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

Donterell, appreciate you joining us today. Do you feel you or your work has ever been misunderstood or mischaracterized? If so, tell us the story and how/why it happened and if there are any interesting learnings or insights you took from the experience?

I have never not been misunderstood to some greater or lesser degree. I feel like on this journey as a creative, as an artist, if you aren’t misunderstood then you’re probably not as creative as you think you are. Creatives are fundamentally innovators. And innovators are misunderstood, because the thing you are attempting is not only difficult, but it’s never been done “that way” before. And when something hasn’t been done “that way” and other’s have failed at the process of “that way” they will never be able to see your vision. But there will always be an exceptional few who will say “this sounds crazy, but I believe in YOU.” Keep those people near and dear to you. Greatness will always be met with great resistance. Mediocrity always wants to pull greatness down to it’s level.

Donterell, 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?

Who am I? I think foremost, I am a thinker. I analyze things. If anything I would say my super power is the ability to think critically. I got into the music industry many years ago when I moved to Philly. I ended up as a touring musician (keyboards and organ) with Chubby Checker. From there I left tour and got to work with some legendary acts like Bunny Sigler and Joe Stonestreet. After that I began working at Studio Breed in Philly as a producer. (It’s an amazing studio and if you’re ever in Philly, you should check it out!) I learned the ins and outs of music production and what that looked like. Fast forward a couple years and I was a background actor on the set of an independent film directed by Delia Wood. I asked who was scoring the film and she kinda curved me for a bit, and then, later on she circled back and I began composing for one of my favorite projects to date; a film called Cobwebs. It was challenging and took almost a year of consistent effort. So, all that to say, I am a musician, a music producer, and a composer. I was also a composer on the sold out opera “The Factotum” which was written by DJ King Rico and Will Liverman.

At another professional level, I am also an author. I recently finished my first novel, a fantasy book, called The Acherim: Journey To Save Lorne. It is a book about a boy who goes on a journey to save his sister after she is kidnapped by a mysterious mist. I am currently actively working to get that book published and optioned for film as well. I am incredibly grateful to my team and my editor Amanda Reynolds for tolerating me.

Overall, I am a renaissance man. I do almost all of the arts; draw, paint, play a few instruments, write, and act. If there were anything you needed to know about me, I think that pretty much sums it up.

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

Non-creatives will never understand your creative vision. Your job as a creative is to convey your message to the people who want to find YOU. Be your own biggest cheerleader. Not everyone has vision. And they don’t need to have vision. More importantly, even people you respect in your particular industry may struggle with seeing the vision you have for yourself and your career. Go forward ANYWAY! Don’t be dissuaded by other people’s lack of vision. If they were meant to have it, the vision would have been given to them. But the vision is UNIQUELY yours. Never forget that. Walk into rooms like God sent you, and be willing to lose everything betting on yourself. That is the only way to win.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The process of creating and sharing a finished product is my absolute favorite part. As creatives, we love community. And we love sharing the excitement of creating something new. So, for me, I think that is truly it, the community. Without community, what is art?

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @don_terell
• Facebook: Don Terell

Image Credits

None.