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

Trishtan , appreciate you joining us today. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.

Being a creative person, most times, we are told we only use the left side of the brain. However, I tend to think I use both sides of my brain. Because right-side brain thinkers are more analytical and logical, and I think I’m that as well. I learned how to be your favorite producer by knowing my lane as a creative and every aspect of the entertainment business. As a PA, I was genuinely observant of all departments and what it took to be excellent in each lane. I wanted to know EVERYTHING. I wanted to know so that when I became who I am today; I knew what I was talking about while speaking to each department. I wanted to come from a place of being aware of what it takes to get everything done.

Knowing what I know now, I wouldn’t have wanted to speed up my process as I scaled in the business. I’m happy I wasn’t so eager to be someone I wasn’t ready or qualified to be yet. I think we go wrong by skipping steps to get to a title rather than genuinely putting in the work and being knowledgeable about our craft. Embracing every step of the way beacuse that’s what makes us stronger. You have people speeding up their process and truly don’t know some of the small intricacies that help you with your decision-making.

The skills I think were essential most to me are being able to identify good stories, knowing how to tell those stories authentically and once then the ability to get my talent to trust me to pull the best out of my talent.

I don’t think from the manner of anything getting in my way. As obstacles arrive I deal with them. In my mind that’s life. Nothing is perfect. we will always run into some set backs. But it’s how you over comes those hurtles, not to let anything prevnt you from your ultimate goals.

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?

My name is Trishtan Williams. I’m a Creator // Director // Showrunner // Executive Producer from Los Angeles, California, I was born and raised in the city of angels. I always knew I would be a producer because I’m extreamly creative. However, it happened fast. I had my son Songhai at 22, and I started producing at 23. I was an AP (Associate Producer), and at 24, I was officially a producer. I moved up fast, not because that was my intent but because of my knowledge and work ethic.

I got into the business because I lover everything about entertainment and the behind the scenes, I knew I wanted this for my life; I figured that out when I was in college, initially going to school to be a doctor. I had to be honest with myself and do what was in my soul and not say, “I’m going to be a doctor” because it sounded good. (Don’t get me wrong- I would be your favorite Pediatrician – In my next life), But in this current lifetime, I’m “Your Favorite Producer.”

After Producing for 10 years on some of your favorite show’s like The Amazing Race, America’s Next Top Model, Love Is Blind., etc. I created my own comapny called “Songhai’s World Inc.” My company is named after my son, Songhai. My company offers development and production services. My skill sets ranged from Documentaries to competition reality. I have both sides of the coin.

What sets me apart is my muscle memeory to tell stroies from different perspectives. I’m not one demencinal with the ability to only tell one genre of stories. That makes me very proud. I’m mostly proud that I’ve build up an empire that my son can look at me with inspiration knowing he can go into the worl and do anything be puts his mind to.

I would like people to know that anything is possible once you put your mind to it and stick throgh it – all the hard times, It will be worth it in the end.

Have you ever had to pivot?

I created a fantastic show, Supa Girlz, based on an Amazing dance professional // Teacher in Miami (Liberty City) who makes the best dancers in the world. When you think of the significant artists in the world and their background dancers and some of their training, you think of Mrs. Traci Young-Byron who produces excellent dancers and also demands the best from them when it comes to school. We sold Supa Girlz in 2019, right before the pandemic hit, which caused the show to be pushed back numerous times. Supa Girlz is genuinely one of my favorite projects I’ve ever done. The cinematography and storytelling are absolutely impeccable. And this show has not seen the day of life. I had to learn that everything is timing in this business. Saying that statement is a little scary because some content makes you feel like the charaters will be outdated based on when it’s put out. But What I learned is good storytelling never gets old. This particular show has gone through so many hurtles, so many ups and downs, and has given me so many feelings of a letdown, but I’ve learned how to pivot and adjust to the nature of the business. With me and my team being obidient and beliving in our project and never allowing the pitfalls of the business dereal the ultimate goal, Supa Girlz will now see the day of light in 2024.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

My particular goal and mission are to develop content and sell shows to networks. In this current place in my life, this goal drives me because I’m great about being in the field, on the ground doing the day-to-day dirty work to pull the show off. However, I want to challenge myself to step away and allow other people to see my vision and execute it to the best of their ability from my perspective. It sounds simple, but it’s a very hard skill set to deleqhish creative control without feeling like the story can only be told best if I’m in the field.

Contact Info:

• Website: trishtanwilliams.com
• Instagram: Trishtanw
• Facebook: Trishtan Williams
• Linkedin: Trishtan Williams
• Twitter: Trishtanw