Today we’d like to introduce you to Devany Greenwood.
Hi Devany, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Storytelling has always been at the core of my being–my life path has just taken me through several different iterations. During my childhood, I was completely enamored with the stage. Years of acting lessons, private coaches, several leading roles all amounted to a ceaseless feeling of emptiness. I always felt like something was missing. I left the stage to pursue a BFA in Creative Writing with a concentration in poetry. I always say poetry was my first love–an all-consuming, passionate affair that never *truly* leaves the soul however I still never felt wholly fulfilled. I wanted to push the boundaries of what I had learned to the visual–I wanted to marry the things I loved most about acting with a poetic canvas backdrop. Directing is my soul’s purpose in every sense of the word. It is the only time in the world that I truly feel complete–an adjoining symphony of all of the things I love most. Once I figured that out, I moved out to LA in 2018 to pursue a career in filmmaking–since then, I have been juggling working in specialty costumes & props w/ Global Effects Inc, running my production company Cosmica Productions, assistant directing on the side, and working on building my directing portfolio. That’s a lot of hats…I know. But I’ve NEVER been happier.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Oh, I’d love to meet the artist that doesn’t struggle! It’s part of the process. I feel like there’s no way to extract the challenge out of art. It gives it character; we have to fight for the things we love. Makes it all the more delicious at the end. Recently, we pulled off a feat like no other–I completed shooting my proof of concept for my feature script, Into the Thicket, back in September. We had a little less than a year to pull funding which was 90% self-funded during a time where we were going through some serious personal financial hardships. I was out of work for months due to a debilitating back injury and had to consider the reality that we might need to push the film back another year. It was around December 2021 where I had decided that no matter what the film was gunna get made this year, come hell or high water. I am still continuously impressed with the way I move oceans to make something happen when I set my mind to it. All artists deal with some degree of imposter syndrome and insecurity, so it’s nice to be reminded of our strength in adversity. The film was one of the most logistically complicated productions I’ve ever tackled–a three day venture that included shooting in both the High Desert and the redwoods of Big Sur. I could give you a thesis paper filled of challenges on just that one production alone–the way around it? Walk through it with a strong team. I’d be *nothing* without them. Challenges become bumps when you’re surrounded by the right people. Film is inherently fraught with uncertainty — collaboration and teamwork is key in overcoming any obstacle.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a French-American writer-director & executive producer/founder of Cosmica Productions. Most of my work is primarily rooted in poetics, exploring the feminine and unraveling the many layers of trauma. I recently completed a proof of concept for my feature script Into the Thicket, which was selected as a Semifinalist in WeScreenplay’s Feature Screenwriting Lab (2022) & Quarterfinalist in Outstanding Screenplays Feature Competition (2021). I’m gearing up for a (hopefully) successful festival circuit next year & to get the ball rolling on a green light for the feature. This story is the closest thing to my heart and I consider it to be my magnum opus–something so deeply personal and cathartic I hope to heal others with it too. It exists in a place where light meets dark and somehow makes sense of the inexplicable. An unapologetically feminine story, I’m excited to fight for this narrative to exist in the world. We need more women at the helm of these kinds of stories. That is a hill I’m more than willing to die on.
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
The most beautiful part of filmmaking IS the collaboration. If you would like to work together, collaborate on a story, or support ITT in its future development, please don’t hesitate to reach out via text/email/IG. I look forward to chatting with you!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.devanygreenwood.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/devanycalypso/?hl=en
- Other: https://www.cosmicaprods.com
Image Credits
Gabriel Alemany, Emma Wondra, Ana Sierra, Toby Canto
