Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Ron Dias Joanne Jansen aka “Aussie”. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Ron Dias , appreciate you joining us today. How did you come up with the idea for your business?

Our journey started back in 2016 with just a bunch of friends and a shared love for storytelling. We were clueless about filmmaking, to be honest. We got our hands on a cinema camera and dived headfirst into the world of YouTube tutorials, learning everything from how to hold a camera steady to basic lighting techniques.

Our first project, “Friends with Benefits,” was a true labor of love. We roped in our friends as actors, and we even used iPhone mics for audio recording! It was a DIY adventure from start to finish. But you know what? It worked! People loved it, and before we knew it, we were racking up millions of views.

Getting nominated at the LA Web Fest in 2017 was a huge validation for us at the time. It was like, “Wow, people actually think our little passion project is worth something!” That’s when we knew we were onto something special.

What got us really excited was the idea of telling stories in our own unique way. We weren’t trying to follow some formula or fit into a specific genre. We just wanted to create content that felt real and relatable. And it turned out, there were a lot of people out there who resonated with that.

Fast forward to today, and we’ve got two feature films under our belt. It’s been an incredible journey, full of ups and downs, but we wouldn’t trade it for anything. We’re still learning and growing every day, but one thing’s for sure: we’re here to stay, and we’re not afraid to keep pushing the boundaries of storytelling.

Ron Dias , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

We’re Ron Dias and Joanne Jansen, the dynamic duo behind Ron And Aussie Studios. Our journey into the world of filmmaking started with a shared passion for storytelling, but it really kicked into high gear around 2020. With everyone stuck indoors due to the pandemic, we saw an opportunity to dive headfirst into our craft.

We focused on writing and storytelling, pouring our hearts and souls into developing scripts and fleshing out ideas. It was a time of intense creativity and reflection, and out of that came our first independent film, “Bite of Mango.” Since there wasn’t much happening in the film industry during Covid, we decided to take matters into our own hands and bring our vision to life.

We handled everything from pre-production to post-production, wearing multiple hats along the way. And let me tell you, seeing our film come to life was a surreal experience. But the real magic happened when “Bite of Mango” started gaining traction on the festival circuit. Its world premiere at the American Black Film Festival was a turning point for us, surrounded by Hollywood heavyweights and industry insiders.

From there, we continued to make waves, with premieres at the Reel World Film Festival in Toronto and a streaming release on AMC. It was a whirlwind journey, but one that we wouldn’t trade for anything. And just when we thought things couldn’t get any better, we embarked on our second feature film.

This time around, we had been working on the project for five years, pouring our blood, sweat, and tears into every frame. And you know what? The payoff was worth it. We wrapped up production on the last hour of 2023, and let me tell you, it was a beautiful thing.

What sets us apart is our dedication to storytelling and our willingness to take risks. We’re not afraid to think outside the box and challenge the status quo. And above all else, we’re proud of the fact that we get to work with our friends and create something truly magical together.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

One lesson that we had to unlearn was the belief that we needed to wait for the “perfect” conditions to start our projects. In the early days, we often found ourselves waiting for the right equipment, the right team, or the right timing before diving into our creative endeavors. However, the backstory behind this lesson taught us that sometimes, waiting for perfection can be a trap that prevents us from ever getting started.

The turning point came when we realized that we didn’t need fancy equipment or a large budget to tell compelling stories. With just a basic camera and a lot of passion, we were able to create “Friends with Benefits” and later, “Bite of Mango.” These projects taught us that creativity thrives in constraints and that sometimes, imperfection can be the key to authenticity.

So, we unlearned the notion that everything had to be “perfect” before we could start. Instead, we embraced the idea of taking imperfect action and learning along the way. This shift in mindset allowed us to break free from the paralysis of waiting and start bringing our ideas to life. And looking back, it’s clear that some of our most successful projects came from taking that leap of faith and embracing imperfection.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

One lesson that we had to unlearn was the belief that we needed to wait for the “perfect” conditions to start our projects. In the early days, we often found ourselves waiting for the right equipment, the right team, or the right timing before diving into our creative endeavors. However, the backstory behind this lesson taught us that sometimes, waiting for perfection can be a trap that prevents us from ever getting started.

The turning point came when we realized that we didn’t need fancy equipment or a large budget to tell compelling stories. With just a basic camera and a lot of passion, we were able to create “Friends with Benefits” and later, “Bite of Mango.” These projects taught us that creativity thrives in constraints and that sometimes, imperfection can be the key to authenticity.

So, we unlearned the notion that everything had to be “perfect” before we could start. Instead, we embraced the idea of taking imperfect action and learning along the way. This shift in mindset allowed us to break free from the paralysis of waiting and start bringing our ideas to life. And looking back, it’s clear that some of our most successful projects came from taking that leap of faith and embracing imperfection.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.ronandaussie.com
• Instagram: ronandaussie
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ron-and-aussie-productions/

Image Credits
Photographer: Marvin Morgan Styled by: Chanice Boyd