We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Dathan Smith. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Dathan below.
Hi Dathan, thanks for joining us today. What’s the kindest thing anyone has ever done for you?
The kindest thing anyone has ever done for me was to believe in my vision.
When I first started developing LIFE Anthologies, people thought the concept was cool—but to most, it was just that: an idea. But I’m someone who, once I say I’m going to do something, will do everything in my power to make it happen.
Having never written a proper script—let alone one for a TV series—I took a leap and put the first episode down on paper. My Director of Photography, Kelly Riot, was amused by my attempt, but supportive. She passed it along to her friend, Ali Brown, who not only offered guidance but officially co-wrote Episode 1 with me. That collaboration gave us a solid foundation to launch the series.
Despite my inexperience as a director, we pushed forward and delivered a pilot that went on to win awards—proof that the concept had real potential. That momentum caught the attention of actor Kevin Clark, who was introduced to the project through Maria Robles Schachter. At the time, I had just finished production on Episode 2 and had completely drained my limited funds. Kevin came on board as an executive producer and helped bring that episode to the festival circuit, where it also earned awards and recognition.
Kevin, being an actor at heart, took the lead role in Episode 3 while also continuing to executive produce. He remained a driving force behind the series, producing three more episodes alongside Michele Condrey and, most recently, Keven Crank. Without Kevin’s support and belief in the project, LIFE Anthologies wouldn’t be streaming today.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I’m the writer and director of LIFE Anthologies, an award-winning sci-fi series now streaming worldwide. I began my professional acting career in Dallas in the early 2000s, training under Michele Condrey at REACT Studios. I’m proudly represented by Linda McAlister Talent and Del Corral Agency in Louisiana.
In addition to acting and directing, I work as a headshot photographer serving Oklahoma and Dallas. I’m the co-founder of the Red Brick Road Film Festival, now in its fourth year, and the Washita River Film Society, a nonprofit dedicated to bringing quality entertainment to southern Oklahoma. I also serve as the Marketing Director for The Wick Theatre and Costume World, a premier theatrical organization in South Florida.
In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?
Go back to the movie theaters, the stage shows and museums. Find the joy in being entertained once more, because we so enjoy entertaining you. Audiences in live theaters and movie theaters have dwindled. The magic is still there waiting for you.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
For me, the most rewarding aspect of creating is hearing how it affected someone. Negatively or positively, something I created stirred an emotion, and that in my opinion is powerful. If it causes zero emotion, good or bad, I didn’t do my job. So the true reward comes from the audience.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.LIFEAnthologies.com
- Instagram: @LIFEAnthologies
- Facebook: @LIFEAnthologies
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@LIFEAnthologies
