We were lucky to catch up with Caesar Daniels recently and have shared our conversation below.
Caesar, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?
About 5 years ago, I embarked on a journey to write my own epic fantasy book, mostly because I had been disappointed with one of my favorite stories of all time. After having been completely frustrated by the Game of Thrones season finally due to its rushed script and what I consider, a badly executed ending, I felt compelled to take on the monumental task of creating my own mythos and universe, to tell a story of similar epic proportions to that of Tolkiens’ or Martin himself. Crafting an epic fantasy book and developing my own mythos and lore universe has been both a dream and a daunting challenge–an attempt to finally tell the stories that have long simmered in my mind—stories of grand adventures and epic tales reminiscent of Greek epics and Lovecraftian horrors. Yet, I can’t shake the feeling that I’m walking away from a well-trodden path, that I have worked so hard on paving.
After years in the entertainment industry, moving away from home, and getting the amazing opportunity of working on music videos for Warner Music Group, Universal Music, collaborating with Grammy Award winning artists like Cordae, Chance the Rapper, Kendrick Lamar, and many more talented creatives, I realized I was still feeling empty inside, my creativity pushed to the limit, to the point of frustration and at times not worth the pay–something vital was missing. Having dipped my toes in the entertainment industry as a VFX supervisor for nearly 6+ years in Los Angeles, I decided to take a step back and begin my writing journey.
Around the time Game of Thrones show was coming to an end, I was already a fan of the Witcher, Lord of the Rings and Dune, all heavy lore and adventure based stories, thus I had become obsessed with world-building and telling stories of my own epic proportions. Cinema and the entertainment industry had offered a glance at the production side of creating stories, which had fascinated me and got me into filmmaking in the first place. Although grateful that my work could be seen with such amazing creators, my true passion was not in bringing others’ visions to life but in crafting my own stories.
However, leaving behind the familiar success and recognition for the uncertainty of building a universe from scratch was daunting. Heroes facing cosmic threats and legends unfolding within this realm are stories I felt compelled to tell, and even though the fear of falling short haunted me, I could never forgive myself if I did not try…
And thus finally, after 5 years of long brainstorming nights, writing and rewriting hundreds of chapters and backstories, reading epics, and delving into ancient history and lore–I am proud to say I have completed my first manuscript of the Steampunk Fantasy Epic “Wrath of the Wraith King: Runes of Arcana Book I”! We have received raving reviews from those who have had the opportunity to read and delve into the world of Arcana. So I invite you to read the book too, in hopes you also can explore this exciting universe full of magic and heroes! And always remember to go in pursuit of your dreams, even if it feels like starting again, it is all worth it in the end–to see YOUR stories come to life and become appreciated by others. Nothing in the world like it…
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
For nearly a decade I’ve worked as a creative director and VFX artist, and have had the privilege of working alongside incredibly renowned artists and companies alike. In 2015, I launched my own production house Vanguard Studios VFX, and through it, I have been able to support the indie film and music industry by fostering partnerships on projects of all sizes.
My goal has always been to bring the vision of our creatives to life and build a vibrant community in film and entertainment. And though, I was blessed with the opportunity to work on these dream projects, at times I felt there was a void to fill in my career. Over the past five years, I’ve embarked on a personal journey of writing my own fantasy epic book, hopefully one that can stand alongside the likes of Tolkien and Sapkowski’s mythical tales. The process of creating my own stories and seeing them come to life within our community has been incredibly rewarding and hopefully can grow with the years and more books to come. I have great ambitions to see this created into a live action or animated show sometime in the future, but until then, I’ll be creating stories and adventures that can accompany the young minds, for generations to come…
Join my website for book updates!
www.caesardanielswrites.com
For VFX Services:
www.vanguardstudiosvfx.com
How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?
I am a firm believer in giving art a chance, whether it’s a book, song, sculpture, movie, or play. Often, we dismiss certain art forms because they don’t align with our ideals or preferences of genre, or even at times, we don’t like the artist. However, embracing these new experiences can lead to a newfound appreciation for art and evoke unexpected emotions. I believe it is important to experience art firsthand, regardless of whether it’s controversial or widely admired, because when you form your own opinions based on personal feelings and moral values rather than the views of others, that’s when art has had an impact. Life is about experiencing, feeling, and living in the moment. Whether you attend a friend’s play or watch a movie that initially seems uninteresting, give it an opportunity. Even if the art itself doesn’t resonate with you, the shared experience with those around you might be enriching or even life-changing.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
For me, the most rewarding aspect of being an artist or creative is seeing how the community/audience reacts and gives feedback to my art done. When created with passion and intention, the art tends to speak to its viewers or consumers , and when they let you know how it has impacted them–that is a sentiment that cannot be replicated. This career path is often tough and brutal, with periods of little to no income and even at times, less than a few projects a year, which can become very depressing for any creative. That’s why it’s crucial to focus your energy and attention on the projects YOU truly want to make happen. The fulfillment comes when you start working on yourself and YOUR vision. While helping others is valuable for learning and creating connections, it’s essential to prioritize the projects you deem important and build your dreams around them. Write that script, shoot that short film, pitch that story—do whatever it takes to push your dreams forward. In the end, you’ll have something to show for.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.vanguardstudiosvfx.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/caesar_daniels/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558412652043
- Twitter: https://x.com/Caesar__Daniels
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuTt-av2rQN0gAHE-wZ6SeQ
- Other: https://www.amazon.com/Wrath-Wraith-King-Fantasy-Arcana-ebook/dp/B0CW1CT387?ref_=ast_author_dp
