We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Dimitri Hale. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Dimitri below.

Dimitri, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

I released a short film on the anniversary of my father’s passing titled, “A Man That Once Walked This Earth.” I believed that my father’s passing helped me realized my calling on this Earth. I always had an interest in film and storytelling, but it wasn’t clear to me until I started to grieve. I filmed a lot of his last moments without realizing it. Once he passed, and I went back to everything I captured, and the peace it brought me and my family. The reactions I received and the messages I was sharing was bringing joy to other people, and that’s when I decided that this is what I should be doing. God made it abundantly clear and if I was 100% sure on something in life, is that this is what has God called me to do. But to fast forward to the production of the short film, it was years since my siblings have seen each other and it was the first time that we seen my brother’s daughters. So as second nature as it for me, I recorded all the moments we shared together. We made sure to visit our father’s grave and my perspective of visiting his grave, always has me stunned that a person who doesn’t exist anymore, has a lot evidence that proves that he has been here before and that he as left a positive mark on the world. The goal isn’t to live forever but to leave something that will. That’s the concept behind the film. I go into everybody project knowing that is going to outlive me, and that this also will be my proof of once existing on this earth.

Dimitri, 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?

I credit all the moments and places I’ve experienced in my life, as my path to being the creator I am. I was born and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Moved to Greenville, MS when I was 15, and then Durham, North Carolina when I was 18 and reside there to this day. Milwaukee was where the creative seed was planted. Surrounded and protected by the soil to bring nutrients to the seed. (Raised with love, taught discipline, strong family values, God Loving) Greenville was the water the seed needs. (The rainy days that moving from Milwaukee brought. I had to absorb the change, absorb the death of my father, absorb the confusion of how, I now have to move on with my life. I had to accept it for my own growth and maturity, but not only as a person but as an artist. Durham/Raleigh positioned the sun and shined the light for the seed to grow and the roots to spread. (Attending Living Arts College in Raleigh, NC taught me how to use my creative voice. It shined a light on me to be a light for others.) My purpose is to help people find theirs. Waking up everyday knowing you have a duty on this Earth is the reason why I wake up everyday. That’s true happiness in my opinion. No one wants to feel useless or not needed or unwanted. I try to express that in my art, so it will resonate with others of how to look for it themselves. I was influenced by Michael Jackson, Kobe Bryant, Tupac Shakur, Kendrick Lamar, Spike Lee, Bruce Lee, Martin Lawrence, Malcolm X, MLK, Rapsody, and others. I know the power of putting your soul into your work. It’s an extension of them. It comes with big responsibilities and I’m very cognizant of that. So I try to carry that same philosophy. The backstory of my film company “Ex Deo Films” represents that. Ex Deo is latin meaning “From God.” I believe that I understand God more, by being a creative myself. The inspiration behind choosing “Ex Deo” is from the “Creatio Ex Deo” the belief that God created the universe out of himself. I took on that because everything I write, produce or direct. I take a piece of myself. Every character, I know the beginning and end to their story. Just like God know ours. I love them, they’re made in my image. Understanding that not only made me love and connect with God more, but it also made me look at people through his eyes and lens. We all have a story, we all have our own journeys and paths, but we should continue to love each other, similar how God loves us, and how I love my characters. I’m the god and creator of the world I write and produce, but I’m also a creation of the Creator and almighty God. So it all comes back full circle. We are all “Ex Deo” “From God”

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

I want God to say that I used the gift he gave me to my fullest potential. When it’s all said and done, I want to make the world better than when I arrived. My creative journey is my life. I don’t separate the two. Just think of getting a gift for your birthday or for Christmas from your parents. You want everybody to see what they gifted you with. That’s how I view my creative gift. I want the world to see what God blessed me with, but not only for my personal gain but to let the world know, that you too are gifted. I’m forever grateful. I get overwhelmed of what I can do with it. I owe him and this world he put me on.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

When I graduated from film school, in 2015. I didn’t have any connections or internships to transition smoothly to the next phase of my career. About a a week later, I see that they’re filming for the Tupac biopic “All Eyes On Me” on instagram. I was so excited because I’m a huge Tupac fan and loved that they’re finally coming out with a movie. I looked for updates and kept an eye on the production. A few weeks later, I seen that they were casting for extras. I didn’t know anything about submitting for casting calls but I just went through with it. Then one day I got a call and they asked for my availability in Atlanta. I told them I would make it. So I told my mom and she helped me get a Megabus ticket to Atlanta. But I still haven’t received any following information. I finally made it to Atlanta and stayed at my cousin Tiger’s apartment. Still with no information. I dm’d some of the extra casting directors and was told that if I wasn’t contacted with information then that means I wasn’t booked. I was hurt because I came all the way down there and wasn’t even able to live out my dream. The lady said she’ll reach back out I waited hours for them and they finally booked me in another scene for that following morning. I was so happy, I didn’t care about what scene I was in. I just wanted to be a part of the production. My experience on the set was very humbling but the resilience side came from off the set. I didn’t have money, no car, and was bouncing around couches to fulfill a dream of mine. Not knowing when the next booking was gonna be, I stayed consistent with it. Met a lot of people that educated me on how the production process works. Things I didn’t learn in school. This was the real test for me. With that information, I ended up getting booked for more productions, like “Greenleaf” “The Originals” “The Walking Dead.” I didn’t care how broke I was, or the limited access to transportation I had. I was determined to find a way. I also received a lot of help and I want to thank. every single person that helped me elevate myself on their expense. I remember not having money for food, so I would take multiple plates of food from catering and spread the plates throughout the days I wasn’t on set. I only could afford to give people $5-$10 for gas to drive me 50 mins out the way to film “The Walking Dead.” Their patience has brought me far and I want them to see their sacrifice paying off.

In 2017. My mother decided that she was moving from North Carolina. I currently was working on a passion project that I felt I had to finish. I was scared because I felt that I had to shift my focus off of what I wanted to do artistically and now focus on where I was gonna live. She said that I could move with her but something to told me to stay in North Carolina. I helped pack up the house and moved my stuff to my former classmates, apartment. (Albert “Doobie” Greene). He had an extra bedroom and originally the plan was to just finish my project and move back with my mom in a new state. But a lot of other things derailed my plans and I stopped pursuing that project and now I had to survive. Walking Dead checks were my only source of income. I still didn’t have a job or a car but my passion was feeding me. I didn’t have a bed in the room I was staying in, so I slept on the floor. I only could afford $50 a month for Doobie but he accepted it because he knows that I was trying. I received a call from my friend (Jerel Hunter) from my church “World Overcomers Christian Church” asking do I want to make $300. I jumped to the opportunity and he said the job is to edit for a concert movie for Marcus Anderson. I needed it desperately but didn’t realize this project would change my life. I already attended the church, so I was familiar with most of the media team. So Jerel would pick me up from Doobie’s house and drive me to start working on the concert film. It took me awhile to finish it but by me always being at the church, they recognized my skillset and offered me an internship there. I interned for months, no money, still no car. Just will, dedication, and ambition. I finally got the job and it has impacted my life in every way imaginable. I moved out on faith and God has put the right people around me and I’m forever grateful for everyone who has gotten me to this point.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @dimitrihale @kingmeech414
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/exdeofilms/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@exdeofilms

Image Credits
Ex Deo Films