down to me being creative with my thoughts and talents, defending myself in conflict with others, or just simply expressing how I feel, I could not get past thinking and worrying about what other people may think about me. But one thing I’ve always done to help clear my mind was use my phone to create. Even if it was the simplest videos, it was helpful for me.

Talk about a time where you have faced adversity/conflict and have triumphed.

Meeting my father at 11 years old was a tough time in my life that I had to overcome. My mother and stepdad did all they could to protect me, take care of me and raise me to be the man that I needed to be. But once the family secret was revealed, it changed my life. Things wasn’t smooth sailing once me and my real father met, but as I got older and began to build my own family, I gained a much better understanding on what it took to be a real man for my children. Now I have my own stepson who doesn’t really have a relationship with his father. But because of my experience growing up, I’m now able to be the man that my son needs me to be for him.

What do you believe sets you apart from other directors and videographers?

What sets me apart from other directors and videographers is the experience I give people when working on set. I’m well-known for delivering awesome quality film work, but my top priority is to make sure my clients remember me by how I treat them and how I make them feel. I was always taught that people might forget what you said to them, but they will never forget how you made the feel. So it is important to me to make people feel engaged and understood.

Do you have other interests or hobbies?

I’ve always been interested in acting, but I’ve spent more time behind the camera and fell in love with film making even more. As far as hobbies, basketball was always my first love.

Any projects you have out or or currently working on?

I have plenty of projects that I am proud of that I currently have on my YouTube channel. Later this month I will be on set filming episodes for a television series. I can’t lie I’m super excited about this opportunity because my number one goal is to be the lead Director of Photography and film/edit movies and TV shows.

Where would you like to see yourself in 5 years?

Within the next five years, I will be on set filming and possibly creating my own series, movie or show on a major network!

What advice can you give in regards to individuals looking to enter your line of work?

It sounds cliché, but the main advice I want to give others entering this line of work is to simply believe in yourself! When I began my career in filmmaking back in 2015, all I had was my iPhone, that’s it. For the longest I’ve allowed my mindset defeat me and I held myself back on pursuing my dream. Again, I was too worried about what other people thought of me. And that alone consistently defeated my dream. When I got married in 2015, I told my wife that I wanted to be a videographer/film maker. Her exact words to me were, you have my 100% support. Just do me a favor and do not let this family down. That is what I needed to hear from her, and it put the battery in my back to pursue my dream. I started off with small businesses who needed video content with only my iPhone. Some people gave me an opportunity, some people turned me away. But I made sure it did not stop me from what I wanted to do. So remember, you may have limited resources to start your dream, but that shouldn’t stop you from getting started!

How can we follow along in your journey? YouTube? Social media? Sites?

You can follow my journey on all social media platforms!

⁃ Facebook: Kyran Ashford

⁃ Facebook: Ashford Films

⁃Tik Tok: ashford_films

⁃ Instagram: ashford_films1

⁃ Website: ashfordfilms.com

⁃ YouTube: Ashford Films

⁃ Alignable: Ashford Films

⁃ Vimeo: Ashford Films