Today we’d like to introduce you to Courtney Geiger.
Courtney , we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My journey to becoming an artist started just over sixteen years ago at the tender age of twelve years old. That was when I first fell in love with visual storytelling. I would watch old sitcoms like “I Love Lucy” and “I Dream of Jeannie” as well as films on the TCM channel ad nauseam. Looking back, watching all of those films and tv shows really gave me a great understanding of film history all before I really even knew what film history was. During that time in my life, I wasn’t yet creating my own work, but I was absorbing so much great cinema and visual storytelling that I still draw on today. It wasn’t until I reached college and took my first video art class that I really started making my own work. All throughout college, I made a range of work including: video art pieces, video art installations, fine art photographs, and a web series. In college is when I started to get really serious about my self as an artist. Because I didn’t go to a college that had a proper “film program”, I took every opportunity to make films/videos that I could–both in class and outside of class. Lacking a formal “film school” education, I basically took the reigns of my own development as a filmmaker/artist and taught myself a lot about the craft and technique of filmmaking, screenwriting, and photography during those years. Looking back, I realize how critical that part of my journey to becoming an artist actually was. Having to teach myself a lot about the technical side of filmmaking, photography, screenwriting, etc. made me develop a clear voice for my work and visual style that I still rely in my work today. After college, I returned to my home state of South Carolina for a few years where I continued making work. There, I completed my first feature film entitled Clout. Making Clout was a labor of love to say the least. Up until then, I had never made a film that long completely independently, so when I finished it I felt very proud and accomplished personally and creatively. Making my first feature, I was also able to create a really robust community of friends and fellow artists that I’m still in touch with today, which means just as much to me as actually completing the film itself. After I finished Clout, I decided to finally take the leap and make the move to LA to pursue filmmaking more seriously. Since coming out here, I’ve continued to expand my artistic practice. So, in addition to filmmaking and screenwriting, I’ve expanded my storytelling into fashion/editorial photography and poetry, and even some model. I’m really enjoying staying open creatively and seeing where art takes me next!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The journey for me has definitely had its ups and downs. Even making the leap to come to LA was a bumpy road, and continuing to stay here has been equally, if not more bumpy. That said, the biggest struggle for me has been just figuring out how to continue making work consistently and getting more visibility for my work while maintaining a livelihood for myself. That alone naturally comes with a host of struggles and setbacks. However, I can say that I have grown from all the obstacles I’ve faced and it’s both made me stronger personally and expanded/enriched my voice as an artist.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a filmmaker, screenwriter, and photographer. However, overall I like refer to myself as an artist because my work can take many forms including (but not limited to): video art, short films, feature films, short stories, poetry, photographs (fine art and editorial) to name a few. I generally allow the concept or idea for the project to dictate what form it would be best to show the work in. Therefore, me as the creator of the work, I end up working in a range of art forms. Overall, I’d say that story telling, written or visual is at the core of what I do creatively, so, in short I’m a storyteller.
I’d say I specialize in filmmaking/screenwriting just because that’s where my artistic practice really started. That’s the core of all my visual and written work. It’s also the form I’ve spent the longest time honing my skills in. Those who know me, know me mainly from filmmaking/screenwriting although, I’ve begun to pick up some traction as a photographer so I’m quickly moving into that arena as well.
The work I’m most proud of is my narrative and video art filmmaking. Those forms not only require a lot of me creatively, they require a lot of me non-creatively as well. When you write/direct your own films, you’re not only the creative lead, you’re also oftentimes leading/coordinating the entire production (at least in my case) so you get to bring your full self to creating that kind of work. I also like that filmmaking is a direct reflection of my own perspective and experiences. That form in particular really allows my to put my own voice out there. Speaking of voices, that’s what I fell separates my work apart from others. I really rely on my own perspective of the world when I make work, so when you watch a film of mine or read something I wrote, it feels specific to me. and my identity. My work of late most closely fits into the satire, drama, dark comedy genres, but that’s not to say that’s where my work will always be. Story and concept are queen to me, so when I combine that with my perspective, I always create unique, memorable, stand alone works.
Any big plans?
My plans for the future are to continue making great work and to continuing growing and evolving as an artist. I recently completed the script for my second feature film which I’m very excited about. I want to direct/produce that film and bring it to the big screen!
On the photography track, I plan on stepping into creative directing. I love shooting fashion/editorial work, so I’d love to see my work in print in a magazine someday. At the moment, I’m open to shooting with new clients and as always, I’m open to working with new collaborators.
As far as long term plans, one day I’d like to have my own production company complete with all kinds of programs to help filmmakers/screenwriters and other artists hone their skills and bring their projects to life.
Contact Info:
- Website: Photography Portfolio Website: https://courtneygeigerphotography.my.canva.site/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/geiger_courtneyart/?hl=en
- Youtube: Video Art Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdYa7OnYdZrGEbqvNfsgAog/videos?view_as=subscriber
- Other: Clout (Feature Film): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_VpxK4q1Jk
Image Credits
Photo #1 (Photo of Me):
Photographer: Kenneth Stipe
Photo #2 (Green Scarf):
Model: Desiree Alameda
Photographer: Courtney Geiger
Photo #3 (Western):
Model: Carlos Cipriano
HMUA: Sarah Hill, Represented by Patrick Santa Ana Studio Agency
Photographer: Courtney Geiger
Photo #4 (Cigarette w/ Red Lip Stains):
Model: Omer Mansano
HMUA: Clara Green
Photographer: Courtney Geiger
Photo #5 (Abstract Painting):
Models: Carlos Cipriano and Yasmeen
HMUA: Clara Green
Photographer: Courtney Geiger
Photo #6 (Glamour Portrait):
Model: Taylor Holland
HMUA: Clara Green
Photographer: Courtney Geiger
Photo #7 (Lightening Beauty Shot):
Model: Yasmeen
MUA: Jess
Photographer: Courtney Geiger
Photos #8-9 (Film Still from Clout)
Actress: Martina Kaura as “Vada”
Director: Courtney Geiger
