Leslie Cunningham

Diagonal Media

What was your first professionally directed work and when was it?
In 2021 I was a freelance podcast producer for a show about underwear. I had a video producer background so I pitched a few video concepts to the show’s host who was fully on board and a great collaborator. She championed my work with the parent production company and I was given the opportunity to write, direct and shoot digital videos for their whole suite of podcasts. It was creative and fulfilling work with a lot of fun and interesting people. I was so happy to be behind the camera (and getting paid for it) after having been out of consistent work during the pandemic. It felt like it went from 0 to 100.

How did you get into directing?
I went to school for broadcast journalism and very quickly realized that wasn’t my path. Luckily the journalism program at Syracuse is incredibly hands-on and I had thoughtful mentors along the way. My senior year I co-created a documentary series called “Syracuse Stories” with my friend, and a current producing partner, Hernz Laguerre Jr. That experience is probably what started me down the path that eventually led to directing.

What is your most recent project?
I just finished postproduction on a documentary short about the cyclical nature of food insecurity in America called Deserted. It was an independent venture with my same producing partner from college, Hernz. We were struck by the fact that the world produces over 1.5X the amount of food needed to feed every person on the planet a sufficient diet, yet over 13 million American households do not have access to healthy and adequate food. This documentary explores the structures and functions of a society that perpetuates this cycle of food insecurity.

What is the best part of being a director?
Synergy. It is such a rush when a group of talented, creative people bounce ideas off of each other and take a project to the apex of its potential. I approach directing as an opportunity to amplify each individual contributor’s talents towards a collective, creative vision and seeing things take shape in ways I couldn’t even imagine at the start feels like “movie magic.”

What is the worst part of being a director?
Budgets. Whether it’s through fundraising or hired work, bringing in the funds to make something incredible, and ensure everyone gets paid what they’re worth, can be a huge challenge.

What is your current career focus: commercials and branded content, television, movies? Do you plan to specialize in a particular genre–comedy, drama, visual effects, etc.?
I’m currently focused on commercials and short documentaries. My work leans toward drama and social-impact but I hope to work on some dystopian or sci-fi stories one day, I think that would be a fun challenge. My long term goal is to work in long and short form narrative content alongside the work I’m currently doing.

Have you a mentor and if so, who is that person (or persons) and what has been the lesson learned from that mentoring which resonates with you?
I am currently seeking a female commercial and narrative director to mentor me.

With that being said, I do have wonderful mentors in my life. I started my career learning from two great storytellers, Joe Mauceri and Kenton Young of BIB Media. They laid the foundation for how to tell a captivating story, work in the business of video production and take ownership over everything I put out into the world. I am forever grateful for every opportunity they gave me.

Blake Drummond, the CEO of Diagonal Media is a fantastic example of how to lead with enthusiasm and empathy. I can go to him with any question, whether it’s about my work or how to manage a talented team of pre and post production professionals. He is a wonderful mentor and I feel very lucky to have him in my corner.

Who is your favorite director and why?
I recently came across the work of Aoife McArdle and have left everything I’ve seen by her feeling different than when I started. She challenges perceptions and creates an unspoken chemistry between the characters on the screen that permeates the human experience.

Benny and Josh Safide are also young legends. The way they build tension throughout a film, with music and editing, you simply can’t look away. Their flawed, but ultimately redeemable, characters really make you think about the world a little differently.

What is your favorite movie? Your favorite television/online program? Your favorite commercial or branded content?
Does any director know how to answer this question?

I don’t have a solid #1 for any of these categories, but here are a few I love, all for different reasons.

• Movies: A Place Beyond the Pines, Good Time, and Steel Magnolias.
• TV shows: Ted Lasso, VEEP, and It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.
• Commercials: “Feel More” (Samsung), “Dr. Rick” Series (Progressive Insurance).

Tell us about your background (i.e., where did you grow up? Past jobs?)
I grew up in Spotsylvania, Virginia about an hour outside of Washington D.C. I’m the oldest of five children, spanning 11 years in age. When we were little I used to make up bedtime stories for my younger siblings, with different voices for each character. Looking back, that was an early indication that I wanted to become a writer or somehow work in the world of story.

I craved independence at a young age and worked at a fast food chain, the front desk of a hair salon, waitressing, merchandising ties at Macy’s, and probably some other jobs I’ve already forgotten about. I think all of this prepared me for the film industry, as there are a myriad of jobs you can do to work your way up, and there was nothing I felt like I couldn’t learn if I tried.

Have you had occasion to bring your storytelling/directorial talent to bear in the Metaverse, tapping into the potential of AR, VR, AI, NFTs and/or experiential fare? If so, tell us about that work and what lessons you have taken away from the experience?
I actually have, I directed a virtual reality shoot. I can’t talk much about the project, but I can say that it was a very unique experience. I learned that there’s a lot I don’t know, but staying curious and willing to experiment is a great way to learn. I love the opportunities I’ve had to work with animation. I think the beauty of animation is that your imagination knows no bounds, and VR lends itself to that same boundless possibility. Also, filming with a VR headset on can make you nauseous so be sure to schedule lots of breaks!

Contact

• Leslie Cunningham, Brooklyn, NY,  (540) 760-3941, Leslie Ann King Productions, LLC, Email: lc@leslie-cunningham.com