We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Daniel Stearns a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Daniel, appreciate you joining us today. Before we talk about all of your success, let’s start with a story of failure. Can you open up about a time when you’ve failed?

Over the course of the last three years, I’ve reached out to over 60 production companies looking for work. It only resulted in one gig, a one day shoot. I’ve made almost no traction in commercial production. I bring a lot to the table, and I was begging for work. I slept on a mat in my apartment, because I spent my money on camera lenses instead of a mattress. It has been a journey of closed doors and rejection. Paige Parnell and I created this short film called Tremble with no money and no help. A producer found me on instagram, watched my film and gave me my first chance at directing a full feature length film with Reginae Carter (Lil Wayne’s daughter) as the lead. That was a year ago, and I’ve directed two movies and I’m going to direct a third in May. Money is still slow to come, but I’m finally making a living doing what I love, and my career is just beginning.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m a filmmaker, I just directed a movie that I wrote, produced, shot and edited myself. I’m as hands-on as it gets. I’m behind the camera 100% of the time, I even pull focus myself. I edited the first draft of the film in just 4 weeks. I finally have some people in my corner who believe in me and are investing in me. I’m in the perfect place right now, making indie films with an amazing team, and doing it the way that I want to do it.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

One of the challenges of doing this thing, making movies, is there is no formula to getting into the business. My brother and sister both got their masters degrees and I didn’t even finish my bachelors degree. I had a dream to make movies, and I grabbed my camera and went out with friends and spent countless hours trying to create something amazing. I made some pretty bad films, I had close friends tell me that I didn’t have what it takes. I’ve had many conversations with family and friends who felt that I should change my career path, that I should stop pursuing my dream. But I had a feeling, it felt like a fact… something I knew to be true – that I could do this, if someone just gave me a chance. And someone did. If I didn’t hold onto that hope, I would have quit a long time ago. And I feel strongly that people should pursue what they are passionate about. What good is it to spend your entire life slaving over work you despise? We each have a gift, we need to chase it, shape it, use it and push through the noise.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

Oddly enough, I think one of the most rewarding things about being an artist is the work. Finishing my movie was ultimately a little disappointing, because it meant the work was over. The part I found most fulfilling was being in the trenches with my team, working hand-in-hand with people who love the craft and do it with integrity. The last film I made was a nearly impossible task. We shot it in 13 days, when we really needed 18 days. But my team made it happen, and I am so proud of the people I got to work with. The writing process, the pre-production, planning, shooting, directing actors, physically sprinting with the camera in my hands, thats the good stuff. I’m learning that it isn’t about the results, but rather the process that is the most rewarding part of this journey.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://amap.to/labyrinthinepictures/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/daniel.filmmaking