Meet Keaton Clark | Director, Writer, Actor

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

Hi Keaton, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
Growing up as a kid, I was always a huge movie and TV nerd. I’ve always been fascinated with artistic storytelling using a visual medium. At a young age I was always thinking of performances and skits at school talent shows and church camp. I love the entertainment aspect, as well as the building of relationships to characters that evoke emotion and feelings to the audience to enjoy as a community. I love the way film and television can help one escape their everyday life, whatever they may be going through mentally, and make them feel apart of another world. Whether films or TV make you laugh or cry, there is always something humans can connect with to their own life and learn from, analyze and reference to in their future.

As a viewer, I love the feeling of comfort you build from characters when watching and rewatching your favorite movies and shows. And enjoying this with family, and friends as a community, laughing, crying, predicting, and analyzing together after.

Growing up in Indianapolis, Indiana I never realistically thought it was possible for me to make a living as a filmmaker. But moving to Atlanta has opened so many opportunities to collaborate and create with amazing, talented people. I have worked hard to be well rounded, but have found my biggest strengths and passion is writing, directing, acting, and also supporting other colleagues films as 1st Assistant Director.

The thing that fascinates me the most about filmmaking is, although people do not live forever, their visual art, performances and characters do. Long after people are gone, we can still relive and enjoy their stories, the time period, experience what someone looked like at that time, what their personality was like, their view on life, and their style of art, and that moment in time lives forever.

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.
Comedy is my biggest passion in filmmaking, nothing would be more fulfilling as a career than to make the world laugh. I’ve always been interested in what makes people laugh and what makes something funny. And I have learned that it is mostly, “someone doing something they are not equipped to do.” I have studied and made many comedy short films, and have learned that humor usually deals with identity, conflict, putting different types of characters together in uncomfortable situations, and all about timing. I also enjoy making psychological thriller films that deal with unpredictability of characters and plot. And so excited to keep growing and making more films like these.

I’ve grown as a filmmaker by learning from my mistakes, and being observant of others mistakes and trying not to make the same going forward. I think the biggest lesson I’ve learned in this industry so far, is it’s about who you know and work with. You cannot make a movie by yourself, it is a team effort. And finding other filmmakers that you collaborate well with, and share the same passions as you is imperative. It is the best feeling to be laughing and enjoying one another on set during the process, and can feel like family. Although the preparation, finances, and deadlines are very stressful, after all, making movies is supposed to be fun, and there’s nothing else I’d rather be doing.

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.
In Atlanta on a nice day you have to check out Piedmont Park and enjoy the beautiful city views, as well as walk the BeltLine. For food you have to try the famous wing spot: JR Crickets, Park 27 for Korean BBQ, Hankook Taqueria for a Korean-Mexican fusion spot, and my favorite; La Grotta for the best Italian meal. My friends like to go to 97 Estoria for cheap drinks and outdoor seating, as well as the Whelan for playing pool. Catching a Braves game at the Battery is a blast with good food, drinks, and live music options. I also love standup comedy shows at Laughing Skull lounge, the Punchline, and go-carting at Andretti’s in Kennesaw.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I wouldn’t be where I am or be in such a lucky position to be able to pursue my dreams without my family. My mom and dad are the two hardest working people I know, and have always instilled that work ethic while raising me. They always pushed me to be hardest worker in the room, and to always chase what I was passionate about. As I get older I realize how blessed I am to have that kind of support when chasing such a daunting, challenging, and competitive profession.

I think they have some belief in me to work in the filmmaking industry, after hearing my brother and I quote movie lines to each other nailing every detail my whole childhood. I was also lucky to have an older brother to introduce so may films to me growing up, as I continued to learn and build my passion and goals. Rewatching Adam Sandler, and Jim Carrey movies with him over and over helped develop my sense of humor and are some of my fondest childhood memories.

Website: https://vimeo.com/user138211125

Instagram: key__10