We recently had the chance to connect with Steve Deering and have shared our conversation below.
Steve, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What are you most proud of building — that nobody sees?
As a screenwriter, there are many works I’ve created that have never left the blueprint phase of being a spec script. Many of these stories are ones that I am very proud of, but they exist in a state that does not yet have an audience. It’s an interesting thing to be so involved in a narrative, a world, and its characters and to have it remain such a private thing. However, I hope with some time, energy, and persistence, all of my stories will be able to reach an audience, entertain, and perhaps touch some lives.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi there! My name is Steve Deering. I’m a writer, director, and producer. I’ve spent over a decade as a creative consultant for companies like Slated, Stage 32, The Page Awards, and more. Through these companies, I’ve been able to assist on a variety of projects from the studio level to ones being crafted by up and coming filmmakers.
Over the past few years, I’ve begun shaping some projects of my own. I am currently pursuing sales for some of my higher budget scripts. However, inspired by seeing others take charge of their careers, I’ve also begun another micro budget side of my efforts and am self-producing a number of features at and below the $300,000 budget level. I’m doing this through my company Endless Autumn Films, a collection of creatives, filmmakers, and eccentrics. Some of our projects even exist at a “no budget” level, so while we wait for funding for higher level efforts, we can continue to move forward, shaping new content, honing our skills, and increasing our portfolios.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
Growing up, I bonded with my family members, particularly my father and my grandmother, through a shared love of movies. Being able to go to a theater together, enjoy a story, then discuss it afterwards to me was priceless. It has shaped some of my fondest memories and cemented my desire to make content that could allow for similar bonds to be formed through stories and storytelling.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
I wouldn’t say I was tempted to give up, but the post 2020 time was trying for us all. The industry has been going through some enormous changes ever since. Strikes, fires, AI. All of this is shaking up the movie business in ways we couldn’t expect. However, I was able to persist by just rearranging my mindset. Rather than waiting for things to become ideal, I’m finding paths to keep creating and to snowball efforts. It’s a challenging time for the industry, but it’s also a great time for resourceful creators to step up and show the world what they’re capable of.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Where are smart people getting it totally wrong today?
A project doesn’t succeed simply because it’s the best of the group. You can have an amazing script and never get it produced. You can have an amazing finished film and never get it distributed. It’s the teams behind the films and the energy between them that can make something a success. I’ve seen the best projects in the world stall and die because the team behind them didn’t have persistence and positivity. I’ve seen other projects that maybe weren’t the highest quality move forward because the teams were supportive, charged, and determined to succeed, no matter how long it might take or how much effort was needed. The people behind the films sometimes matter far more than the films themselves.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What are you doing today that won’t pay off for 7–10 years?
Many of my micro budget production efforts are designed to snowball. Make a project for next to no budget. Prove my ability. Show it off. Earn trust enough for a higher budget. Rinse and repeat. It’s a long stairway to climb, and I don’t expect immediate success, but having watched the paths of others, I’ve seen the results of this plan play off, and it all comes down to consistency in content creation and general persistence.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5244606/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thestevedeering/?hl=en
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-deering-24725476/
