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

Alright, David thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

As a kid, I actually dreamed of the lifestyle that I live today. I can remember as a teenager taking a lime green rug that my mother was discarding and cutting out my name and a star out of it and pasting in on the outside of my bedroom door. What’s funny is that today a few of those people that knew me then always ask me “how did you know”. At 17 I joined the United States Army and for almost 22 years served my country but that did not diminish my dream. In fact it solidified it because it allowed me to develop the confidence that I needed and the mindset required to pursue that dream. I begin to dream again and to believe in me which lead to the publishing of my first book “Can You Hear the Drums”. This book got into the hands of a playwright who thought my writing could allow him to transform his theater production into television. We collaborated and after 12 months we had a locally produced, shop drama formatted ,weekly television show on the air in Atlanta, Georgia. This collaboration lasted through four shows and 13 years. After that I had the vision to create my own independent film company and Drew2Media was born and is still alive and breathing….

David, 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 was born in Brooklyn, NY but raised in Augusta, Georgia and that is where I consider home. I graduated from the Academy of Richmond County after which I joined and spent 21 ½ years in the United States Army. After retiring in 1998, i enrolled and graduated Magna Cum Laude from Georgia Military College (Atlanta, GA) majoring in Education. I am also a member of the Phi Theta Kappa honor society, and an Eagle Scout, a ember of Who’s Who Among Students in American Junior Colleges, and a Bronze Star recipient from Operation Desert Shield/Storm where I served with the “Rock of the Marne” (Dogface Soldier) 3rd Infantry Division.

As an author, I experienced great success through the publishing of my first book of Poetry “Can You Hear the Drums” which is how i got connected with Bob J. Gaye and BJG Productions as a screenwriter. That alliance has enabled me to work in community television for thirteen years. This alliance also enabled me to garner experience both behind the camera, as a Producer and Director, as well as in front of the camera as a featured Actor.

My first Novel “Augusta Nights” chronicles the history of Augusta Georgia’s African American community and the life of the most powerful political family in the South.

I am one of the Executive Producers, Writers, Directors and featured Actors on “Cool Carolina Nights”,(formerly “Love Always Charleston”, “A-Town East” and Misty”), a Soap Opera drama from BJG TV/Theater Productions out of Decatur (Atlanta), GA. This independent drama is a “first” and is the longest running locally produced Soap Drama in the history of Atlanta (Community Cable) TV, airing for thirteen seasons. F.

In October 2012 I launched drew2mediadynamics, my own media production company which is working on a feature film, Gary Crenshaw’s “The Color of Rape”, a situation comedy, Jon Javere’s “Wedding Wrecker” (where he also stars as Poppa Mitchell) and a Pilot for the mini-series “Prentice Place” which is based on characters from his novel “Augusta Nights”. He has recently completed a Behind the Scenes video biography of four time Playwright of the year T.Y. Martin.

Drew2MediaDynamics is in pre-production for Christopher Garris’:”Cousins “Blood of my Blood)”, and post production for the mini-series “Prentice Place”.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

My drive stems from the fact that I wasn’t blessed with sons , instead God blessed me with two amazing daughters, Konica and Tse’lani, so I am the last Drew on the last branch on this tree of those with my last name. Ive heard about doing something with your dash, what that means is when you see a tombstone you see the date of birth then you see a “dash”, then there’s the date of death….wellllllll…..I am doing something with the dash that separates those dates. Its important to me that this dash includes great works and great achievements. Its important to me that I leave a legacy of value for my grandkids and my great grandkids. I have designed my life specifically for that purpose and it feels both good and right for me. The name may not live on but the legacy will and that’s what drives me.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being a filmmaker is that you get to see words on a page come to life. I am also blessed to be a writer, so when I envision characters that I created in my head come to life allows me to play God for a moment. Whether its my production or one that I have been hired to direct or whatever hat I wear the feeling is still the same. I get to see words on a printed page come to life. It’s really euphoric to see the manifestation, through the process itself come to life. It’s akin to learning to read or learning to write for the first time and it actually making sense to readers. It’s the power of creation itself. Who wouldn’t become enamored with that process? Im hooked for life.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.drew2mediadynamics.com
• Instagram: drewexec
• Facebook: Filmmaker David Drew
• Linkedin: David Drew
• Twitter: drewexec