Meet Warren Purfoy of Santa Clarita, California

Today we’d like to introduce you to Warren Purfoy.

Hi Warren , it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I was born and raised in Compton, Ca. I also grew up in Watts and South Central LA. My child hood was insanely rough and challenging, it was pure survival. My family was very poor and didn’t have much. As a child, I was in and out of foster care because my parents couldn’t take care of us well enough. We also moved from shelter to shelter and motel to motel. Growning up out there made me a very tough individual. I come from a family of Crips so being tough and holding your own was mandatory. My younger sisters and I eventually got taken away from my parents for good by the courts. That’s when life started to take a turn. We were placed in Pomona where I attended Pomona high school. At that time I was diagnosed with bone cancer when I was 14. I was sent to LA County General Hospital for chemotherapy treatment. This definitely took a toll on me along with my family and friends. It was tough not knowing if I was going to take my last breath in that hospital. The chemo made my hair fall out while also making me super sick. I eventually had to have a bone graft surgery. They had to take the bone out of my leg and put it in my arm. So I live with what I call my “Victory Scars”. Once I turned 18 years of age, I ran away from the foster home and found my parents. This was purely god guiding me because I had no phone, no directions, just a trash bag full of clothes. I eventually found my older sisters apartment in Long Beach. When she saw me arrive at her doorstep, it was as if she saw a ghost. I eventually moved in with my older brother in Canoga Park. He helped me get a job so that I could start making money for myself. God always has a plan and this is where his plan became a bit more clear to me. It was when I met who is now my wife Kellie of 21 years. When we got married, my father in law got me in to the motion picture industry. His name was Bill Silic. Bill taught me everything I know today about lighting. He was my mentor, friend, and most of all stepped in as a father figure for me in which I never had before. Bill eventually helped me start my own lighting business in 2019 (Purfoy Lighting). Throughout my years in this industry, I was able to start climbing the ladder and started working with some of the best cinematographers in the business. This was achieved through pure skill set, professionalism, honesty, and likability. I’ve always been a fighter and a mentally strong person ever since I was a kid. But now I fight in a different type of way. My fight is doing my job well with hard work ethic, and executing my job to the fullest extent. This fight allows me to provide for my family, my wife Kellie, my son Tristan, and my daughter Faith. I would never want my kids to go through what I had to go through and endure as a kid. I always hope that my story will inspire others to never give up no matter what hand they were dealt as a kid. And to always keep faith no matter what your religious beliefs are. We’re all human at the end of the day and deserve a chance at a better life.
-Warren Purfoy

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
My struggle along the way in the film industry was trying to figure out if I really belonged or fit in. I eventually got my answer, I belonged here doing what I love.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
My job is to light film sets, actors/actresses. I specialize in high end lighting design for each individual film set. Each film set has its own personality in which I need to match with my lighting approach. Ive worked on movies with J.K. Simmons, Jamie Fox, Chris Rock etc. I’ve also worked on countless high profile music videos, commercials, interviews etc. I’m most proud of being where I am today. And I think what sets me apart from others is my background.

Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
I would definitely give props and credit to my wife and kids for hanging in there with me. My work days and hours can be really long at times. They understand how important my job is for us all.