Life & Work with Makayla Boyd of Ohio

Today we’d like to introduce you to Makayla Boyd.

Hi Makayla, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I got into filmmaking in high school after taking a video production class my freshman year. I had always loved writing, and that class showed me how to bring my stories to life on screen. I also got into photography at this time as well. After graduation, I was accepted into the University of Cincinnati’s Media Production program, where I developed my skills and built connections with actors, other photographers and fellow filmmakers.
After graduating, I turned one of my scripts into a web series called Done In The Dark. The first season reached over 25,000 views and was screened at a film festival in New York. Following its success, I continued the series before creating my next project, Noir Stories, a horror anthology series. I also have been renovating my own photography studio.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The road into filmmaking was not always smooth. After graduating, the COVID-19 pandemic put many creative projects on hold, and I had to step away from filmmaking for a period of time. When opportunities began opening back up, I focused on rebuilding by growing my photography client base and finding actors who could help bring my stories to life.
It took five years of persistence, saving, and reinvesting in my work before I was able to open my own photography studio. Along the way, I also had to secure funding to produce both of my web series. Those challenges taught me resilience, resourcefulness, and how to turn ideas into projects even when resources were limited.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a filmmaker and photographer who specializes in creating content that connects with audiences and tells meaningful stories. While I work across photography, video production, and digital content, I’m probably best known for creating and producing two independent web series–Noir Stories and Done In The Dark.
What I’m most proud of is my second series, a horror anthology project that went on to have a successful film festival run, earning semi-finalist and finalist recognition and screening at multiple festivals. For me, that accomplishment means more because it started as an idea and required building the team, securing funding, coordinating production, and seeing it through to completion.
What sets me apart is my storytelling perspective. I’m passionate about telling stories from the African American perspective within the horror genre, because those voices and experiences have not always been centered in that space. I also enjoy blending genres, especially horror and drama, to create stories that are entertaining but also leave audiences thinking long after the credits roll. My goal is not just to create content, but to create stories that feel fresh, meaningful, and memorable.

Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
The most important lesson I’ve learned throughout my journey is to keep creating and keep going. Every project teaches you something new and makes you better at your craft. Not every film, shoot, or idea turns out exactly how you imagined, but each one helps you grow.
There were times when progress felt slow, especially after graduating during the pandemic and while building my career, but I learned that improvement comes through doing. If you’re not creating, you’re not learning. The more you make, the more you refine your voice, strengthen your skills, and discover what you’re capable of.

Pricing:

• 1 Hour Photoshoot $150
• 2 Hour Photoshoot $230
• 3 Hours $300

Contact Info:

• Website: https://mcbcinema.blog
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mcb_cinema/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@mcbcinema_