Today we’d like to introduce you to McKenzie Ousley.
McKenzie, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I have always loved movies and books. I used to write stories based on my version of popular movies. So, when I officially got into filmmaking at Texas State University, it was only fitting that I was influenced by a book. I read Taraji P. Henson’s memoir, “Around the Way Girl: A Memoir,” and everything changed. I read about how she decided to pursue her acting career and decided that I wanted to pursue something that was always a passion of mine: writing and movies.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Getting my film degree and becoming a director/writer was not easy. In school, I had to juggle 2-3 jobs at a time to be able to pay my bills. I was also a student full-time and making the dean’s list every semester. It felt like I often had to choose between getting a normal college experience and working.
I also had very bad social anxiety. It took all four years of school to build up my confidence and be proud of the person, and filmmaker, that I am. While the process was grueling, I’m glad to have made the friends and contacts that I have. I am very bad at networking, which is what film school needs to essentially be (outside of building your portfolio). But I am happy with everyone I still talk to and work with after graduating because I know the connections are genuine.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
While I went to school to learn how to write and direct films, and I have done that, I have also done so much more. I have done photography. Any kind of photoshoot you can think of? I’ve probably done it. Album covers, editorials, weddings, graduations, I’ve taken a LOT of photos in my day! I have also done some graphic design work, making social media posts for clients I do film work for. I have also designed album covers. And some days, I will pick up the camera myself and be the videographer.
My main bread and butter will always be directing though. I have done short films, music videos, and a web series. I love seeing words from a script brought to life on screen. I love seeing the hard work from every single person on set pay off in a beautiful shot. My head almost always processes everything as a movie: books, songs, real-life events. It’s hard to explain, but when your mind works like that, you have no choice but to listen to it and find a way to put the things you see in your head on a screen.
I’ve done a lot of client work across many avenues, so I’m always very happy when I get to work on my own projects. Getting to see something I’ve written be adapted into a film is great. I’m still getting started, so I have a lot more to learn and room to grow! But I’m always thinking outside of the box and pushing myself to do new things, so I know I will always be unique in that way.
What does success mean to you?
Success to me is being happy with the work you’ve done. If you can look at the final product of whatever you’ve spent all that time working on and you are happy with it? Then you’re successful.
That’s just in the theoretical sense, of course. In the literal sense, I would like to have a lot of money so that I can pay off all of the debt for myself and my family. I would like us to be able to build wealth for ourselves and future generations. I would think that would make us very successful.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/kenzo.film
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/directorkenz?igshid=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@kenzieousley
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@directorkenz?_t=8c5DvYHDCWI&_r=1
