Rising Stars: Meet Kya Knudsen of Los Angeles CA

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kya Knudsen.

Hi Kya, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Believe it or not ever since I was little I actually wanted to be a chef and peruse a career in the culinary arts industry. During high school I began to doubt that that was all I wanted to do. I had always enjoyed photography and would watch movies every night with my parents. I went through many health issues as a kid and movies were always a huge comfort for me. During high school I played with the idea of maybe being able to make a movie of my own someday. Being from a small town in Washington state with no connections into the industry made me make some big choices.That led me to major in film directing at Biola University. Though I have just recently graduated I have already made several projects of all sorts. Though being in film is not something I ever thought I would do I believe it is something I have grown to be very passionate about. Movies like Eddie the Eagle, The Worlds Fastest Indian, Get Out, Alice and Wonderland, and Harry Potter are films that I someday hope to be able to create something just as impactful. With the struggling industry based on all connections it has been difficult, but regardless I will continue to create and make my own projects. I still hope to own my own cafe in the future, but film has also become a main part in my life and I will continue to work my way into the industry.

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?
Being from Spokane Washington where there is no film industry has been difficult. I grew up not knowing anyone who did film and had no one to help me to find work. It is still difficult to secure jobs as everything is based on connections and many people are moving past Hollywood, but regardless I keep pushing.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a recently graduated filmmaker that graduated with a BA in directing. Being a creative personality means I also have many hobbies and interests. Cooking, baking, traveling, and dance to name a few. Using all of these and intertwining them into my love for film is what I hope to further peruse. I have produced, directed and edited music videos of my own and hope to continue along with several short films and commercials.

Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
The question what makes me happy may seem like I am going to say film first and foremost, but my number one answer will always be my family. My parents and my sister are my inspirations and my cheerleaders in every project and every thing I do. Weather it’s film, cooking, traveling or anything, nothing beats being with my family and getting to be home where I grew up.

Pricing:

• My commercial and videographer freelance work varies in price

Contact Info:

• Instagram: KyaK123
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kya-knudsen-126083292

Image Credits
Olipop photo and boxing photo – Olipop spec commercial and short boxing film available on my instagram
Gianni Dominguez in photo Vicki Lalane cinematographer
family photo – Jack and Kari Knudsen my parents Jaida Knudsen my sister and Thomas Wearing my brother in law
monitor photo with dancers – shot by Naylah Jobe starting 5 dancers soon to be released
other monitor photo – commercial with Exit 14 Productions
on set photo – Vicki Lalane, Gavin Sayles, Jacob Lancaster
girl in dark photo- Aysia Johnson a main dancer in music video called Feeling Good on my instagram shot by Vicki Lalane.