Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Dallas Currie. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Dallas, appreciate you joining us today. Earning a full time living from one’s creative career can be incredibly difficult. Have you been able to do so and if so, can you share some of the key parts of your journey and any important advice or lessons that might help creatives who haven’t been able to yet?

Since I was a teenager, I never really questioned what I was going to do. It wasn’t some revelatory moment where a camera went in my hand, dogma rays shined and swirling winds went around me. I just filmed my friends skateboarding, and just wanted to make skate videos like my favorite skaters parts. As time went on, I was asked to help on a family members video, then started PA’ing on sets from my aunt’s friend who was a producer. I didn’t mind staying overtime on sets, running extra errands, and making money felt like I was taking advantage of the people on set because I was having so much fun and learning so much.

There was a class in my high school that was working with a new startup, getting students into the advertising world, by the name “The Brand Lab”. The class felt natural and I felt like I understood what they were looking for without much effort. I ended up winning the internship out of the class and spent the summer as an intern at the local agency “Olson” (Now known as ICF).

I used that internship as a jumping off point for my career, and may have eluded the specifics of being a “brand lab” intern and just saying that I was a “Olson summer intern” for a little more clout. Following that summer I was able to get a internship TPT (PBS) in St paul working on the first season of a show by the name “MNO” (Now MN Originals). That connection came from another family friend that put in a word for me. I don’t remember if it was a paid position or how much, but like I said earlier, I just thought having the ability to work in the field was so cool that money wasn’t the objective.

From those experiences, I started making my own projects, finding film competitions, doing 48 hour film festivals, and just having fun with making stuff like I did when it all started with skateboarding.

The following years kept me in the advertising world, working for;
In house at – Aveda
post production house – Gaardhouse
Creative Agency – KNOCK INC
Moved to LA and worked for a larger tech company – Magic Leap

Then with covid, I got laid off, moved back to MPLS and tried the one thing I always wanted to get back to, being a freelancer.

With the past 15 years of working with teams and different companies, I’ve met so many amazing people that have helped me continue to make my dream career of making videos with my friends.

The most interesting part of the journey I went on is with every company and connection I’ve made, those people have all moved on in their life as well. So my network isn’t immediately working next to me, but actually spread out to all these new companies and agencies where I can work with them in a new light, and also continue to meet new friends.

Dallas, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’ve worn a lot of hats throughout my career, still in the realm of my craft, but managing different client needs. I’ve landed that my favorite aspect is working with a team of people with a camera in my hand. I still to this day think that it’s crazy that I can make a career out of something I naturally think is fun. I don’t like to clock in and clock out on a shoot, I’m usually having a couple too many conversations with people on the project about all the cool things we could do on the shoot to make it special.

As a DP, you’re always on the hunt for a way that you can differentiate yourself. I love the mixture of different kinds of projects, I really love very thought out commercial work with large teams working on each department, strong art design, wardrobe and talent.

Then being able to do smaller crew projects showcasing and authentic experience not many people get to experience, gives me a the itch for just going out and shooting.

With the love for motion picture, I also love still photography as well. You’ll find me with a film camera strapped across my shoulder at any time, and love shooting for clients as well. I’ve found a mutually beneficial ability with clients to provide still and motion on shoots where the project may not need a full team dedicated to still needs, but just need a couple deliverables.

How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?

Part of the enjoyment I get from being on set is the tools that I use to get the job done. Everyone’s different, a camera may not be important to you to capture the story, or it may just be something you need to use, but the ability and use of the camera isn’t too important. Don’t let anyone tell you how important aspects of the craft to you, buy cameras, try new things or don’t, as long as you enjoy it.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

I’m going to be “unlearning” this for probably the rest of my life, and that’s to make what you believe in. It’s hard to trust yourself when you see certain trends of work, or the way other people do it, but if you’re excited about it, do it.

Contact Info:

• Website: dallascurrie.com
• Instagram: @dallascurrie
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dallascurrie/

Image Credits
Chris McDuffie, Spencer Nelson, Bailey Tillman