Life, Values & Legacy: Our Chat with Makenna Perkal of East Side, LA

Makenna Perkal shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Makenna, we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: What are you being called to do now, that you may have been afraid of before?
I’m being called to make films and live all over the world—and for the first time, I’m ready to leap. Well, once I get a visa… and a plane ticket… and sell nearly everything I own (except my cat, Lola, of course). I could say those logistics held me back before, but the truth is simpler: I wasn’t ready to be happy. That scared me.

But not anymore. I’m embracing my joy with open arms.

I’ve realized that when we protect ourselves from pain, we also block the magic that comes with vulnerability. Things might not work out perfectly. I might fail, struggle, or face rejection in a country where I barely speak the language. But I’d rather risk heartbreak chasing my dreams than settle for comfort and mediocrity. Lola and I are setting off on an adventure—and for the first time in a long time, I’m not just hopeful, I’m truly excited. I’m ready. I’m allowing myself to be happy, and it turns out, that’s the most radical act of all.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hey y’all, I’m Makenna—an indie filmmaker from Austin, Texas. I write, direct, and produce film and television that aim to expand empathy and understanding. I’ve worn many hats to make it happen: a grateful assistant director, quirky scripty, or try-hard PA, I’m your girl.—you name it.

Founding my boutique production company, Anamorphosis Productions (www.anamorphosisproductions.com), marked a turning point. It was the moment I aligned with my higher purpose—to create art that helps us understand each other better and, hopefully, unite us in our shared humanity.

After seven years in Los Angeles, I’ve felt a shift in the industry and within myself. So I’m following an intuitive call to take my work abroad—expanding creatively and culturally. I believe that no matter where we come from, our emotions are universal. I want to collaborate with artists from around the world, learning, growing, and creating work that connects us on a deeper level.

Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
I’m releasing the part of myself that lived life in a constricted, overly cautious way. That version of me once provided safety—but I no longer need safety to define me. Now, I’m choosing freedom: listening to my intuition, my heart, and my spirit.

Hippie dippie? Maybe. Authentic to where I’m at? Definitely. I refuse to let fear hold me back from passion, or pain stop me from loving deeply. I’ve found a community that mirrors these values—a circle of creative souls who constantly challenge and uplift one another. Together, we’re building lives centered around creativity, service, and love. I’ve learned that a smaller, intentional circle supports the kind of quiet, meaningful life I want to live.

When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
For years, I struggled to extend empathy toward myself. When I launched Anamorphosis Productions, my mission was to tell stories that foster empathy for others. But five years in, I realized I hadn’t been practicing what I preached—I wasn’t offering that same grace to myself.

It was a humbling realization. I was writing about compassion and kindness while quietly tearing myself apart. And I knew that if empathy starts with how we treat ourselves, then I had work to do.

So, I began treating myself as someone I was responsible for nurturing—with patience, forgiveness, and care. That shift changed everything. As I healed, my creative work deepened. My stories became more honest, more human. I stopped just advocating for empathy and started embodying it. From the inside out.

Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Where are smart people getting it totally wrong today?
There are so many forms of intelligence—and yet, some of the most “successful” people lack emotional awareness. In a culture obsessed with productivity and profit, we often forget that people—not metrics—are what hold the world together.

When success is measured only in dollars, we lose sight of impact, integrity, and connection. But when we lead with empathy and community, everything changes.

I believe purpose is the fuel that keeps us going. When I focus on doing good, I shift from my head back into my body, from survival into alignment. This isn’t just idealism—it’s sustainability. When we act from purpose, we not only create better art, we become better humans.

Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
I’d stop caring what other people think. It doesn’t serve me, and it doesn’t create genuine connection. Authenticity is the foundation of real relationships, and I strive to live in that truth as often as possible.

That doesn’t mean oversharing or being reckless—it means showing up honestly, without pretense. Caring too much about perception is a cage; authenticity is the key that sets us free.

And art—art is what binds us together. When we create from truth, we give others permission to do the same. We build bridges across our differences. We remind each other that we belong to something greater.

I’m endlessly grateful to contribute to that kind of unity—one story, one film, one human connection at a time.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.makennaperkal.com, www.anamorphosisproductions.com
• Instagram: @girlcantgoogle, @anamorphosisproductions
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/makenna-perkal-497898190/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/anamorphosis.productions
• Other: Anamorphosis Productions Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/anamorphosisproductions
  www.anamorphosisproductions.com