Today we’d like to introduce you to Sunny Keller.
Hi Sunny, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My parents moved to Los Angeles from Chicago when I was two years old to pursue their artistic careers. As kooky creatives they found their place within the Studio City community. Together, they started Nary Dairy, one of the first vegan cheese businesses in the valley. We sold our product at farmer’s markets across the city – and I helped out with the samples. My mother, Lois Keller, left her mark on LAUSD with vibrant murals, transforming public schools like Carpenter Community Charter.
I began my art education young at Millikan Middle School in Sherman Oaks in the Cinematic Arts Department, run by the most amazing teacher, Karen Bennett. At age 11 we were learning the fundamentals of filmmaking by making short films regularly. During this period, I hosted the internet series Life Hacks for Kids, a DIY kids show on DreamworksTV’s YouTube channel. By the time I was a freshman in high school, the show garnered nearly a half-billion views and led to a book deal with Houghton Mifflin Publishing.
I quit the show to continue my cinematic education at LACHSA until transferring to Idyllwild Arts Academy in the San Jacinto mountains. Now, I’m pursuing my BFA at Emerson College’s new program, Global BFA in Film Art, where I study full-time in Paris.
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?
I’m so grateful to have come from a creative family where we support each other unconditionally. I encountered challenges during my school years, particularly from the pervasive competitiveness that took a toll on my mental well-being. Beginning my artistic endeavors at a young age brought its own set of pressures, as I felt a constant need to meet my own, often unattainably high, standards as a kid. It became clear that maintaining honesty with myself was crucial to understanding my limits, but has also become a cornerstone for creating more meaningful and authentic art.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I have a deep appreciation for magical realism, and my short films often follow the literal interpretation of the themes I explore. I find myself drawn to narratives that delve into childhood and the perspectives of children in the face of harsh realities. I think this stems from my own sense of remaining a child at heart, navigating the complexities of the adult world with a curious and ever-evolving outlook. Stop-motion animation has become my preferred medium, offering the satisfaction of constructing everything from the ground up according to my vision. My thesis film currently in preproduction will utilize paper cut-out animation in a fictional narrative about a pigeon questioning her feral life in the city.
I take on the roles of writer, director, and editor in the creation of my personal films. I’m always open to experimenting with new ideas and techniques; for instance, last year, I embraced the challenges of shooting on 16mm film while working with a four-year-old actor. It was an incredibly stressful but gratifying experience.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
Moving to Paris a month after graduating high school was the most rewarding risk I ever took. After living through a strict quarantine my senior year, I yearned for a completely new experience. I’d already gotten a pretty good picture of the LA film scene and I was eager to gain a more international perspective on cinema. Learning how to “adult” in a foreign country without knowing a lick of French was a pretty daunting challenge. Yet, it has pushed me to be more independent and out-going. The cultural immersion and the unfamiliarity of it all have been transformative, inspiring my creative drive in ways I hadn’t anticipated.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sunnyraekeller/
- Youtube: www.youtube.com/@sunnyraekeller
Image Credits
Keiran Ke, Martin Li, Maximiliano Battaglia
