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

Luner, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. The first dollar you earn is always exciting – it’s like the start of a new chapter and so we’d love to hear about the first time you sold or generated revenue from your creative work?

I had just released my first film, “Loving Till It Hurts,” via Amazon and Tubi in July 2019. Little did I know that the short film which I was inspired to write would become my sole source of income in the following year of 2020, marked by the Covid-19 shutdown. The first check I received that quarter was around $345, followed by $4,000. I recognized that these figures could have doubled with concerted efforts in pushing and promoting the project. I saw the genuine potential of being a true indie filmmaker.

On the last check, which amounted to $16,000, there was something profoundly gratifying about being able to call my cast and inform them of their earnings. Witnessing one of them tear up upon receiving the news brought me immense joy as a director. The journey of an indie filmmaker is arduous and demanding, yet it is undeniably rewarding for those who possess the resilience, strength, and courage to navigate the process. There are moments when you might face the prospect of losing your apartment or having your car repossessed. I experienced all of that. At one point, I confronted the possibility of spending 192 days in jail due to being $300 behind on my child support payments. However, I was resolute in my determination to not abandon my dream of being a filmmaker.

During that period of my life, I had just resigned from my former job as a graphic designer for a car wrap company. When I ventured into filmmaking, it wasn’t primarily for financial gain, as I lacked a model to follow, given that I didn’t know anyone making money in the film industry or securing distribution deals. Everything unfolded due to my unwavering drive and passion. Looking back, I genuinely believe that divine orchestration played a significant role in my journey. As an artist, it’s imperative to heed your intuition, regardless of the challenges and difficulties you encounter. Our dreams are inherently more valuable and substantial than the problems we face.

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

My journey in filmmaking began in 2008 when I took a leap of faith and decided to direct, write, and produce my first short film, “Employed: A Story of Blackmailer.” I entered this film into the Johnson & Johnson BET Lens on Talent Film Contest, hosted at that time by Actress Sanaa Lathan. With no experience in filmmaking or film school, I took the plunge, driven by an inner fire that compelled me forward. Les Brown, my favorite motivational speaker, often says, “Jump off the cliff and grow your wings as you go down.” It might sound risky, but it was the internal drive that pushed me over the edge. Despite the challenges, I became the crew alongside 7 cast members, managing tasks from adjusting lights and capturing audio to producing and directing.

In 2015, after three years of hard work, “Loving Till It Hurts,” a six-part feature film, marked my first completed feature film. Since its release in 2018, it has successfully streamed on Tubi and Amazon Prime. The same year, I launched a mini-series called “Bae Night,” which later evolved into “Bae Night: The Little Black Book.” This series transformed into my second feature film, premiering on February 11, 2023, and is now available on Amazon and Tubi for streaming.

Next on my journey is “Queen’s King,” my third feature film, set to premiere on August 26th, 2023. This premiere will be distinct from any others before it, and that’s what makes it exciting. You see, “Queen’s King” goes beyond being just another love story. It’s a narrative of unity within the black culture—a unity that is much needed. The film centers around an aspiring rap artist who grapples with the conflict between his music career and the allure of street life. This ongoing struggle, sadly, still resonates in the black culture today. Pursuing a dream or a rap career while simultaneously engaging in street life and crime isn’t viable. This realization sparked my inspiration to initiate a community movement, a global movement named “The Queen’s King Movement.” This is why our approach to the premiere of “Queen’s King” is unconventional. We’re asking everyone attending to purchase a Queen’s King hoodie as a symbol of their support for the movement.

The journey will begin with a pre-press launch party the day before the premiere. On the actual premiere day at Silverspot Cinema, Coconut Creek, FL, the hoodie-wearing attendees will come together and then be followed by an after party. The back of the hoodie proudly proclaims, “There is power in the unity of the black kings and queens.” Through this gesture, we stand against violence, gun violence, and disunity that continue to affect the black community.

I was also compelled to write a book on this subject matter and create the “Queen’s King Apparel” brand. This brand represents the strength of unity and the significance of standing together in the face of adversity. I am indeed spearheading a global movement that aims to inspire people of color to unite and stand against disunity, gun violence, and black-on-black crime. Additionally, the movement emphasizes the importance of promoting black love and recognizing the value of the black woman in the life of a black man. Marquis Henry, a friend of mine who I’m inspired by says, “The greatest way to destroy a kingdom is to have men and women fighting among each other, especially in the way we treat and mistreat each other when it comes to relationships!”

