Today we’d like to introduce you to Krystal Bolden.
Hi Krystal, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
When I truly sit back and reflect on my journey, I see that my love of storytelling began in kindergarten with a teacher who saw potential in me before I fully recognized it in myself. I did not attend preschool, and when I entered kindergarten, I was behind many of my classmates in reading and writing. My teacher, Ms. Sharan, invested tremendous time and effort in helping me develop those skills and making sure I could read and write alongside my peers. Her dedication not only helped me catch up academically but it also ignited a love of storytelling through writing that has stayed with me throughout my life.
When my dad gave me his JVC Compact VHS camcorder, I discovered that stories could move beyond the written page, that scripts could be brought to life on screen through actors, imagery, sound, and editing, I was hooked. I studied film in college and realized that it offered a unique language through which I could communicate ideas, emotions, and experiences in ways that could reach people on a deeper level.
My passion for storytelling grew into a career in film and video production. I gained experience throughout the production process and eventually discovered that I didn’t just want to make films; I wanted to help others discover their own voices and learn how to tell meaningful stories. I began going on mission trips and documenting the experience through video to share the wonderful things we were doing to positively impact people’s lives and encourage more volunteers to come on these trips. The response to those videos were moving.
My love for film ultimately led me to teaching it. I wanted to make the same kind of investment in a student that Ms. Sharan had made in me. She could have simply seen a child who was behind, but instead, she saw someone worth investing in. That experience shaped my understanding of what an educator can mean in a student’s life. I wanted to provide that same encouragement, mentorship, and opportunity to students who might not yet recognize their own potential.
For more than a decade, I have had the privilege of teaching film and television production, mentoring students, developing creative projects, and producing and directing independent films. I have also embraced emerging technologies and how they can be thoughtfully incorporated into the filmmaking process and the classroom.
Today, I see myself as a missionary, educator and filmmaker My work in the classroom and my work as a storyteller continually inform one another. Whether I’m helping a student make their first film or developing one of my own projects, I’m passionate about using storytelling to entertain, inspire, challenge perspectives, and connect people.
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?
The road definitely has not been a smooth one. There have been moments when I questioned whether there was a path forward at all or whether I had reached a dead end. Establishing a sustainable career in the film industry can be challenging for anyone, but as a woman of color, I have also experienced the additional barriers that can come with being underrepresented in the industry.
That under-representation has, at times, resulted in my expertise and experience being questioned, my professional recommendations being overlooked, disparities in compensation and recognition, and limited access to film financing and industry resources. At one point, I was even told that I should find a “real” career because women in film do not become successful. While experiences like these were discouraging, they ultimately strengthened my determination to continue pursuing filmmaking on my own terms.
I realized that if I wanted to sustain a career as a filmmaker, I could not rely solely on the traditional pathways into the industry. I needed to create opportunities and build a path of my own. As a result, I began intentionally building relationships with people who shared a commitment to storytelling and who understood the importance of creating opportunities where traditional structures did not always provide them: other underrepresented filmmakers, industry advocates, and my students.
Together, we have built the production company, CrossNet Pictures, based on collaboration, mutual support, and a shared belief in one another’s creative potential. Through that network, we have been able to gain access to resources, create opportunities, and continue telling stories despite the barriers we have encountered.
That approach has allowed me to continue growing as a filmmaker. Since then, I have had the opportunity to make multiple feature films and short films, while also helping others pursue their own filmmaking dreams. What began as an effort to create my own pathway has evolved into a community where we support one another, share resources, and celebrate each other’s accomplishments.
In many ways, that has become one of the most meaningful parts of my journey, not simply finding a way forward for myself, but helping to create a pathway forward for others as well.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a filmmaker, educator and missionary. I specialize in independent film production, directing, producing, screenwriting, visual storytelling, and mentoring emerging filmmakers. I have worked across the filmmaking process, which allows me to approach projects not only from a creative perspective but also with an understanding of the practical challenges involved in actually getting a film made.
I am most proud of the work that I have done with my students. Some of the projects we have worked on have gotten distribution and can be found on streaming platforms
Avander: https://tubitv.com/movies/607613/avander
Reina of the West: https://tubitv.com/movies/100019756/reina-of-the-west
Lucid Movie Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5o0TTvUj5w
Avander Feature Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUXzjU0q5gE
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
A lot times success is defined by how much money and fame can be acquired, however; I believe true success is how much impact and freedom your work can give others.
For me, success is having the freedom to continue telling meaningful stories while creating opportunities for others to find and develop their own voices. Sometimes success is simply refusing to give up when the traditional path tells you that you cannot move forward. It is finding another way, building a community, and helping others along the way.
As an educator and filmmaker, one of the greatest measures of success for me is seeing my students and collaborators accomplish things they once believed were beyond their reach. If I can use what I have learned to open a door for someone else, inspire them to tell their story, or give them the confidence to pursue their creative ambitions, then I consider that success.
Pricing:
- STARTER — $1,500
- PROFESSIONAL — $3,000
- PREMIUM — $5,000–$7,500
Contact Info:
- Website: https://tubitv.com/fr-ca/movies/607613/avander
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/krystalbfilming?igsi=Z2tnczlkazE0am5r
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/krystal.d.bolden/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/krystal-bolden-b2781121
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@crossnetpictures9157/featured
- Other: https://tubitv.com/fr-ca/movies/100019756/reina-of-the-west
