

Today we’d like to introduce you to Alexander McKee.
Alexander, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Like countless others, my journey into the world of filmmaking began with the classic spark of watching a movie with wide eyes, a dropped jaw, and the roadmap of my life suddenly and firmly in mind. For me, it was seeing the rerelease of the original “Star Wars” in 1997 at the age of four.
To this day, I am still so grateful that I knew what I wanted my life to be from such a young age. Since then, each step I have tried to take — both personal and professional — is to get to the place of making feature-length films. I feel like I grew up in the movie theater. It became a haven for me to disappear into another world, whether it was similar or fantastical compared to our own. I was inspired to one day create the same inspiration for others.
In middle school I began begging my friends to help with making movies — amazingly, they said yes. They are men, women, and people I am still so thankful to have had in my life. We toiled over homemade props and costumes and set out to have fun.
This wonderful process has evolved and continued to today — now, I am fortunate enough to be a full-time director of short films, commercials, and music videos.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
No, I can’t say it has been a smooth road, but then again, what goal worth attaining is easy? From a business perspective, I can understand why five years ago, no production company — let alone studio — would trust a 22-year-old with their budget, regardless of size.
The struggle was always how to secure reinvestment in myself. How do I get enough funds from Production Assistant work to fund my short films? Short films that I could use to promote myself and work as a director?
This became coupled with challenges at CSUN. I went there for two years but found that I was learning more during one weekend as a PA than I was in an entire semester of a film class. Leaving college was a challenge — in a community like the one I grew up in, the appearance of stability and happiness is oftentimes more important than happiness itself.
I knew there would be whispers and those who would look down on me, but I suddenly found myself with infinite more time to do what I love — I recognized that so few people get to be supported in taking that chance. My parents and dearest friends were with me all the way, cheering me on when I wasn’t sure if I could push myself. All those steps, decisions, and sacrifices have led me to where I am in my career today, and I wouldn’t trade an ounce of it for anything.
Please tell us about Dawn Chaser Media.
Dawn Chaser Media essentially began as fancy marketing tool. Rather than sending prospective clients YouTube or Vimeo links, directing them to my website just felt better. But as I began to develop the logo and set up a lawyer and accountants, I began to think of the long term goals I could achieve. Though still young by directing standards, there are those younger than me who need the same trust and platform that I am still looking for.
To me, Dawn Chaser Media is about chasing the dream. It is a core belief that each and every day I can better myself creatively and better myself as a person. As things progress, my goal is to help lend a voice as a Producer to those who deserve their stories told.
Hollywood is a business above all, and sadly, many stories are deemed unmarketable. I refuse to believe that there are souls out there who don’t need to see the stories that have been kept under wraps.
My desire to set myself apart is also my desire to get those stories told.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
If I had to start over, I would have allowed myself to breathe, quiet my mind, and above all, be kinder to my mind and soul.
Young filmmakers always want to be impressive. They want to be flashy — rather than original — because that’s what we’re taught that Hollywood looks for. Given how people can blow up on social media now and suddenly become a household name, I can’t imagine what overly visual pressure feels like.
Films stand out when we see a story that we connect to. We are living in an era that is frighteningly disconnected. and we are therefore looking for the things that tie us together.
To create that, we need to feel that within ourselves. When I was younger, I felt far too disconnected from the man I wanted to be — I made movies that I thought people wanted to see when the key is to make movies (or music, art, anything that speaks to you) that YOU want to see.
I believe we need to create the stories that we feel we need to see. Why not us? Why not you? Those are the questions I wish I had asked myself years and years ago.
Contact Info:
- Address: 638 Lindero Canyon Road. #231
Oak Park, CA 91377 - Website: https://dawnchasermedia.com
- Phone: 8184267255
- Email: alexander@dawnchasermedia.com
- Instagram: alexandermckeefilms
Suggest a story: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.