We were lucky to catch up with Dan – Jamal Weekes recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Dan – Jamal thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. So, let’s imagine that you were advising someone who wanted to start something similar to you and they asked you what you would do differently in the startup-process knowing what you know now. How would you respond?

Looking back, I wish I had fully understood just how much I didn’t know at the time. I was always aware there was a gap between what I was doing in Barbados and what more established film industries were achieving, but I didn’t realize the full extent of what I needed to learn. If I had known, I would have made an effort to spend more time in a developed industry earlier, which is exactly what I’m doing now.

That said, I’m incredibly grateful for my experiences in Barbados—they taught me a lot and gave me a unique perspective. However, after spending time in larger film markets, I’ve gained a deep respect for how efficiently and effectively they operate. I believe having a solid understanding of both the Caribbean industry and more robust film markets is crucial for finding success, especially when working in a region like the Caribbean.

Dan – Jamal, 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 am a visual storyteller with a focus on cinematography and directing. I grew up in Barbados where I was connected to the creative industry. I was always telling stories either by coming up with creative story lines and choreographies for Hip-Hop dance performances, or via theatre arts. Once I picked up a camera I fell in love with the technical side of things as I stumbled through youtube learning how to execute the ideas I had in my head.

Over time, through persistence and countless learning experiences, I’ve developed a solid understanding of cinematography and storytelling. What has helped me stand out is the blend of creativity and technical knowledge. Having great ideas is important, but knowing how to execute them effectively is what makes the difference.

In late 2021, I moved from Barbados to Los Angeles to deepen my understanding of the film industry and continue honing my craft by learning from some of the best in the industry. My ultimate goal is to take the knowledge and experience I’ve gained and invest it back into the Caribbean film industry, helping to elevate storytelling from the region.

Can you talk to us about how you funded your business?

I really have to thank my parents for supporting my creative interests from the jump. When my father noticed I was into making videos, he bought me a little handycam for Christmas. I didn’t know much about filmmaking at the time, and the camera was limited in features, but I used it to shoot dance and music videos. As my passion grew, my parents recognized my love for filming and got me a Canon 7D DSLR. With that, I started filming more music videos, and even small corporate projects.

Once I made it clear that I wanted to pursue this as a career, my father invested in a basic 3-point lighting fluorescent bulb soft box kit for me. It wasn’t much, but with that setup, I started earning a bit of money. Instead of spending it, I reinvested almost everything into more equipment. By 2016, I was able to buy myself a full 4K cinema camera package, lenses, lights, audio gear, and a computer.

I’m incredibly grateful to my parents for believing in me and giving me the initial push. My message to others is simple; invest in yourself. Bet on your own potential. If you don’t believe in yourself enough to put in the time and resources, why should anyone else?

How do you keep your team’s morale high?

I recently returned to Barbados to direct a Web Series Pilot in Barbados and it was an incredible experience. As director it’s your job to communicate the overall vision and get people to rally behind that vision. Being on set can be a stressful and difficult at times. My advice would be to always remain respectful even when under pressure. Without respect, everything else crumbles pretty much immediately. I would add that choosing the right team for the circumstance is one of the most important elements of a successful project. I had a solid team around me with great attitudes and I could not have done it without them.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://dannyjfilms.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dannyjfilms/

Image Credits

Alexander James
Dicle Ozcer