KyFx Creator Creature Feature
I think Black Women have such amazing stories to tell”
Destiny Kelly
Meet Destiny Kelly !
Visual Artist and Filmmaker
by Kyasia Fields on August 25
Destiny Kelly is a 22-year-old visual artist and filmmaker from Southern California. She specializes in creating mixed media artwork and designs inspired by her favorite Horror films and characters ranging from realistic portraits to colorful poster designs. A recent graduate from Long Beach State University with a BA in Film and Electronic Arts; she enjoys writing and directing horror short films. Her career goal is to be a Production Designer in the Horror film industry. We got a chance to discuss the duality of Jordan Peele’s character development, the importance of Black Women filmmakers, and her new Horror Short Pumpkin Fever.
When did you begin your journey as a visual artist / filmmaker? What Sparked That Journey?
Well, I started drawing when I was around 10 or 11 years old, doing pencil sketches of my favorite celebrities or whatnot. Also, during that time, I started getting more passionate about the Horror genre. I loved Horror my whole life, but I just never knew how to express that passion. I ended up discovering the online Horror community and seeing all these people share what movies they were watching. I got exposed to some films I had never seen before, and that sort of inspired me to start making fan art of Horror movies. For film making, that didn’t come till much later, around 10th grade of high school. I started watching a lot of James Wan movies. I would watch his behind the scenes interviews. The way he talked about film making and how passionate he was about it, I related to that like ‘I have that same passion, and I think film making would be a cool way for me to express that passion” mainly because there are not many Black women or Black people in general who have the opportunity to make Horror movies. So, I wanted to try to make a difference in the genre.
What / who started your love for Horror?
I would have to say it was probably my dad and my uncle. My dad, he always bought and rented tons of VHS movies, and DVDs and I remember he had the A Nightmare on Elm Street VHS and my sister and I would watch it all the time, that was my first Horror movie. I remember being absolutely in love with it like I couldn’t explain it. I was this little girl who was into this slasher movie and it was awesome. I would also have to say, my uncle. When I got a bit older, he would let me borrow some of the DVDs that he had, such as Dog Soldiers, and The Craft, and I just got really into it, from there on I just loved Horror movies.
Who is your favorite Universal monster?
I love all of them so much, but I would have to say Frankenstein’s Monster is my number one. He is just the classic monster, everything about him, the original story, and how Universal adapted him. He is an iconic face of Horror and you have to love him.
Where did you study film and art?
I studied at California State University of Long beach. They have an excellent film program. It’s not as big as the other California schools, but it does have a good film program, so through that, I was able to meet a lot of amazing, talented student filmmakers that I still work with today. It’s always really fun just collaborating with them and making anything that came to our minds.
Who is your Favorite Horror Director?
James Wan is one of them for sure. Of course, I love Wes Craven, A Nightmare on Elm Street was my first Horror Movie so that film will always have a special place in my heart. I love Leigh Whannell , of course he works with James Wan. I love how those two used Horror and were able to make low budget films in such a creative way, that inspired me. Of course, I have to say Jordan Peele. I have to give him some respect, he has inspired me in the more recent years, especially being a film student in college, he encouraged me to keep pushing myself and that it is possible for me to make Horror movies one day.
How do you feel about Misha Green and Nia DaCosta, being that you are a Black Female Horror Director yourself?
It’s an amazing feeling; it’s so amazing. Growing up, it was always mostly white directors, you know, making my favorite Horror movies. It was always sorta like “I wanna be a filmmaker one day, but I don’t see other Black women doing this yet,” so it was kind of intimidating for me. Now seeing all of these Black women coming out in Horror makes me feel a bit more comfortable and inspired like “that could be me one day,” and I think Black women have such amazing stories to tell, and it is groundbreaking.
You directed a short film Pumpkin Fever, which is set to release soon. How was that experience being the woman in leadership for your project? What is the best part about working behind the camera?
Throughout college, I always wanted to direct a film. Usually, I was the production designer or doing set decorating; but I wanted to have my vision and express that. So when I came up with the idea for Pumpkin Fever (which is my little love letter to Halloween), I just poured everything that I love about Halloween into that film. Being the one in charge and directing fulfilled all of that passion inside of me, the way I was able to express myself like “this is my vision, and I am the one expressing it.” It was such a happy feeling. I can’t begin to explain it.
What are your top 5 favorite Horror films, and why?
This is a tough one, well, of course, I already mentioned A Nightmare on Elm Street. I love that movie so much, it’s a classic and my favorite of all time. The Shining had an enormous influence on my passion for production design and set decorating. I think the production design of that movie is beautiful, and it has inspired me a lot. Trick ‘r Treat was an inspiration for Pumpkin Fever, being that it too is like a love letter to Halloween. I would have to say Jordan Peele’s US, super scary and super impactful seeing a dark-skinned Black woman play both the final girl and the villain at the same time. For number 5 I’m going to have to go with a James Wan film, Insidious. I feel like that movie brought about a new wave of Horror that started the whole Blumhouse era. Again, I would always talk about how I would watch the behind the scenes footage of James Wan with his interviews and how passionate he was about it, and I feel like that showed in his films.
What is something you wish to see change in the Horror genre?
I would definitely like to see more Black Women and Black people, in general, making Horror movies, but I want to see that be normalized. Right now, we have Black Women working in Horror, but that is seen as a big thing because it’s not often done. I want us to reach a point where it’s a normal thing to see us making Horror films. I want it to be a natural thing, not like “Oh my gosh, this is out of the ordinary.” I want it to be expected. I want more young Black filmmakers to see themselves represented in the genre. Many Black people make Black films but not genre films, so having more Black Women making genre films specifically and have it be normalized is essential for the future Black people in film.
Check out Destiny Kelly on Social Media
Artist Portfolio: destinykelly.com
Instagram: @artsy_ghoul
Twitter: @artsy_ghoul
Artist Shop Information
Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/destinykart
Redbubble: https://www.redbubble.com/people/artsyghoul/shop
KyFx Horror Group, LLC
Houston, TX
