Rising Stars: Meet Kase Peña

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kase Peña.

Hi Kase, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I started off attending film school in NYC. When I was a junior, I began interning and working on sets as a production assistant. After graduating film school, I continued to work on film sets. All along, I’ve always known that I wanted to write and direct. So I made short films in between my PA film gigs. At first, like anything and anyone else, my films sucked. But I kept at it. What motivated me was that although my early films were mediocre, each film I made improved vastly from the one I had previously made. That confirmed that I was getting better and growing as a filmmaker. Some things that helped tremendously, in addition to attending film school and working on film sets, was becoming a serious photographer and taking various acting classes. After many years at my craft, I’ve arrived at a point where my works is incredibly strong, real and raw AF. You don’t watch my work and say, “That’s a director who’s still learning,” you say, “That’s a director who clearly knows what they’re doing.”

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?
Of course, it hasn’t been a smooth road. I’m a transgender woman of color from inner-city New York and I have no access to privilege whatsoever. I don’t have an Executive Producer nor showrunner who’s championing me, holding my hand and helping to elevate me. This world, most especially this industry, wasn’t built with trans people of color in mind. There are no programs in the TV/Film industry that specifically target and is designed to help members of my community. The firm grasp that white cisgender straight people (both men and women) have had over this industry since its inception truly hurts people like me from opportunities others are afforded simply because. At the same time, I am excited because I see that some changes have arrived and continue to improve every day. Unlike yesterday, today, someone like me stands a strong chance and having their artistic voice heard. I, for one, know very well that I am well on my way. It’s taken a long time because I’ve had no support… Yet, still, I am on my way.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a writer, director who writes real stories that are, in one way or another, based on my life experiences. I am yet to write something that’s based on someone else’s existing material, be it a book, a short story, another film or what have you. Throughout my life, I’ve accomplished far too much to be most proud about just one thing. Having said that, something I am extremely proud of is: TRANS LOS ANGELES, the feature film that I’m working on at the moment. I have completed half of it and I am now getting ready to complete the other half. I am excited about sharing this film with the world once it’s ready to do so. I will keep everyone posted.

Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
Maybe not learned, but strong reminders of certain things I’ve had a tendency to forget in the past, and that, moving forward, I don’t think I will ever forget again., is taking life and a few of its simplicities for granted. For example, due to Covid, I lost so many privileges I never thought I ever would, such as having to stand in line for over two hours to enter a supermarket; having my gyms closed and suddenly having to workout at home and not liking that at all. If there is one thing I learned during the pandemic, and this may be trivial to some, is that I cannot work out from home. I have to go my yoga and pilates studio and work out there.