Today we’d like to introduce you to VerShona McKendrick.
Hi VerShona, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
Lights, camera, action! My love affair with movies began with a birthday tradition – spending every Thanksgiving birthday at the theater, soaking in the magic of the silver screen. This tradition has stuck with me through the years, igniting a flame for a film that continues to burn brightly. The inception of MoviesxMelanin took place in the Fall of 2021 after snagging a set of advanced screening tickets to see. Nope, I knew this would be the spark that lit the fire. Following the movie, we were asked for our thoughts, and our feedback was sent to the studio. A few of us critics got to chatting, delving into an impromptu 1.5-hour self-led discussion that left me over the moon. It was a pleasant exchange of fresh perspectives and insights. Afterward, we connected on social media, and it became clear that I was the only one without a platform. Encouragement flooded in for me to create one, to share my distinct opinions and unique insights – something that seemed to capture details others missed on their initial watch. Fast forward to today, and here I am, invited to advanced screenings of films, sometimes a whole month in advance, to lend my voice and critique. The journey has been a whirlwind of networking opportunities and incredible encounters with industry stars, even getting to interview some of them. It’s been a dream come true, and the adventure is just beginning!
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The road had its bumps, especially given the path I chose. As a film critic in the era of social media, finding my unique voice amidst the sea of accounts was a real struggle. Crafting my brand and making myself stand out took a lot of work. It felt like trying to be heard in a crowded stadium. I had to navigate the complexities of algorithms and hashtags, things I had never really delved into. It was a steep learning curve, but I persevered. Through hours of research and conversations with industry peers, I saw the mountain before I shrink to the size of a manageable hill. I began understanding how to reach and engage with an audience I had never met. I’ve found my voice and a growing community of followers who appreciate my perspective. The struggle was real, but overcoming those initial challenges was incredibly fulfilling.
Thanks for sharing that. Please tell us more about your work.
The mission of MoviesxMelanin is to bring movies into everyday conversations, especially for people who look like me. I set out to create a space where individuals from diverse backgrounds can share insightful and valued opinions about films. When you look at the statistics, it’s clear that there’s a significant lack of representation. Women comprise only 18.8% of film critics, while 81.2% are men. The majority of film critics are White, with a mere 12.3% being Hispanic or Latino and 9.5% being Asian.
Additionally, the average age of film critics is over 40, representing 44% of the critic population. In every category, I fall into the minority. My proudest achievement is working to change these statistics. By amplifying underrepresented voices, I hope to pave the way for greater diversity in film criticism. As these statistics shift, there’s a real potential for Hollywood to transform similarly. My unique perspective and dedication to fostering a more inclusive, representative film critique landscape set me apart.
What changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
The following 5-10 years in the film industry will be a wild ride. With movie theaters struggling to fill seats and more films heading to streaming platforms, we’re already witnessing a significant shift. There’s a growing trend of creating content tailored to the TikTok generation, like the new Mean Girls interpretation. While this caters to shorter attention spans, there’s a risk of losing the depth and substance that films are meant to embody. If we continue down this path, movies might become just a series of TikTok-worthy moments, sacrificing the essence of storytelling. Directors and creators could compromise their original visions to appease an audience craving quick, snappy content. I’d love to see a reset—a one- to two-year hiatus for the industry to recalibrate and rediscover the art of filmmaking. This break could also reignite anticipation among audiences, offering them something to truly hunger for instead of being bombarded by an over-saturated market. It’s a pivotal time, and I hope the industry finds a way to balance innovation with preserving the core of cinematic storytelling.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moviesxmelanin?igsh=MXZoZDZndnFnODcwZw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@moviesxmelanin?si=M280zGPrFwjdp26D
