We were lucky to catch up with Devante Blackwell recently and have shared our conversation below.

Devante, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We love asking folks what they would do differently if they were starting today – how they would speed up the process, etc. We’d love to hear how you would set everything up if you were to start from step 1 today.

If I were to start over, there are a couple of adjustments I’d make to better position myself for success. First, I’d consider pursuing a field of study that offers both job security and ties into my current path. Take, for instance, if I were aspiring to be a film director, enrolling in a business program would be a smart choice. Such a degree not only provides a reliable source of income by working within an established company but also equips you with valuable business acumen.

In the grand scheme of things, the film industry is indeed a business at its core. While it possesses a unique skill set compared to most other businesses, understanding its business aspects is essential. In the film industry, you often function as a freelancer, and having a strong business foundation can greatly benefit you in navigating this freelance lifestyle. Filmmaking itself can be learned and honed on the side.

By following this approach, you can maintain a stable financial footing without experiencing the financial highs and lows that often come with an all-or-nothing commitment. When there are no ongoing film or TV projects, there’s no job, and subsequently, no income. Those who dive in headfirst can find themselves lacking the necessary capital to keep things afloat. Conversely, pursuing a consistent job first enables you to accumulate the capital needed to kickstart your dream career.

Additionally, a valuable tip is to refrain from leaving your current job until your dream job has garnered enough momentum to support you financially, or until it becomes too demanding to juggle both roles. The transition to your dream job should occur when it necessitates more of your time.

Another aspect I’d approach differently is diligently seeking employment within a company or under someone in your desired field. This invaluable experience allows you to amass knowledge and establish relationships within the industry before branching out or going freelance. Building connections is paramount in any business, and the film industry is no exception; these relationships can prove instrumental in securing future work opportunities.

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

Since childhood, I’ve held a deep passion for movies, TV shows, and even those catchy commercials that stick in your head. My curiosity led me to explore the fascinating world behind the scenes. I began creating home movies and short films, constantly striving to improve and make my work more professional and similar to what I admired on established platforms.

In high school, I ventured into the commercial realm when I created a business for a class project. Graduating marked the beginning of a journey where I worked tirelessly at a petroleum refinery, dedicating over 87 hours a week to accumulate the capital needed to launch my own production company.

As the saying goes, “Rome wasn’t built in a day,” and the world of feature films and TV shows is no different. This prompted me to embark on a natural starting point by creating commercials for local businesses. Over time, I witnessed the evolution of the industry, not only in terms of commercials but also in the art of storytelling. Cinematic commercials and branded content became my focus because they are essentially miniature movies, and they offer more frequent opportunities than traditional film and TV production.

Don’t get me wrong; I still have an immense passion for directing movies and TV shows. However, the commercial production industry allows me to collaborate with a wide range of talent, crews, and brands, with the flexibility to work on diverse projects. One week it could be Mountain Dew, the next, Hulu. Additionally, the commercial sector often presents projects that are already green-lit, in contrast to the arduous development and funding process often associated with feature films.

Ultimately, whether it’s TV, film, or commercial production, these industries are businesses at their core. They demand a harmonious blend of artistic vision and a solid understanding of the business landscape.

I proudly run a TV, film, and production company called Captivating Cinema. We offer comprehensive production support, ranging from overseeing an entire project and handling logistics to providing specific services like camera operation. We tackle challenges from both marketing and production angles. On the marketing front, we ease the burden of video/commercial advertising for brands by transforming their ideas into polished products without requiring them to navigate the intricacies of production. From a production perspective, we’re the problem solvers, filling in any gaps a production might encounter. What sets us apart is our unwavering commitment to delivering top-notch services, reflected in our consistent five-star reviews from over 80 diverse clients across 400 projects.

I take immense pride in the diversity of clients we’ve had the privilege to serve over the years and the positive feedback we’ve earned from them. From cowboys and bulls to grade school kids and newborns, our journey has taken us from local commercials to collaborations with global giants like Disney and Hulu. What our clients can always expect from us is professionalism, transparent communication, and the highest quality finished product achievable within the given parameters.

How do you keep your team’s morale high?

The most valuable advice I can offer for effective team management and fostering high morale is rooted in careful preparation and adopting a servant-minded approach. When you’re in a leadership role, it’s crucial to invest time in thorough preparation to cultivate a clear vision that you can effectively communicate to your team. This vision serves as the guiding light that unites everyone toward common goals.

Furthermore, I strongly advocate for adopting a servant mindset as a leader. This approach involves actively seeking opportunities to support and empower your team members. Whether it’s identifying the tools they require to excel in their roles or recognizing when they are overwhelmed and finding ways to alleviate their burdens or celebrate their achievements, serving your team is paramount.

From my personal experience, leadership grounded in servant-minded principles consistently yields the most favorable outcomes compared to a more authoritarian style. It’s about working collaboratively, considering the needs of your team, and striving to create an environment where everyone can thrive.

My key to maintaining high morale is praying, leaning and depending on God to help me, having faith that he will, and having a mindset to solve problems and go up against obstacles versus a mindset of defeat or discouragement when things don’t go as planned or when issues arise.

In essence, successful team management and morale building are rooted in clear vision, servant leadership, faith, and a resilient problem-solving mindset. These principles enable a positive, collaborative, and productive team environment.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

One of the most effective ways I’ve grown my business is by teaming up and working alongside others. If you get involved in their projects, it allows you both to get to know one another better, builds trust, and expands your network in a way that truly benefits everyone involved.

Another winning strategy has been teaming up with businesses that either already use our services or need them. In my world of commercial advertising, there are marketing companies out there with clients who need what we offer but don’t handle production in-house. On the flip side, some businesses need commercials but don’t have marketing companies on board. No matter your industry, the idea is to collaborate by working on other people’s projects and finding those people or companies with service gaps you can fill effortlessly.

In a nutshell, it’s all about working together, building relationships, and identifying opportunities to bridge service gaps. It’s not only a great way to grow your business but also a fantastic way to expand your professional network.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.captivatingcinema.com/
• Instagram: https://www.captivatingcinema.com/
• Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/captivatingcinema
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/devante-blackwell-54331977
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/cc_studio23?lang=en
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/captivatingcinema
• Other: https://vimeo.com/captivatingcinema