We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful DeVonte Brown. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with DeVonte below.
DeVonte, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. 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?
I think If I was to start over today. I would’ve followed my gut more; listened to my inner self. I was slow to make some career choices which potentially slowed my growth in how people viewed me and the work I produced. I had plenty of peers and co workers giving me praise for the work I was doing, but never really giving me a shot at bigger opportunities when they came around.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I started my journey in the film industry in 2014 just before graduating college. It mostly started with me googling production companies around the city and sending in my resume I made in school for film project I had completed. Once I did that one company hired me on a commercial shoot as a PA ( production assistant); from that one job the snowball affect happened and before I knew it I was working as a PA for most companies around the city; I did 4 years in that position. Along the way I continued to shoot my own project with friends; music videos, wedding, and spec commercials, taking what I learned from the big commercial production set and applying them to my own. I never took my eye off the goal. After those four years I took the leap into another department AC ( Assistant Camera). I wanted to understand the technical aspect of my craft more so It only made sense for me to go that route. I did six years in that position learning and perfecting my knowledge; still never taking my eyes off the goal. Looking back I think the most valuable thing I had in those ten years was patience, discipline, humbleness, and grit.
I am now in leadership positions on production sets. Working alongside clients, agencies, and directors to produce commercial and social content for brands like Shyft, NFL Today, and KC Chiefs. Along with brand work I have shot a number of short films in my ten years as well as two features in the last two years. What I’m most proud of is that I can visually see the growth throughout the years. Anyone in this industry will tell you it’s not easy. The peaks are high and the valley’s are deep; but I’m still here. I think that, adversity speaks to my character and what I have to offer to any production I’m apart of. An understanding that we all enjoy what we’re doing and we can have a good time doing it; but still locking in and accomplish our goals we set worth for the day.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
For me the most rewarding aspect would be when a director, client or crew members face lights up about a shot or a moment that’s involved with what we’re doing. Or when a film my peers and I have created spark conversations with strangers.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
My particular goal currently is to lead a narrative feature film production all shot in KC. I believe there are to many talent crew and cast members here that get over look simply because we are in a fly over state. The talent here is booming, hungry and potent.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.devontebrown.com
- Instagram: devonte_m_brown
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/devonte-brown-8a71a264/
Image Credits
Lamal Mack Johanna Maureen Aaron Monson