Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephanie Bell.
Hi Stephanie, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My life has literally been a voyage to and from LA (see what I did there?) I was born in Los Angeles but my parents drove across the country to Michigan when I was young. I came back to visit family every summer and planned for my returned after high school. I always knew I’d move back. Even when no one believed I could. I had a full-ride scholarship with no college acceptance letters, but I had faith. I moved from Pontiac, Michigan to Los Angeles in 2015 to attend Santa Monica College. I fell in love with media and film studies and decided to pursue filmmaking. I worked on short films with friends, captured local events and began working with different brands as a content creator using storytelling to promote products. During this time, I became interested in photography and started shooting portraits of friends on the weekends. As my passion grew for cameras, I decided to pursue photography as a career and made decent money photographing products and various different clients. Every semester I was applying for different film schools and receiving rejections letters. I ended up attending Loyola Marymount University where I received my BA in Journalism. During my time at LMU, I produced an award-winning short documentary called Defending our Crowns which is about natural hair discrimination that Black women face in Hollywood. The success of the documentary created the opportunity for me to grace the cover of LMU Magazine and helped me get accepted at USC where I am now pursuing my MFA in Film and TV Production.
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?
It hasn’t always been a smooth road. Getting into the film industry is not easy. Getting into film school is not easy! I learned this when I was applying for USC’s film program in undergrad and got rejected 3 times. I applied for the film program at Loyola Marymount University and was rejected there as well. I felt like an outsider in most of my film courses because I was typically the only Black girl in my classes and always the only Black girl interested in the cameras. I didn’t feel like I belonged because I could not relate to my white male classmates who geeked out over films that I had never seen. I’ve also struggled with having many interests in an industry that pressures you to stay in one lane. I often have to to remind myself that I have a lot to offer and I can do it all. I am a photographer AND a filmmaker. I am interested in cinematography, directing AND editing. I am interested in documentary, narrative AND commercials. I love all things fashion, beauty and leopard print. I have many stories to tell and I will tell them all one way or another. As I have been seeking mentorship and role models who have done everything that I want to do, I haven’t found anyone who has created a road map for me to follow. No one in my family has pursued a career in film either so I’m really figuring out everything on my own and curating my own path.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a storyteller. The medium that I use for storytelling changes often but primarily, I am a photographer and filmmaker who enjoys telling stories that uplift women and represent the Black community. I specialize in visual storytelling so photography, cinematography and editing are what I thrive at. I enjoy documenting moments in time, creating memories and most importantly making people feel good.
I believe I am best known for my use of color and that way that I photograph Black women. I like my work to have a vibrancy and brightness to them. I want my subject to look lively and beautiful but most of all, I want them to FEEL beautiful. The relationships that I build with my clients during our one or two hours of shooting time is dedicated to making them look and feel their best with hopes that those feelings with stick with them well beyond our shooting time.
I am most proud of my documentary, Defending our Crowns. I never expected it to get as much attention as it did. I’m happy that I was able to share the stories of 3 Black women that many other people were able to relate to and learn from.
What sets me apart from others is my creative eye, my personality and my independence. Whenever someone tells me I can’t do something I ask why not and prove to them that it can be done. I’m not easily persuaded to fit into a box and I am always happy to experiment with new ideas.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
I love that Los Angeles has so much culture and opportunity. Everything you need is here. I love that South Central feels like home to me. Although I didn’t grow up here, I have my community of close relatives and curated family that keeps me grounded. Most of all I love the ocean. Having access to the ocean is something that I don’t take for granted. Growing up in a small industrialized city like Pontiac makes me appreciate the mountains, the valleys and the sea. Every day I’m inspired to do more so that I can grant the opportunity for young people who grew up in small cities like it did to see how big the world is.
What I dislike the most is the traffic, haha! It’s really horrible. I also dislike seeing so many people on the streets who aren’t provided the proper help that they need. Homelessness is a huge problem in Los Angeles and it’s really heartbreaking. I wish I could help everyone.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.stephbproductions.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/stephbproductions
- Youtube: https://youtu.be/JBgzCUiTFjg
- Other: Defending our Crowns https://youtu.be/xMawIm9RcMI
Image Credits
Summer Simone, Stephanie Bell, StephB Productions
