Today we’d like to introduce you to Yaselyn Perez.
Yaselyn, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Being raised in Chicago within a working-class family really cemented my level of dedication mentally. The city life was always embedded within the hustle and my parents were always fighting for a better life—which always came at the hands of belief and effort. Witnessing that while growing up created a seismic shift in my head that will not allow me to give the world any less than my best. From a tender age, I remember trying to find things to stick to (drawing, writing, skateboarding, and dancing) until I found myself constantly staring at my mom’s tall bookcases of DVD’s in curiosity and wonder. Even sitting in the car sifting through her cd collection trying to figure out why they were all so different, and why their lyrics were so impactful.
A lot of my childhood was filled with music and films. My mom was a talent agent for a few years that reeled in acts such as Ashton Kutcher and Keke Palmer. I would sit in the monologue sessions after school and get lost in the pretend world that these people were itching to live in. I wondered why it all mattered, why people wanted to be someone else, why this art is the best thing to happen to the world. For years, I did not understand it, until the more I studied and practiced, the more I realized that the media realm has the only language that moves everyone—affecting our behaviors, our beliefs, and ultimately our futures. Filmmaking matters because it has the ability to both take us away from ourselves and reel us in deeper—what can be more powerful than that?
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Mental health is a huge deal as it gets in the way of everything that we can possibly try to accomplish. Things get a little messy when your head is against everything that you do. Sitting at the computer for hours on end going through the waves of emotions on a cut can be very detrimental to the creative process. Even being on set directing everyone to be apart of a story that you are so desperately trying to make believable, won’t work unless you truly believe it yourself. Learning how to stay headstrong is something I am constantly re-learning and I don’t feel that it will ever stop. I definitely have a love and hate relationship with this, but I know I am meant to do this because after every finished project I am super hyped for the next one.
Nothing about filmmaking is easy—just like any other art form worth sticking to. I am constantly trying to prove myself capable and worth listening to. Creating a style, finding a voice, and sifting through ways to make my work stand out is hard. I have learned that being a woman in this industry has its tough moments too. But, I wouldn’t change my struggles for the world—this is how to hustle gets built.
My pops always told me to pay attention to the difference between hustle and talent because not everyone has both. When something works well naturally it is talent, when something is constantly practiced it is a hustle. But, if you are disciplined enough to have both… then prepare to take on the world. I fully intend to make filmmaking my way of living, by any means necessary.
Please tell us about Raven’s Rose Productions.
My work is showcased through filmmaking and videography. I specialize in creating content for up and coming artists in the local music industry and documentaries on local stories. Event videography is also something I implement within my craft whenever I get the opportunity to. The skill I am most proud of is my ability to effectively communicate ideas and project objectives to others. There is no greater feeling than to have a client getting chills at the end of the meeting because they were finally able to find someone that communicates their vision onscreen.
The music/documentary hybrid is my sweet spot, allowing artists to spill their story into the filmmaking medium is one of my favorite things to do. The music industry is filled with people screaming to share their purpose to bigger followings. I find that this really pushes our local talent into the shadows. I believe that by using my gifts to help local artists be apart of that scream really feeds their effort to keep working, keep growing, and never stop believing in themselves. Filmmaking and videography gives people a voice and a way to remember things. This is powerful. This is meaningful. This is what I want to do for the rest of my life.
Is there anyone, in particular, you would like to recognize? Mentors, etc?
My parents and siblings are the biggest mentors when it comes to any aspect of my life. They have unwavering support for my craft both physically and mentally. Whether it be helping out onset on a spontaneous portfolio piece or business advice in the field—they have my back in everything I do.
My grandmother, aunts, and uncle for offering their financial support throughout my time in college for projects and networking events.
My friends for never failing to show up for my early portfolio pieces when I was just starting out—thank you all for offering your time and face.
Pricing:
- Documentaries (varies) – $300+
- Event Videography – $550+
- Music Videos – $400+
Contact Info:
- Phone: 954-729-8542
- Email: ravensrosemgmt@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thatsjustyas/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thatsjustyas/?eid=ARCkHCNonoHkboZLwx3q55GKHs1wpBV9Cfh8pR1OzOJFDK64t_I_pBxAwe55flb6q_ukUiJ1jRbDYuMi&timeline_context_item_type=intro_card_work&timeline_context_item_source=100000638082426&fref=tag
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/_thatsjustyas
- Other: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQS1bZpFvbRAJLmjBfAoZqw?view_as=subscriber
Image Credit:
“High Waisted” by Allsnap Media LLC
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