kiara danae
kiara danae
filmmaker | photographer
About Me
Passionate for Storytelling
My name is Kiara Danae. I am a freelance photographer, filmmaker, and multidisciplinary artist from Riley Hill, a rural unincorporated family-centered community in Wendell , NC. As a graduate film student at Howard University driven by a passion for capturing the intricacies of human experiences, my journey into the world of visual narratives has been marked by an unyielding curiosity for the nuances that shape our lives. In my work, I strive to illuminate the multifaceted aspects of family, identity, and memory through the use of narrative based storytelling that meshes with elements of documentary and archival imagery.
As a visual storyteller, I am drawn to the profound roots that connect us - the silent whispers of ancestry that reveal our past, shape our present and guide our future. My artistic path has been an observation of the human condition and that which binds us to our origins. I find myself drawn to personal histories and the collective stories that shape societies. In an era of rapid change and interconnectedness, I am committed to capturing the authentic essence of what it means to be human, unearthing the shared threads that weave us into the rich fabric of our cultures.
In essence, my work is a reflection of who I am, a visual manifestation of my own identity and experiences. Through varying mediums from photography to filmmaking and other forms of visual art, I embark on a continual exploration of the human spirit, weaving together stories that illuminate the intricate beauty of our shared existence. With each visual representation, I invite viewers on a journey of introspection and connection, alongside me as we navigate the vast terrain of family, identity and remembrance, discovering the profound truths that bind us as a global community.
Look closely at the present you are constructing; it should look like the future you are dreaming.
Alice Walker
CV
Screenwriter
Dreams of a Weeping Tree | Short Film 2022
Riley's Hill | Short Film 2022
House at the End of Salvation | Screenplay 2021
Director
Dreams of a Weeping Tree | Short Film 2023
GIFT | Music Video 2022
Riley' s Hill | Short Film 2022
Our Mother's Dressers Were Altars Too | Visual Poem 2021
Editor
Sweet Tooth | Short Film 2023
GIFT | Music Video 2022
The Lighthouse and The Sailboat | Short Film 2022
Riley's Hill | Short Film 2022
Our Mother's Dressers Were Altars Too | Visual Poem 2021
Cinematographer
Sweet Tooth | Short Film 2023
Envision Us On Fire | Short Film 2023
GIFT | Music Video 2022
The Lighthouse and The Sailboat | Short Film 2022
A Simple Act | Short Film 2022
Wash Day | Short Film 2022
Our Mother's Dressers Were Altars Too | Visual Poem 2021
Gaffer
Hag | Short Film 2023
Flow Street | Short Film 2022
Clifton Lets Loose | Short Film 2022
Production Designer
A Mother's Prayer | Short Film 2023
An Awfully Lonely Autumn | Short Film 2023
love shines brightest in the dark | Short Film 2022
Xhaltia | Short Film 2022
Sound Mixer
It Was Lovely | Short Film 2022
1st Assistant Camera
Tonight We Dance | Short Film 2023
Untitled Episode | Anthology Series 2023
Photographer
In Remembrance of What Remains | Photographic Series (2023)
Blue Memories | Photographic Series for Short Film (2023)
Resume
Experience
Director of Photography & Editor | Sweet Tooth (2023)
May 2023 - Present
Skills
Director of Photography | Envision Us on Fire (2023)
December 2022 - February 2023
Production Designer | love shines brightest in the dark (2022)
January 2022 - September 2022
Development of visual concept and oversee design of the film set. My responsibilities include conducting research to find certain items/props and collaborating with film director and cinematographer to convey artistic style.
Leadership
Communication
Visual Storytelling
Cinematic Lighting
Photography
Videography
Script Coverage | 100+ hours
Adobe: Premiere Pro, Photoshop, Audition, After Effects, Lightroom
Video editing: Final Cut Pro, DaVinci Resolve
Working alongside film director to establish the overall look of the film. Organize shotlist and help create and execute and effective shooting plan
Organizations
Internship | Jazz Crawl Productions
June 2022 - September 2022
Organization of media into coherent, marketable content for viewership. Advanced working knowledge of Adobe Premiere Pro.
Gaffer | Flow Street
January 2022 - May 2022
Head team of light technicians. Responsible for executing lighting plans for production and for lighting each scene in order to achieve the look of the film.
Production Assistant | Black Country Productions
October 2019 - June 2022
For this 2x Emmy Award winning production I was responsible for the operation of camera and the management of film equipment. I also efficiently conducted interviews and expanded knowledge of video editing software.
Production Assistant Internship | GDavis Productions
February 2021 - July 2021
Responsible for assisting on set during productions. Gained on set experience working with a crew, director and current film industry professionals.
Howard University Film Organization
Since September 2022
Black Women Photographers
Since October 2021
Honors Society
Since 2018
Education
MFA, Film
Howard University
BA, Media Studies
Minors in Photography and African American Diaspora Studies
University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Mentorships
Next Gem Femme
Femme It Forward
Since 2023
Projects
Director | Riley's Hill
August 2021 - October 2022
A short student film which I wrote an original script for and directed. During 3 days of production I managed a crew of 10 as well as 2 actors. I was also responsible for both pre-production planning and the development of a visual concept as well as post-production editing and sound design.