We were lucky to catch up with Sasquatch Mansfield recently and have shared our conversation below.

Sasquatch, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you share a story about the kindest thing someone has done for you and why it mattered so much or was so meaningful to you?

Life gets kind of boring for me when I don’t have a rotating plate of options. Right now I am directing a documentary on wrongful convictions, filming and producing a series of short films about refugees, filming and producing entertainment content for youtube channels, building an off grid homestead and maintaining a creative community. Oh, and I’m recording a bunch of music for a secret project that not even my wife has heard. I like doing different things.

People love that Jack of all trades; master of none quote. I’ve heard it a million times. I’ve also been given advice my entire life that I should pick one thing. One thing to be known for and stick it out until you die. I think that’s kind of a crock of shit. I think we limit ourselves based on the perception of others. We think we need approval before we can move forward. It’s all so sub-conscience too. That bias is formed each time we see someone rewarded for playing within the guidelines that someone else (with presumably more power or authority) has created.

Artists are wild in heart and mind. A true artist is frustrated by “playing by the rules” or having to think about marketing strategies. The whole reason that artist became an artists was through shear curiosity and delight in making something by putting other things together. None linear thinking. 2 + 2 = 1 No one is there to tell you the grass needs to be green for this painting to meet standards. And no one should be there to tell you what medium or how many projects you are allowed to work on at the same time.

Jack of all trades; master of none. Maybe it’s not one trade you are mastering. Perhaps you’re mastering yourself.

I know this seems unrelated but trust me it’s worthwhile backstory. I’m giving you my biggest conviction.

I’m addicted to starting things which means inadvertently I’m also addicted to the possibility of failure. And it could be a little thing like starting a different way to do my mornings or something with bigger failure consequences like a business endeavor. You could get seasick they way the tides change in my life but my wife is always there. Sea legs and all. She’s an artist’s artist. She believes in the healing power of art in the world. She recites the great Neil Gaiman speech “Make great art. No matter what’s happening to you” to me. She has never once been frustrated by how meager some years were. She constantly supports all my projects of self expression. She lets me be me. I hope everyone get’s to experience that. It’s super kind to give people space like that.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Many roads have led me here.

Every 2 years, my family would pack up and move to a different place. Sometimes in the same city, but always far enough away that you couldn’t keep friendships. My brother was pretty much my only friend. Thank God we didn’t hate on each other. That would’ve made life a lot harder. I found some friends later in life and also the joy that there is in deeper relationships. Deeper connection.

Over the years, I’ve worn many hats – from a guitar maker to an entrepreneur and, eventually, a filmmaker. These may seem disparate on the surface, but they share a common thread of DIY ethos and craftsmanship. Making music instruments, businesses, or films is about expressing ideas and making a difference..

I believe my generation (millennials) was given the tools to make significant change. Unfortunately, most of them used it to err grievances. I’ve chosen to use these tools not for complaining, but for creating and connecting. The internet brings us together and helps us understand different cultures. It causes us to confront our biases.

Storytelling and communication are my main profession. Many clients come to me with compelling stories, messages, or ideas, but lack the tools or understanding to effectively communicate these to their target audience. I assist them in discovering the essence of their story and expressing it with honesty and passion.

My introduction to filmmaking was organic. Stories called to me – whether it’s through music, art, or human experiences. I felt a pull towards capturing these narratives and sharing them with the world. Film and photography presented the perfect medium to do this. It allowed me to merge my passion for storytelling, visual art, music, and social issues into a coherent, powerful form of expression.

I’ve always had an itch to build things from scratch, to learn by doing, and to see ideas come to fruition. Starting a business was the natural progression of these inclinations. It’s fun to create things for people to enjoy.

I thrive on the idea that you can create beautiful, functional things with your own hands. It’s a way for me to challenge the norms of consumer culture, to create instead of consume, and to infuse creativity and care into everything I do. Whether it’s a film, table, or friendships.

Every aspect of my journey, every hat I’ve worn, has led me to where I am today – a filmmaker, entrepreneur, and craftsman with a passion for storytelling, a desire to challenge norms, and a commitment to kindness, compassion and connectedness.

Life is art – you just have to learn to appreciate it.

Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

I wish someone would have told me that (most) people with experience love to share how to do “X Y or Z”. I had many connections at every bend in my myriad of careers, where I could have saved countless hours of torment. All I needed to do was call or walk up to someone with experience and say, “Hey, you’re really good at this. I’m trying to figure it out. Got any tips?” I’m not talking about walking up to Michael Jordan and asking. These would be people that are maybe one or two levels ahead. Then you get on their level and you find someone else that’s better than you and ask the same question. Repeat.

Be curious to find answers to the problems you’re finding in life. Pride gets you nowhere. I’m confidently humbly declaring I’m great at what I do but there’s always more to learn. We like streams not stagnate ponds. Always progress. Your network is your greatest resource. Search for deep connections and watch what happens.

Spoiler: Some of the time you get work but all of the time you feel more growth and peace.

Also the other trick, if your starting at zero friends in the industry like me, hire someone to do something, be friendly and fun to work with and become their friend. Boom. There ya go. You now know someone in the industry and a new cool [insert your desired industry] friend. Oh and you got to make some art together as an intro.

We’d love to hear your thoughts on NFTs. (Note: this is for education/entertainment purposes only, readers should not construe this as advice)

I can’t resist talking about NFTs because I guess they’re still a thing. It’s a money laundering thing right? Like all big movements in the markets. It’s just manufactured waves of currency crashing on another corporations beach. I kinda like em tho. I loved pogs and baseball cards growing up so I like the gotta catch em all feel.

Contact Info:

• Website: wilcodoc.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sasquatchmansfield
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheyDoExsist
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@SpitInOneHandMedia
• Other: sasquatchstudio.us

Image Credits
Photos by Sasquatch Mansfield and one from Dallen Drollette