Today we’d like to introduce you to Riley Walsh.
Riley, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I’ve been passionate about the arts for as long as I can remember. Growing up, I explored a variety of creative outlets—drawing, music, costume design—but it wasn’t until high school that I discovered filmmaking. I joined a digital video class and later worked as a production assistant on a small film set, which opened my eyes to the power of visual storytelling.
Since then, I’ve created short films, documentaries, and community-focused video projects, often exploring themes of emotion, memory, and human connection. I also play guitar, bass, and drums, and now teach young kids how to play rock music through summer camps at the School of Rock. Music has taught me collaboration, rhythm, and creative flow which are skills that have directly translated into my approach to filmmaking.
To date, I’ve completed over 30 film projects, many of which have received recognition. I’m a YoungArts Winner with Distinction and a semifinalist for the U.S. Presidential Scholars in the Arts program. My work has also earned first-place awards and cinematography honors at various state and national film competitions.
This fall, I’ll be continuing my filmmaking journey at the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), majoring in Film and Television with a focus in cinematography. My goal is to work as a cinematographer, telling stories that leave a lasting emotional impact on audiences.
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?
One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced in pursuing a life in the arts was deciding which passion to follow. I discovered my love for both music and cinematography around the same time, and I quickly hit a crossroads where I had to choose which path to prioritize.
At one point, I was invited to audition for the House Band at School of Rock—a group made up of the top student musicians—while also being asked to join my film class’s Nationals team. Both were major time commitments: the House Band performed 2–3 times a week, the film team required full weekends of work, and on top of that, I was still a full-time high school student. Juggling all three at a high level simply wasn’t possible.
Choosing to pursue film over music was one of the hardest decisions I’ve made in my artistic journey. I didn’t know if it would work out or if I was walking away from the wrong thing. Taking that leap gave me confidence in my ability to make difficult choices for the sake of growth.
I know I’ll face many more challenges as I continue into a career in such a fast-moving and unpredictable industry, but this experience taught me to trust my instincts and stay grounded in what drives me.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
While I’ve taken on many roles—Director, Producer, Editor, Gaffer, Production Assistant, Actor, Boom Operator, and more—I specialize in cinematography. From the moment I joined my film class, I naturally gravitated toward working behind the camera and shaping light. Over time, I focused intensely on learning camera technology and visual storytelling, which helped me develop a reputation for strong cinematographer work.
I’m especially proud of my recent project Sea, Swallow Me, which features some of my best visual work to date. I used a variety of setups to capture unique and challenging shots—underwater scenes, car-mounted tracking shots, and a surreal void created with a reflective water floor. It pushed me creatively and technically, and I’m proud of the results.
As a recent high school graduate, I also pride myself on being able to operate at a professional level. I’ve worked on multiple professional narrative film sets and have been mentored by industry professionals. I can confidently step onto a set, understand the lingo, and operate much of the industry-standard equipment. That level of preparedness and confidence has made me a reliable collaborator—and I believe it will continue to open doors as I move forward in my career.
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
It is most easy to contact me through my instagram @rileywalsh326. I respond to dms very actively and try to build my network through that. Reaching out to me through that is an easy way to collaborate, and even just following the account and keeping up my artistic journey is a great way to support me.
I’ll be releasing my new narrative 20 minute film called “Sea, Swallow Me” in just about a month so it’ll be something to keep an eye out for to support.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rileywalsh326?igsh=ZXVydm1veDMxNzhv&utm_source=qr
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/riley-walsh-339aa7322
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Riley_Walsh
Image Credits
Riley Walsh
