Today we’d like to introduce you to Emma Evans.
Emma, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
When I was almost 14, as I returned home from one of the most demanding summer ballet intensives of my life, I was incredibly hyped up for my future, and I was sure of one thing – it would not be as a professional dancer.
The last few years have been a journey that I never could have anticipated but am eternally grateful for. Now a high school senior, I can also call myself a filmmaker, model, actor, and singer.
When my journey into the filmmaking industry began, I was dancing almost 15 hours a week, training in classical ballet. I had always had an interest in film but was comfortable in dance, which had been a part of my life since I was three. I figured, as a 14 years old, I was too late to try and get into acting, as most people had been training as long as I had been training as a dancer. But I stayed dancing for the wrong reasons, and when I finally admitted to myself that I didn’t love it the way I once had, I took the leap and dived into my new passion. Stepping out of my comfort zone became one of the most important things I ever did and continues to bring me to my latest and greatest opportunity.
About two weeks into my first acting camp I got the opportunity to do some fashion modeling. About six months into acting classes, I began to take filmmaking classes as well. I saw people come and go quite often, but I realized that I had something they didn’t – determination. Having always been a goal-oriented person, I spent time where I needed to and made good impressions and connections that would help me get to my finish line.
After writing and directing my first budgeted short in the spring of my sophomore year, I had a newfound confidence. Soon after that, I was working as a content creator for numerous people on social media. The next short I directed (and starred in) screened at SXSW 2019. I also received a nomination for Best Original Score at the All American High School Film Festival 2019 for another film. My best friend and colleague Alex Dekelbaum directed a short that I produced and acted in which screened at festivals nationwide, and I was even nominated for an acting award in London. I realized that people were starting to take notice of me because I had more behind my name than most people my age.
I worked on my first professional feature film set when I was 16. I was just a lowly production assistant, but I took the job seriously and in response people seemed to start taking me seriously as well, and I was even credited as prop master for my work. I have since filled roles like producer, still photographer, and first assistant director, learning more with every role and gaining confidence and connections.
Aside from my growing love for the narrative film industry, I’m a frequent photographer of all types – landscape, portrait, you name it. It’s a completely different creative process from my work in film, and that’s why I love it. I also appreciate others’ creativity and styles through my independent modeling work. Additionally, as of late, I am a recording artist and release music fairly frequently on Spotify and Soundcloud. I often score my films as I have such a love for music. I’ve played piano since I was five and music has always been a part of my life, and again it gives me a completely different creative insight into how to tell stories.
This all brings me to where I am today – that is, busy. I have started to brand my work under the name “Neon Shark Media” to establish a company that I hope to expand around my work over the next few years. With music-making such a comeback in my life, along with dance always having a place in my heart, I’m working on developing a feature film & my directorial debut that centers around music. This passion project combines almost everything I’ve worked to build over my life; my passions, skills, connections, and knowledge will all play a part. But I’m hopeful to see what I’m able to achieve, as I hope my perseverance and kindness to others will help me gather a strong team that are passionate about helping me bring my story to life.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
The most difficult thing I’ve had to deal with is my age. Being a minor is very limiting in quite a number of ways, not to mention the fact that I’m still in high school which greatly limits my schedule. Pressure from my school and parents serves as a constant reminder that I have to keep up my academics in order to go to college. It took many years of incredibly late nights and nonstop work, but I didn’t let my schoolwork fall through and now have the chance to attend university in LA. But I was constantly overwhelmed because as my mentors made sure I kept up with academics, I made sure I kept up with the one thing that never fails to bring me genuine joy – film. There have been a few people along the way that have begun to see me as more than just a kid, but I’ve had to work a lot harder and longer to gain that sort of trust in people.
I’m pretty sure I’m the only person in the industry who’s ever had to deal with the process of hiring minors while still being a minor. I’m pretty convinced not many people trying to start a production company have had to put stuff off until their 18th birthday so they could legally register it under their name. Now that I am finally 18, it feels good to be able to sign my own forms. But there’s definitely still challenges in getting people to have faith in me and my capabilities as someone who’s almost always the youngest person in the room. However, I’m really grateful to have had to deal with this in pursuing my dreams, because it has forced me to become a problem solver and a fighter. The only way I’ve been able to enter the professional world at my age is by proving to people that I am a professional. I think I’ve finally reached the stage where I feel prepared to tackle the industry, make a name for myself and not let people take me for granted.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
I created my business as a way to unify the many creative endeavors I’m a part of. As an individual, I do a lot of commercial photography and videography for many types of occasions. My equipment is professional enough to allow me to be a competitor to other businesses simply as an individual. I also produce a podcast along with frequent short films. I hope to start producing music videos as well, to go along with my growing singing career. I hope to grow my company greatly over the years, but I want it to be the kind of place where anyone can come to pursue any type of creative project. I know better than anyone that one person is capable of all sorts of art and each one brings a different benefit to one’s character and happiness. I see nothing but positives resulting from people who pursue numerous creative avenues and I hope to continue connecting and working with people who operate the same way.
What were you like growing up?
I told my parents when I was five that I wanted to be a neurosurgeon. My updated career path couldn’t be further from that, which may have initially come as a disappointment to my parents. I danced and played piano from a very young age, but was also quite studious. I studied a year ahead in my math classes and won regional math competitions. On the flip side, I was often cast as the lead in the school plays and was constantly on stage for something, whether it was a play or a dance recital. I had a lot less on my plate back then, but it definitely set the foundations for my strengths in and balance between both academic and creative tasks. I used to be absolutely terrified of dogs, which was ironic because I was one of the tallest girls in my grade, but when I got my golden retriever in second grade, I quickly got over that. Since then, I have absolutely loved dogs, particularly mine!
Contact Info:
- Website: neonsharkmedia.com
- Phone: 817-897-3884
- Email: emma@neonsharkmedia.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/neonsharkmedia/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/neonsharkmedia/
Image Credit:
Carlos Vincent Photography, Jessica Bemis, SXSW
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