Check Out Julia Y Stine’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Julia Y Stine.

Hi Julia, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Thank you so much for having me! I haven’t always been an actress, model, and influencer.

It all started back in 2017 when I began acting in films. There was interest in the arts in my past, but I got discouraged by peers debating whether or not this was a beneficial career. It took a friend in college mentioning her activity in the film industry to trigger the passion that has shaped my whole life.

While exploring the industry, I noticed one thing that stayed consistent. I ran into film production companies in Colorado that stopped creating (I saw at least 5 of them). On top of that, I’ve seen so many talented actors, producers, directors, and cameramen leave the state and get poached by bigger markets like LA, New Mexico, Georgia, and Vancouver. This bothered me, I love Colorado! I don’t want to have to leave to live out my dream.

Then I realized the problem. It’s not just a lack of incentives from the state. We (as a market/community) weren’t working together. Not enough of our neighbors know what we’re producing. How are we supposed to gain the support of citizens of Colorado, let alone, our nation, if they don’t know who we are or what we do? So, I decided to commit myself to exposing the incredible talent of the Colorado Film Industry.

I didn’t realize how daunting this would be. Settling in a new city with no family, no degree and hardly any funds were hard enough, but I was determined…

After a couple of years of experimenting with social media and different marketing strategies, God started putting people in my life with similar goals. In working with these like-minded individuals, we began to put together what it takes to make Denver the next film hub. Along with making quality content, it takes spreading awareness to whoever we can about our mission.

Right now, I’m partnered with the production Company, Film Hound founded by Hunter F. Burns, where I star in their current production “Homecoming”. We started an interview series with local filmmakers called “#SupportLocalFilm” where we share the activity going on here in Colorado that desperately deserves attention.

On top of that, I’ve started my Marketing agency called “Julia Y Stine Marketing”. My focus is film production marketing, event marketing, and my training program for creatives. Right now, I’m building partnerships with business owners like the graphic designer, Amanda Bushere. I haven’t gone completely public with it yet, however, when I do, you’ll know about it.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
My good friend, Jamal Page of Black Sparrow Media who up and quit his job to produce, put it this way; “It seems like a Herculean task to do it, but… we got to keep going.”

I’ve worked more hours on what I do than is healthy. I may have had a couple of sleepless nights but seeing how hard my fellow filmmakers work only encourages me to do more. For example:

Hunter works 3+ jobs to compensate for his productions. He does, what he calls, the “All-out method” where we film as much as we can in one weekend to get back to work by Monday.

Heather Hukari, an editor of “Homecoming”, manages to be a single mom to a toddler while working full time running her own business, Video Service Hub, where she creates videos for a variety of companies AND coaches small business owners how to shoot and edit video on their phone. She does this at in-person workshops and in her online course, PhoneVideo101…all while trying to balance some fun in life too!

Even if we can make money doing what we love, it’s not enough. I still have a regular day job. I’ve found that people like me, have multiple sources of income and still barely scrape by. The thing is, to be successful we have to be involved in more projects than one at a time.

Why?

Brain drain. We have way too few tax incentives causing us to lose a majority of our qualified filmmakers to states who care more. Even with proper education from schools, like, Colorado Film School, the University of Colorado Denver, and the University of Colorado Boulder, our tight-knit community loses important contributors for higher demands elsewhere.

This doesn’t have to be an obstacle; all we need is for people like you to be involved and express your interest to our congressman.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Ultimately, I’m an artist before I’m a marketer. I love acting and bringing authenticity to the screen. I, also, love creating beautiful photos and collaborating with people of different perspectives to make something amazing. I’d say I’m most known for being a team player as well as a woman of faith.

I’m most proud of finally pursuing my God-given passion. So many people in my life have pulled me in other directions, but God made it possible for me to finally be happy with what I do. And that’s what sets me apart! I am redeemed through my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and because he is leading me through this venture, everything I do is a work of God, not my own.

So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
If you’re a creative of any sort, send me an email! I’d love to hear your ideas and see how I can help!

Also, please join the #SupportLocalFilm movement by subscribing to Film Hound’s YouTube channel, watching our interviews with local filmmakers, and looking up their work. Other ways you can help are by attending film festivals, premieres, being involved in nearby projects through crowdfunding, and offering your property as a film location. You can find filmmakers in the Facebook groups “F.I.N.D.: Film Industry Networking Denver” and “CFVA – Colorado Film and Video Association”. Another big help, as mentioned earlier, would be to contact your congressman. Let them know what we’re up to!

If you’re a production company in Colorado that needs an interview, email Film Hound directly at filmhoundcolorado@gmail.com. We can chat further about marketing!

Contact Info:

Image Credits
Jeremy Rill Photography
Coby Neumann