Today we’re excited to be connecting with Bonnie Von Duyke again. If you haven’t already, we suggest you check out our prior conversation with them here.
Bonnie, always such a pleasure connecting with you and thank you for sharing your stories, insights and inspiring messages with our community. We’re looking forward to getting the download and what you have been up to since our last interview, but first can you briefly introduce yourself to folks who might have missed the prior conversation.
Hello there,
I am a film producer, violinist, and boxer. I love to create art and tell compelling stories. I think what sets me apart is that I dig very deeply into the heart of every story, every piece of art I’m working with in order to situate the audience in the world or frame of mind being communicated.
A huge highlight in my journey was meeting my uncle for the first time, Brian Dannelly, back in 2021. He had incredible advice for me to continue my work at the American Film Institute. Once I got in, it’s just been an incredible journey into collaboration and story telling.
I’m excited to be where I am today because I have a slate of projects ready to pitch and sell. I am in contact with amazing artists that want to work together all the time. I get to work with my friends, and this is still only just the beginning.
Great, so let’s jump into an update on what you have been up to since we last spoke. What can you share with us?
I’ve had such an impactful, difficult, and incredible 2024. I’m back now to finish out my last semester, but I had to leave AFI for a year for my own health. My step mother died suddenly of heart failure, my brother overdosed, and I was cheated on by someone I deeply trusted. All of this happening at once combined with my history of PTSD, put my health in question. It was a very difficult time for me to live through. I found ways by having support from incredible friends and family members, especially my father. I took a lot of time to process, reflect, and integrate my experiences before jumping back into the incredible chaos of filmmaking. But I’m back in LA and very excited to see where life takes me.
Alright, so let’s do something a bit more fast-paced and lighthearted. We call this our lightning round and we’ll ask you a few quick questions.
- Favorite Movie: Sound of Music
- Favorite Book: Bird By Bird
- Favorite TV Show: Fleabag
- Favorite Band or Artist: Esperanza Spaulding
- Sweet or Savory: Savory
- Mountains or Beach: Beach
- Favorite Sport (to watch): MMA
- Favorite Sport (to play): Kick Boxing
- Did you play sports growing up (if so which ones): Yes, boxing, kickboxing, and May Thai
- As a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up: an Astronaut
- French Fries or Onion Rings: Onion Rings
- Chuck Rhodes or Bobby Axelrod: Chuck Rhodes for sure
- Favorite Cartoon growing up: Bug Bunny
- Favorite Childhood movie: Princess Bride
- Favorite Breakfast Food: Bacon
When you look back on your life, what are three things you expect to be proud of?
I expect to be proud of the relationships I made with the people around me, the stories I encountered, and the moments of deep connection.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @bonnieviolinqueen
