We were lucky to catch up with David Anderson recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi David, thanks for joining us today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

Both me and Ray are self taught. We learned everything either from google, Youtube, watching behind the scenes featurettes and just practicing what we’ve learned. When it comes to art, and being creative, I believe it is something that you are born with. Although schooling can help with learning some insider secrets, it seems more like a way to get more connections with other people. Besides, while working on set, you begin to learn better ways to film. I wouldn’t say anything stood in the way of learning, other than having the opportunities to actually put the work in and learn while on set.

David, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

David – My name is David O. Anderson, and I am a filmmaker. I started out as wanting to be a songwriter/rapper. I’ve made about 3 songs and that was it. But I’ve always enjoyed telling stories. Since I was a kid I would write a bunch of stories, usually in multiple composition notebooks. As I got older I would continue writing short stories, but it wasn’t until I turned 23 when I decided to dedicate my time to making films. Now I did want to be apart of filmmaking as a kid, but it wasn’t really calling until I was in my 20’s.

I got my first camera, Panasonic Lumix GH4 and at first just did music videos for people. Shortly after I built up the courage to make my first short film “Break”. Unfortunately the movie is still sitting on a hard drive some where, not completed, but i wrote, directed, shot, edited, and starred in it. I want to complete it some day, but I wanted to move on without being in front of the camera. I created the production name “ComposedIMAGE” That’s when I entered the Buffalo 48 Hour Film Project. 48 hours to write, film, and edit a short movie no more than 8 minutes and no less than 4. The film was called “Unchaste” and i did not act in it. I also won best sound design. I usually get my ideas from dreams that I have, and because I enjoyed the rush of creating my first film, I decided to make more. My next short film was “Ashes to Ashes”, then “Looking to be found”, “The beginning”, and “Holy night” That’s when I met Ray.

Ray was really interested in meeting me. One of the actors I worked with introduced me to him. Ray really enjoyed my work and wanted to work with me. Few months later I had the opportunity to create a show for a public access channel. When I started looking for other people to help me, Ray was the first one to call. From there we created the series “Unusual Attraction”. That’s when we came together and created the production company “Luminary Figures Group”. Its been a ride since then and a smooth ride it has been. We’ve entered the 48 hour project numerous of times, and now we have just completed our feature film “Slapped Straight”. The ride will not be ending any time soon.

We do offer services as well. From music videos to weddings. to full movie production. We want to bring the opportunities to up and coming actors to be in enjoyable movies, and we do put our love in our work. I know I do! What sets us apart is the synergy me and Ray have. We bring each others skills to the table and our different experiences that work perfectly together. Always seek to create quality work as its my legacy and I enjoy creating things. Mostly, I enjoy creating movies that move people. All of our work can be found at luminaryfigures.com

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Ray – My name is Raynel T. Almonte, and I would like to share with you my artistic journey, inspirations, focus, mission, problem-solving approach, and what sets me apart as an artist.
I was born and raised in the vibrant city of New York, an environment that exposed me to diverse cultures and artistic expressions. It was there that I discovered my deep love for hip-hop music, which became the driving force behind my artistic journey. As an emcee, I honed my skills and quickly gained recognition for my raw talent and captivating stage presence within the underground hip-hop scene. This early success propelled me to become a respected figure in the local hip-hop community.

However, I knew that my creative potential extended beyond music. Seeking new opportunities for growth and exploration, I ventured to Buffalo, NY, where I joined forces with the Baby Steps Buffalo hip-hop movement. This transformative period allowed me to delve into various aspects of the music industry, including engineering, producing, and graphic design. I dedicated myself to my craft, creating music videos, graphic t-shirts, and posters that resonated with artists and audiences alike. My versatility and innovative approach caught the attention of the hit Netflix series “Dexter,” which featured one of my songs in its eighth season, validating my talents and propelling me further.

Yet, my artistic journey did not stop at music. I felt a deep calling to express myself through the medium of film, despite having no prior knowledge or experience in filmmaking. With courage and determination, I took a leap of faith and embarked on an incredible journey of self-discovery and self-expression. I financed, filmed, directed, edited, sound scored, and produced my first full-feature film, “Living in B Minor.” While it did not receive widespread critical acclaim, the completion of this project ignited a passion within me for the art of cinematic storytelling.

Undeterred by initial setbacks, I poured my energy into my second full-feature film, “Smart Marks.” This project became a labor of love as I embraced multiple roles, including writing, directing, producing, editing, problem-solving, and sound scoring. The film’s success, winning accolades such as the honorable mention Golden Stake Award and the Silver Bullet Award at the esteemed Shock Film Festival, solidified my position as a visionary filmmaker. It affirmed my dedication to the art of storytelling and reinforced my belief in the power of film as a medium to captivate and connect with audiences.

In my pursuit of artistic growth and collaboration, I joined forces with David O Anderson to establish Luminary Figures Group, a film production company. Together, we embarked on a creative journey that resulted in the creation of captivating works such as the TV series “Unusual Attraction” and the critically acclaimed short film “Take Me.” These projects received awards, including the Best Writing Award at the Buffalo 48 Hour Film Project and the Best Direction Award for “Degraded” in the same competition in New York City. We also created the thought-provoking short film “Wanksta, Project Genesis” and recently completed our latest full-feature film, “Slapped Straight,” the world’s first slap fighting movie.

My focus as an artist has always been to captivate audiences and leave an indelible mark on the world of music and film. I pour my heart and soul into each project, utilizing my diverse skill set to finance, facilitate, film, direct, edit, sound score, create, and produce compelling works. I firmly believe that storytelling is a powerful tool capable of inspiring change, encouraging dialogue, and fostering a deeper connection among people from all walks of life. My mission is to share stories that evoke emotions, provoke thoughts, and ultimately contribute to our shared human experience.

What sets me apart as an artist is not only my talent and versatility but also my unwavering dedication to problem-solving. I approach each project with a solution-oriented mindset, embracing the challenges and obstacles that come my way. I am constantly pushing boundaries, exploring new techniques, and seeking innovative ways to bring my creative visions to life. This mindset allows me to navigate the complex landscape of art and find unique solutions to artistic problems.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

Being able to see something, and bring it to life, and watch how it affects other people who watch it. It could be a bit tedious and tiresome creating a film, rather its writing it, preparing for it, filming it, and post production, but the reward is much higher than the short amount of time it takes to be tired. Generally, its just being able to create what you see in your head, but overall, its the emotion and response from the audience that is really the most rewarding.

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

The goal is to own the Luminary Figures Group production building and be as big as Paramount, or A24, or Tyler Perry productions. It is also the goal to normally have the budget to make any film we want to make. To make classics.

Contact Info:

• Website: Luminaryfigures.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LuminaryFigures
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@luminaryfigures5849

Image Credits
Sandeep Annam was the photographer of the pictures from the premiere where David is in the red suit.