We recently connected with Damondray Christle and have shared our conversation below.

Damondray, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you recount a story of an unexpected problem you’ve faced along the way?

So in the process of creating a film there is a lot of work that must be done to get the job done. Overall having the idea of a film is a beautiful thing but, some time the process can be hectic. In the midst of shooting a film the pandemic was taking place. So you know there are certain procedures that had to be done to even shoot specific days for a film that I am still in the process of creating. So if I can go back a tad bit, So before even shooting the film everything was smooth sailing getting the story board together building the crew and cast everything was perfect. We didn’t expect for a pandemic to take place unfortunately people were getting sick that was apart of the cast people not showing up people leaving the project sometimes it can be very tough and you have to keep your mind positive through that process because your intentions means we’ll but, sometimes people have other agendas I guess I’ll say. You have people trying to take over your project or gain ownership trying to fully change the story line it was a crazy time to say the least these things were literally happening toward what we created. Overall what I had to do was have a peace of mind but, stand ten toes down on what is going to be concerning the project and execute the ideas that we already had in mind. The reason why I kept bringing up the pandemic is because that right there slowed our process down in my eyes at least 85%. I was like I do hope our cast understand the process in filmmaking because not everybody do. Some people get impatient or maybe they new to filming and don’t know it takes time. We desire to bring good quality and we didn’t desire to rush the process and we wanted everything to be authentic but, at the same time keep working and keeping everything flowing if that makes sense. Overall we have planned to stick with our game plan we are almost done filming well not too far away to say the least. Again we chose a time to shoot our project and ran into stumbling blocks but, what I did was stuck to the script and kept it moving. You are going to lose people here and there that’s not willing to stay the journey and that’s ok. Everyone is not meant to go with you but, as long as you replace them with someone who sees the vision and want to bring it to life than that’s alright with me.

Damondray, 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?

Hey y’all I’m Damondray Christle from Dallas, Texas. I have been acting for quite sometime now. I have had the pleasure to work with people from all over the world and it brings me joy to have met those individuals they had let their light shine and I dig that. So I actually got into the acting industry when I was like 23 well I actually started acting in Highschool I remember being in a Highschool Musical Play that’s funny now when I think about it cause I use to love leaving class early just to go to rehearsal definitely if it was a class I didn’t want to be in but, anywho. I had picked it back up again after college and I was like this is fun and it became a passion of mine. I remember being on set of a movie and Numa Perrier was in it and some other dope amazing actors and actresses who I grew up watching. Numa sometimes direct Queen Sugar and she have her own movie on Netflix as well she helps Direct The Wonder Years from what I’ve seen to. I always tell her til this day how I enjoyed being in a scene with her and she always returns the love because that particular movie was the first movie I was ever apart of so I’m going to always remember that and that scene. So the thing is I literally got into acting just by showing up, You may be like showing up? My brother Brandon called me and said hey come to this set because he was already acting before me and so I’m rushing there trying to get on the set so I can be in the scenes and it literally started from there. I remember I was in my living room watching TV and I was channel checking and I saw the title of that same movie I was in with Numa and my brother and I was like I’m about to watch this. So I’m watching it and I see myself and I’m like I’m on tv and It was so cool because it was my first time ever seeing myself on tv. So the camera shows me and I just pause the tv literally just staring at the TV at myself and I said to myself this is what I’m going to do I’m going to act and I’m going to learn everything I need to know to be an awesome actor. Ever since that’s what I been doing, I went to auditions literally after that I was kind of nervous at first but, I showed up and got roles sometime I was an extra here and there it may not have been the specific role at times I auditioned for but, it opened doors for me and the roles were still cool and what’s crazy after while i even started directing my own movie ain’t that something and now a Sitcom as well. When you really focus on something it’s important to stay disciplined because if you’re disciplined you can reach higher heights do to your focus level being set on what you’re trying to achieve. When you know you need to be studying your script take out 30 minutes to an hour or how ever long you need and actually study do character breakdown learn who you’re about to portray. Own that character learn that characters gestures again make it yours. To me you’re being disciplined by even just taking out the time to literally study. So right now we are creating short stories for actors to act in were alot of these stories you may have seen in reality somewhere. I also feel that this also helps sharpen your acting skills up by being involved and doing it continuously. Even being behind the camera just learning how things work we are in the process of getting that started soon but, I’ll touch more on that soon on my Social Media for people who are interested once we are fully established on that. I think what sets me apart from others is because I genuine like to see people win I stay in my lane and I root people on from afar even in the process of me doing what needs to be done on my end. I honestly think we all can do good but, we have to remove those selfish mentalities and support one another that’s what I do. I literally try to support everyone I can hardly know you but, if I see it’s something you doing or trying to do I’m going to root you on or even share your stuff. Sharing people’s information on their business or etc can go a long way you never know who’s watching and it’s nice to be nice. I keep being excited for people outside myself. Well as of right now I’m getting ready to Direct a Sitcom Called Sadie Chronicles as I said a little earlier. This will be a pretty cool experience because this my first time directing a Sitcom so I’m going to have fun with it and make the best out of it we have a cool cast so far and I’m looking to see what they bring as well so I hope y’all tune in when the time comes! Once I commit to something I want to see it come to life I want it done. Whether I’m acting in it or behind the camera I want it to get finished that’s the goal for me. I want you guys to know if you stick with whatever your goals are anything is possible nothing is to hard for God he can help you through anything if you believe. I am a positive person and I love good energy I think that’s how things should be I know life comes and it can hit you hard but, we got to make the best out of the cards we are dealt but, let’s elevate higher everyone process is different and that’s cools, Go at your own pace this is a continuous ride.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

I would say what society could do is simply support. If a guy you know has a new book out and he is a new author go buy his book. Now if you don’t have the funds at the moment just simply share he has a new book out it is literally that simple and It will not cost you a penny to share. This goes for anybody who genuinely wants to support go to that poets show and go vibe and have a good time sometime just showing up could change the atmosphere for the better it goes back to genuine energy and wanting to see people thrive.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

Yes there is, I see so much talent around me and I desire to work with these creative talents as well. The time is now for greatness we have it in us to be something special something that haven’t yet been seen on camera. I want to create to give these people the platforms to show that skill and talent. Of course, I am an actor first but, I don’t mind acting and directing if need be . I just want to see us win and do great things that’s my motive that’s my mission.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Dakeemc1
• Facebook: Damondray Christle