Let’s Make a Movie. Join me, DeQwan Young, as I attempt to make my first feature film
I learned alot making my first short film: https://youtu.be/HwJ5UXktkPE
The creative mindset starts with belief. What do you believe? It’s the question that drives me. What do you believe about yourself? What do you believe about the people around you? What do you believe about your situation? I believe I can win an Oscar.
Will Smith has this quote, “Being realistic is the most commonly traveled road to mediocrity.” I talk alot about mediocrity and that being the antithesis of me. I grew up in Pontiac, Michigan. The poverty rate is almost double that of any other city in the state. We had the worst public education system in the state. I grew up in a single parent household. All these obstacles deterred everyone else around me, but for me it’s just a speedbump. I could never afford to be mediocre.
Belief is about perseverance, it’s about problem solving, it’s about grit, guts and determination. These are all the things that I am. From an early age, I believed I could make it. It’s the thing that I’m burdened with. It’s why every day I wake up, it’s the worst day of my life. Not for any other reason than it being the next day.
I’m envious of people who are comfortable. They don’t have to be as brave and as bold as I am. Most people don’t believe in themselves. They don’t believe in the things that they can do. People who are comfortable just have to look for consistency. They don’t have the foresight to pursue these things because of fear. If you’re uncomfortable, like me, you have to get creative.
Finishing Profile showed me that I have what it takes to be a cinematographer. It showed me that I know how to structure story. It showed me just how lucky I was that I have this belief mindset. Most importantly, it showed me that I can make a movie.