By supporting “The Queen’s King Movement,” you become part of a larger vision—a movement that will initiate conversations on unity within our community. Together, we can make a tangible difference and shape a brighter future for ourselves and the generations to come. Plus, everyone deserves a cozy hoodie to snuggle up in. Opt for one that’s not only soft and stylish but also carries profound meaning. It’s a brand with purpose. My commitment remains steadfast in promoting unity, particularly within the black community, where it’s truly needed.

I appreciate the opportunity to push for unity, especially within the black community. My role as the CEO of “Lunerversal Production” is both a privilege and a responsibility. My hope is that my dedication, passion, and love for the art of filmmaking will pave the way for a long and impactful career. The mission of “Lunerversal Production” is to educate, empower, and unify cultures through black cinema, creating opportunities for South Florida talent and fostering growth within the film industry.

Each film project comes with its unique set of challenges and obstacles, but they all share a common question: “How do we secure funding for these projects?” Identifying film investors remains a significant challenge for filmmakers today. My pursuit of potential investors has sometimes led me to individuals looking to exploit my intellectual property. Yet, within these challenges, I’ve found inspiration and motivation. In fact, some of my most profound work has emerged from these adversities. Filmmaking for me is more than just crafting films; it’s about building a sense of community and fostering unity among us. As an advocate for unity, I’ve discovered that working collaboratively, even with limited resources, enables us to overcome challenges and bring projects to fruition. Unity is a key solution to many of the social issues we face today.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

I’m an advocate for change! I wish more media outlets were like VoyagerMia and Shoutout Miami. You all are undeniably creating opportunities and shining a spotlight on local businesses, artists, actors, and more. As an indie filmmaker and local musician, I appreciate the exposure you provide. I’ve observed many social media platforms, radio shows, podcasts, and magazines consistently shedding light on celebrities and popular influencers. However, there are numerous local individuals, including myself, who are making significant contributions to the community, yet struggle to gain exposure, even after reaching out to these platforms.

I’ve mentioned to my friends that when I attain recognition and prominence, these same individuals will likely seek interviews from me. At that point, I won’t grant them the opportunity. It’s reminiscent of the question, “Where were you when I needed you the most?” However, I would gladly accept an interview from VoyagerMia and Shoutout Miami, as you both consistently show genuine support. You genuinely prioritize uplifting emerging individuals like myself and others within the community. I genuinely appreciate your efforts.

I want to challenge every radio station, TV channel, blogger, and influencer to consider shining a light on up-and-coming local artists and business owners. It would be valuable for them to allocate a portion of their platform to highlight local talents. After all, every celebrity was once a local artist themselves.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

I love creating opportunities for others. During the making of “Queen’s King,” I placed people in positions to gain visibility, hoping they could utilize this opportunity to enhance their brand, among other things. However, it seems that I can’t compel people to adopt the same level of passion and resilience that I possess. Regardless of how deeply I desire it for them, individuals must cultivate their own passion, determination, and reasons for pursuing their goals. Even though I ended up creating music, soundtracks, and scores for this project—not by choice—it was my disappointment in people that motivated me to persevere, to rise above setbacks, and to undertake these tasks myself.

I possess a wide range of talents, but I prefer not to handle everything, unless circumstances demand it. I’ve acquired three scripts that I’ve personally invested in and are ready to be brought to life. My aim is to build a robust body of work, and attempting to manage every aspect would only shortchange my potential for growth. Often, people fail to recognize the magnitude of an opportunity until after I’ve ceased collaborating with them. It’s only then that they start acknowledging the intentions behind my efforts on their behalf. I consistently advise others to exercise caution when choosing individuals to include in their circles of support.

I’m an advocate for unity, and it’s an initiative that’s deeply personal to me. Unity is the driving force behind my work, and I’m determined to make a lasting impact.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.lunerversalfilm.com/queen-s-king-movement
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lunerversalfilm/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LunerversalFilm
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/lunerversalfilm
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwShKfFpY1Nf-u9Fpju5TwA

Image Credits
Photos are taken by Ian Ramdial of @MyMaTV Media