What’s your business name and what do you do?
Our name is BlakQuail Productions and we are a Women & Minority owned Creative Production company - specializing in Video & Photography. We create videos for brands focusing on beauty and storytelling.
How did you learn your craft?
I learned film editing the old fashioned way. I started in the vault room working the tape decks (just aged myself there) learning all there was to know about the mechanics of it all. I worked my way up to assistant editor and about 8 years ago I became an editor. I’ve worked on everything from big budget superbowl commercials to small business campaigns to documentaries and television shows. I feel like editing and film making in general is a lot of learning on the job. There’s always something new being created, new trends, new styles. The beauty of this industry is that originality really pays off and you have the freedom to express yourself through your work.
What do you enjoy most about what you do?
Being creative! I love working with beautiful footage and weaving the imagery into a story. Meeting new people and collaborating to make a video the best it can be. Bouncing ideas off of each other and trying it is such an exciting part of the process. I’ve literally jumped up for joy before because something we tried ‘just for the hell of it’ came out so sick!
What do you enjoy least?
Genuinely. Not being busy. I’m sure as a creative yourself you understand the urge to just go out there and make more stuff!
What’s one thing you wish people knew about your work?
That we want to create to uplift the small businesses, communities and organizations that have a story to be told. Everyone has a gift they give to this world and so many have had to overcome so much to be able to share it. It is through knowledge that we feel empowered and through understanding that we can develop empathy.
What do you do when you’re not creating?
Spending time with my family. Being a mom has helped me connect to my inner child in so many ways. I’ve always had a playful personality so it’s been really fun letting that side of me shine.
Night owl or early bird?
Neither. I need all the sleep I can get!
What's your favorite place in Maine?
So far, Monhegan Island. A peaceful little mass of land off the coast of Maine where you feel like you’re far away in another country. We go there every year for our anniversary and will be spending an entire weekend there this year.