Asiyah Martin (BA '18)
Asiyah Martin always loved the art of storytelling, first through dance and later through video production. From creating her own videos to directing larger local projects, Martin is carving a path into the film industry.
After many inspirational women in her life, including her mother, attended Texas Woman’s, Martin discovered the university’s unique dance program. A few short years later, Martin graduated from TWU with an undergraduate degree in dance.
“My education at TWU helped me find individuality as a woman and a creator,” Martin says. “Against popular belief, the dance curriculum is filled with a great amount of writing, theory, anatomy and research. It was truly a rewarding experience that molded me into who I am today.”
I have now combined my love of dance with my passion for film. When these two things are combined, I am in my happy place.
As a child, Martin was always moving and knew dancing would play a major factor in her career. When she got older, Martin discovered video production and began creating her own videos. With little experience in video production, Martin applied strategies learned in dance to turn small ideas into complete projects while teaching herself about the film production process.
“I have now combined my love of dance with my passion for film,” Martin says. “When these two things are combined, I am in my happy place.”
After sharing her personal projects, Martin began landing professional video production jobs. One of her first projects included a promotional video for TWU’s dance department, which garnered over 10,000 views on YouTube. Since then she has fulfilled several roles and directed local projects, including:
- Director of “Lurkin,” a short dance film
- Director of artist Prince Armani’s “Rhythm and Rhyme” and “No More Parties in Ft. Worth” music videos
- Camera operator for TD Jakes’ interview of Miles McPherson
- Gala performance dancer at the American College Dance Festival
- Gala performance choreographer at the American College Dance Festival
I want movement to help push the story forward. I’m still finding my way and exactly where my lane is.
Martin recently wrapped filming as a production assistant for a documentary on the life of TWU professor and NASA researcher Pauline Beery Mack with Curious Dog Creative, a Denton-based film production company.
Martin’s ultimate goal is to become a well-known African-American director and to find a meeting place for dance and film. “I want movement to help push the story forward,” Martin says. “I’m still finding my way and exactly where my lane is.”
My education at TWU helped me find individuality as a woman and a creator. It was truly a rewarding experience that molded me into who I am today.
Media Contact
Christy Savage
Staff Reporter
940-898-3254
csavage3@twu.edu
Page last updated 10:58 AM, October 1, 2019