Filmmaker Feature: Keaton Morris-Stan
Name: Keaton Morris-Stan
Discipline: Writer, Producer & Actor
Production Company: Greater Than the Sum
Film: Fractal
Logline: How do you mourn the loss of something that you never had? Grace lives through memories and dreams of what could have been after losing something that she never had to begin with.
Cinema Life Festival(s): Atlanta Women’s Film Festival
City you’re based in: New York, NY
Short Bio: Keaton Morris-Stan is an award-winning filmmaker and founder of Greater Than the Sum, a Producing company that is dedicated to creation through collaboration. As a Producer and Writer, Keaton’s work has focused on telling divergent stories through an existential human lens. As an actor, her roles have ranged from perfect bride to gritty addict. Her passion for storytelling stems from learning new ways to perceive the world.
Website: https://www.keatonmorrisstan.com/
Social Media Links: IG @greater_than_the_sum_llc
Interests/ Hobbies: Hikes with my Dogs & Video Games
How did you get started in the Film Industry?
I started as an Actor, and then found writing, and finally progressed to Producing. Who know where I’ll find myself next.
What are your upcoming and active projects?
I’ve got 4 films entering the film festival circuit this year that I was a Producer on, one of which I also was a Writer and Actor on, and an additional film that I just performed in. Upcoming I have a few shorts, a couple features and an episodic in development. What can I say, I stay busy!
What type of stories interest you and why?
Stories that haven’t been told before, or that haven’t been told in this way before. Stories that involve strong female characters. Stories that explore our inner lives. What we do to survive.
What is your genre of choice?
Drama.
How are you creating a path for yourself in this industry?
By approaching each project with patience, kindness and intentionality.
What inspires you as a storyteller?
The human condition. The complex emotions that make us who we are.
How do you prep for a film, from writing to being on set?
Once I’m in pre-pro it’s basically just a lot of spreadsheets, and constant communication with my team.
What are a few lessons you’ve learned from your recent project(s)?
A good film is made through collaboration, not compromise.
What practical tips do you have for indie filmmakers (budgeting, marketing, directing)?
Spend more time on your scripts than you think necessary, be kind to your network, be patient with yourself. Get yourself on set as often as you can, ask to shadow on projects, offer to lend an extra set of hands as a PA. Listen to your work out loud – put together a zoom reading of a script with friends, or better yet, get together and do a table read! Shoot a short film on your phone. We are surrounded by the tools to create.
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