We recently connected with NEIL DMONTE and have shared our conversation below.

NEIL, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. I’m sure there have been days where the challenges of being an artist or creative force you to think about what it would be like to just have a regular job. When’s the last time you felt that way? Did you have any insights from the experience?

The answer is YES — I am very happy to be equally happy to be in artist + creative. Both of these jobs have their own set of challenges but also both appeal to my sense of wonder. As an artist, I develop my own work and also help clients express what their vision is while as a creative, I am involved with my own ‘world-building’ and focus on bringing my work and my writing partner Aaron’s stories into fruition.

There were a FEW times when I thought that having a regular 9-5 job would be helpful at cutting my stress level in half. I mean, let us face it – having a stable and steady source of income where I had a GUARANTEED paycheck once a week would help with bills, rising costs and living expenses – and the occasional trip to the local coffee shop. BUT, and this is a strong BUT, I would be sacrificing my soul and that is something I would not be happy about, especially in later years.

During the recent strikes, a lot of work dried up for both artists and creatives. The business came to a screeching halt and so many friends of mine decided to move out of LA or quit the business altogether. And now with the loom + doom of AI, many are wondering if filmmaking is even relevant. Well, Tom Cruise’s character ‘Vincent’ in the film COLLATERAL said the following:

“Okay, look, here’s the deal. Man, you were gonna drive me around tonight, never be the wiser, but El Gordo got in front of a window, did his high dive, we’re into Plan B. Still breathing? Now we gotta make the best of it, improvise, adapt to the environment, Darwin, shit happens, I Ching, whatever man, we gotta roll with it.”

Steve Martin said it best. And this may sound callous or cold but here it is: “I always say be so good they can’t ignore you and I just think that if somebody’s thinking how can I be really good people are going to come to you.”

And that is pretty much it.

You have to know in your gut that this is what you were meant to do.

NEIL, 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 got started in the film industry by a chance meeting with a makeup artist fresh out of ‘SC, where I went to school. He liked my art and paid me a small amount to do illustrations for his spfx makeup students’ creature mask designs. From then on, he passed my name around to fellow industry professionals. If anyone needed storyboards, quick sketches and concept art done (for a relatively cheap price), I would do it. I went from doing low-budget films to big-budget films and productions after a few years of being in the trenches. It was cool as I talked to a lot of people and learned about the business from both ends of the spectrum. And, most importantly, how each of their jobs worked. This learning curve is what eventually led me to becoming a director and producer.

I felt that my art jobs were becoming a bit too easy and not challenging enough, which is why I love producing and directing now. I still have so much to learn and I love talking to people on set and in meetings and finding out what they do when they are confronted with such strong egos. It is really all about being focused as well as being able to problem solve on the fly – how well we can work together as a team.

Starting the Hellbilly Clothing Company a few years ago is also a lot of fun! My friend Eli who runs Ghost Circus Apparel was instrumental with heling me making my decision come to life. I had a cool idea for a hoodie but did not know how to get it out there. So my partners Alex, Tobias + I started doing limited run releases and they kept selling out. So I think we really have something that caters to consumers. And we will be expanding the brand into new territories and with a cool new website in the future months.

I would say that my clients respect the fact that I do not ‘half ass’ anything. I give it my all with everything that I do. Anything less cheapens my brand. If you only have $100 to pay me for something, and if I accept, you will get the best one hundred bucks can get you. I have been lucky enough over the years that my co-workers and clients pass my name along and I never really had an interest in depending on agents and managers for work.

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

I remember when everything was going bad a few years back. Jobs kept falling through, the market was crashing and the calls for doing music and film work were coming to an abrupt halt. I saw it coming too. I always had a nice string of gigs that came in through word of mouth but the end of 2022 felt vehemently different.

I was just coming back into LA aftr being on tour as a drummer for a few months and the energy felt off. Never having to rely on agents or managers to get me work, I suddenly found myself having to make calls + sending out inquiry emails to colleagues seeing if there was anything available to get me through the holidays. Yet,…I kept waiting.

I had used up all of my savings from a finder’s fee deal I had done earlier and things were getting bad. I actually considered doing consulting work and even taking a part-time job working as an assistant to a friend of mine who was a handyman. Whereas I am and was EXTREMELY FORTUNATE + GRATEFUL for the work and opportunity, it was difficult especially during the long, hot summer months.

One thing that got me through? Knowing that NO ONE IS COMING TO SAVE ME. I had to man-up and do it anyway. You may have no support, no money + no help but you have to ‘ do it anyway’. And that requires a focused mindset. The old F.I.O. (Figure It Out).

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

Yes. My mission is to thrive and help my Mom get through her health situations. That is my NUMBER ONE PRIORITY. Getting my film and music productions out there will help out with the finances I need to help her and myself.

Secondly is being able to give back by mentoring or by helping set up grants for those in need whom are passionate about the arts.

Things have to come back full circle. You just cannot take without giving. You have to remove that flawed way of thinking.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.clanofthevein.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/clanofthevein/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/neil.dmonte
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/neil-d-monte-61631134/
• Twitter: https://x.com/neildmonte

Image Credits

Monique On, Chelsea Newman