We caught up with the brilliant and insightful DaQuan Brown a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi DaQuan, thanks for joining us today. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

I would say I always knew how to tell a story. My mother was a poet, and my grandfather was a published author. Since elementary school, I would write stories, poems, and plays all for fun and have my classmates either read or act out my work. It wasn’t until my sophomore year of high school I decided to take writing seriously; I was going to be a screenwriter. I had many people believe in me and teach me on this journey, but it was primarily self-taught. I watched YouTube videos, master classes, and read books every week if I wasn’t writing something. Skills I’d say are critical are consistency, ambition, and faith. In this profession, things aren’t going to happen overnight. You must stay committed to the craft and build it from the ground up. The obstacle that stood in my way was myself. It was always a mental battle for me. “ Am I good enough?” “ Why don’t people understand my work?” “ What I’m doing is different from everyone else.” Those were a few things that roamed in my head on a daily. One thing I could have done to speed up the process was to believe in myself.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

For those who don’t know, my name is DaQuan Brown. I am 18, a sophomore at Morehouse College from Decatur, Georgia. As stated in my previous answer, I was always a writer. The way I got into the filmmaking/ screenwriting game was very heartbreaking. Before, I was a football player, and I was just decent, never good. I asked my football coach one day why wasn’t I getting the “blessed to receive” ( college offers) when I worked harder than anyone. He told me, “football doesn’t owe you shit,” and that was the day I decided to take writing seriously. I wanted something that would give back what I put into it.

To my customers, I provide aid in their stories. Everyone has a story, but everyone doesn’t know how to tell it. I deliver my gift of storytelling. From photography, film, screenwriting, and videography, I can aid all my customers in the story they want to tell, and I won’t stop until the customer is 100 percent satisfied.

What sets me aside is my imagination. Not to say one is better than me or vice versa, but no one has my imagination. I often call my imagination “Black Neverlands” due to my stories and my career being dedicated to my people. From a black cast to a black crew and a black story, everything I do is black.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

Yes, there is! My goal is to inspire the next generation of young black boys and girls. Where I came from, it was like my people’s dreams were limited. There was a bubble on t what they thought they could do. I’ve spent all my life trying to figure out how I would do that and thankfully, God gave me the gift of storytelling. With my gift of storytelling, I can put it to screen and inspire them to believe they can do and be whatever in this world. Nothing is the limit; they are the limit. Hopefully, years later, I can see the fruits of my labor and see an increase in the black community and economy

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

Me being young is often crazy to a lot of people, but I would say my hard work. There was a time when I didn’t stop writing. I didn’t stop working. I didn’t stop trying to get my stories out there. Another thing would be my friends. My friends were my first audience and judges, and fans. As a creator having a solid friend group that will support you as if you have already made it is crucial. Shout out to the whole family!!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.canva.com/design/DAE88xa6xoU/PFnO5pSw8D7HWOkoazNDHQ/view
• Instagram: @quan.dawriter
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daquan-brown-2082921b4

Image Credits
@1konfilm