We had the good fortune of connecting with Kathy Puder and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kathy, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
Because storytelling and creating stories has always been fun for me. Whether it’s writing stories, creating films, or helping kids learn to love reading, creative expression has always been a joy for me. In regards to filmmaking, it is so fun to see others bring the words that you have written on paper, to life.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Before getting involved in the film industry, I homeschool my children for 20 years. During that time, I published my children’s book. For the last 7 years, my youngest daughter and I, both have been involved in the film industry.

It is an honor to help bring stories to life so that people, (hopefully), will enjoy & be moved by them in some way. Some of the films I will make will be faith-based films & family friendly films.

Other types of film I will create, will hopefully help remind people about different parts of our American History, from people who served in wars that have helped protect our country, and some will help educate others about people & places that have been a part of some of USA’s culture as a whole. Instead of canceling what we don’t like, I hope we can enjoy learning (and remembering) some of the history that is what has made our country, our country.

Your ability to continue to move forward when others might not believe in you, or understand your vision, is vital & essential to you being able to succeed in whatever career, goals, or dreams you want to achieve. In other words, you have to believe that you can do it. On the back of my business card, I have a message I have printed on there to encourage others, as well as a reminder to myself. The message says, “IN ORDER TO CATCH A DREAM, YOU JUST HAVE TO CHASE IT!” So, it is you believing in yourself, ask God to guide your steps, and take action to catch your dreams.

I want to always create something that brings “new beginnings” into the lives of those who are either a part of the projects as actors, cast & crew, as well as the audience who watches it.

In regards to the historical projects I create, I hope that they help the audience to have a new appreciation for our country as well as their community, and bring new beginnings of understanding & appreciation for each other across our country while having fun helping to preserve pieces of our country’s history.

I want them to know that they can be a part of that, too!!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
First, I would always create an itinerary that is made up of places they want to see in the Atlanta and the surrounding area.If they are unsure or don’t have their own itinerary, I would take them to the Aquarium, possibly the Coca Cola Museum, downtown Woodstock (including Woofstock), and the Marietta Square. If they felt like going on a road trip, I would take them to Helen, Ga and Amicalola Falls. I would end the week by taking them for a relaxing ride in our boat on Lake Allatoona, and inviting them to my church, Piedmont Church in Marietta, Ga.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to give a shout, first, to God, our heavenly Father, along with my family: Cliff, Jackie, Codie, and Sydney for always encouraging me to move forward towards my goals & dreams. Also, I would like to give a shout out to Joe Williams for being a great friend & mentor, as well as connecting me with you all at The Shout-out Series. Lastly, I would like to give a shout out to two great leaders in my community: Pastor Ike Reighard and Marlon Longacre who do so much to help the Marietta/Acworth community.

Website: Email: Kathypuder@gmail.com

Image Credits
WW2 vet-Gail Halvorsen

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