Today we’d like to introduce you to Elliot James Cunningham.
Elliot James, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
As a kid, my family and I would watch a movie every Friday night. We would order Papa Johns pizza, curl up on the couch and watch our movie of the week. I would be so excited to finish school, just for that moment. At around six years old, I remember asking my dad, “Who’s holding the camera?”
This simple question started my journey! I started taking acting classes about a year later at Cathryn Sullivan’s Acting for Film. The studio has launched the careers of actors like Selena Gomez, Demi Lovato, Thomas Mann, and Gavin Casalegno, among many others. During my time at the studio, I started to form a community of artists who challenged me creatively and personally. Cathryn Sullivan herself pushed me to form an impeccable work ethic and laid the foundation of many values and morals I carry today. I signed with my first agency at eight years old through a seminar at this studio and had amazing opportunities to audition in front of directors such as Steven Spielberg and work with actors such as Ewan McGregor. I had a blast as a kid, stepping into each audition felt like stepping into a new world. I got to live in my imagination, and that was everything to me.
That sense of play and possibility extended into my home life, too. Around the same time, my dad – who’s always been a creative genius, started his production company, Shot by Picto. In 2012, he made his first short film that we both starred in and went on to earn an Official Selection at the 2012 American Independent Film Festival, where we had a Hollywood screening. This started the journey of an amazing father-son collaboration, and we got to work with some amazing people and brands such as AT&T, Manchester United, Amazon Studios, Lexus, etc. Our first feature film, Beyond The After (2020), in which I was the First Assistant Director on, won the Gold Award at the Hollywood Gold Awards for Best Feature Film.
Meanwhile, my journey at the studio kept evolving. As I entered my teen years, Cathryn invited me to become a coach’s aide, to work alongside her, and to help fellow actors in the program. Of course, I jumped at this opportunity as soon as I could and found myself becoming the Top Aide at the studio and, just two years later, Master Teaching my very own classes. My students ranged from the ages of 5-67 years old; I led staff teams, fostered collaboration, and mentored employees. During that time, I discovered that my love for storytelling extended beyond acting—I was just as drawn to the other side of the lens. I’ve had the privilege of working with incredibly talented people, both older and younger than me, and I’ve learned so much from mentoring students. That experience helped me fine-tune a director’s eye, learning to see the whole picture, to guide emotion, and to collaborate from a place of trust and vision.
It was around then, that I began experimenting more intentionally with filming and editing on my own. One of my first projects was a short video called 13 Things I Learned in 13 Years—a voiceover piece with visuals of me skating around the neighborhood where I lived at the time. It was simple, but it was honest.
Fast forward a few years later, I decided to move from Dallas, Texas so that I could pursue a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Film and Television with a minor in Editing at the Savannah College of Art and Design. What I truly love the most and where I feel the magic come to life is in directing and editing. Directing allows me to bring truth to life through collaboration and vision. Editing lets me sculpt the rhythm and heartbeat of a story for an audience. Together, these roles give me a kind of creative fulfillment that nothing else compares to.
Through my art, I hope to move people and tell honest stories that linger in the soul. I’m constantly pulling from what I learned throughout the last decade – collaboration, discipline, and emotional truth. I am excited every day to be able to learn about my craft at SCAD. I love the community of creatives that I have built here in Savannah. Whether I’m behind the camera or in the editing room, at the end of the day I’m still that kid who wanted to know how the magic was made.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It was not a smooth road, but I think that’s what makes the journey so meaningful. Growing up in the entertainment industry at a young age came with much pressure. It was exciting, but also unpredictable. There have been a lot of highs but a fair share of challenges. You learn to handle rejection early on, and you have to find confidence in your work even when there’s no validation. That was tough, especially as a kid figuring out who I was.
Balancing school, auditions, and later coaching and teaching in my teens pushed me to grow up fast. I was constantly navigating adult spaces while still being a teenager, and that came with a lot of weight. I had to learn how to advocate for myself, trust my instincts, and stay grounded in why I loved storytelling in the first place. I wouldn’t change any of the challenges to be easier if I could. Every challenge taught me something about myself.
One of my biggest struggles has been figuring out where I fit in, not just within the industry but within my own identity as an artist and a person. I would find myself in environments that didn’t reflect the kind of experience I was searching for. But instead of shrinking myself to fit into those spaces, I started carving out my own.
I created a space where I could be authentic, where I could tell stories that felt real, nuanced, and human. Stories that made space for complexity and vulnerability without having external factors dictate who I was or how I felt. This freedom to approach art without judgment is very special, and I strive to keep myself balanced in that manner. I strive to always approach vulnerability within my work and my relationships.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Whether I’m behind the camera directing or in the editing room, I’m always chasing the heart of the story. I create grounded stories with emotional weight, blending fine art and psychology. I’m drawn to grounded, slice-of-life stories and films that ultimately leave a lasting impact.
I’ve had the privilege to mentor others, teach, collaborate with brands and studios, and win awards for both short and feature work, but what sets me apart, I think, is my eye for nuance, my ability to create from a place of authenticity and to connect with other people. Having taught students as young as five and as old as 67, I’ve developed a deep understanding of how to connect to people from all walks of life, and that’s one of my favorite aspects of what I do! I love humans and listening to their lived experiences. Because of this, as a director, I strive to create a safe and emotionally rich environment on set where actors feel seen and can explore real vulnerability.
One project I’m very proud of is Rings of Redemption, a short film that was released on April 11th! I produced, wrote, directed, and edited. The film follows James, a young boxer wrestling not just with the memory of his father but with the pressure to keep going in a world that doesn’t slow down for your healing. Currently in pre-production is my next film, Between the Waves which follows the story of a young painter.
At the end of the day, I’m just trying to make work that connects to people. To share stories and lived experiences that can open up the minds of others. We all have one go at life, and I want to be able to leave a lasting impact on the future generations of artists to come.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
Landon Parrott is an artist who I recently discovered, and I love his work. I follow his newsletter, which is titled Lovely Thoughts. This week’s newsletter was themed around authenticity; he always gives a film and book recommendation. You can find his YouTube here: www.youtube.com/@LandonAParrott
Journaling and documenting with tangible media helps me stay disciplined, and it is creatively fulfilling. This helps me succeed! Two books I’m currently reading are, Directing the Actors by Judith Weston and Colors of Film by Charles Bramesco. Both of these help me learn practices that I can then apply to my physical work.
My peers, music, and films are always where I find my inspiration!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elliotjamescunningham/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ElliotJamesCunningham
