Check Out Dashawn DeBose’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Dashawn DeBose.

Hi Dashawn, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I have always been a cinephile and an art enthusiasts from an early age, participating in art clubs and societies from the age of eight with work exhibited in competitions. I developed a strong knack for writing in particular at the age of nine, when the Florida state writing assessment prompted educators to center fourth grade education on writing skills. I happened to have scored the highest on the state assessment in the county (Seminole County). However, coming from a relatively small, rural community, careers in film nor art were an actuality. I spent several years working in grassroots organizing and local government, before being inspired to write a [poorly formatted] film script by a relative that had endeavored into the film industry, opening doors that were once nonexistent for myself. It wouldn’t be until five years later that I took action on executing the film, after fully transitioning from politics and committing to a film industry that was now experiencing a drought in opportunities. Using grassroots organizing experience and political knowledge on navigating business terrains, I founded the Les Maquis creative collaborative and produced the collaborative directorial film ‘Ashes Never Rest’ to create opportunities in an otherwise fruitless space.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The road has had more jagged edges than straight paths in endeavoring into the film industry. The immediate obstacle was finding space that allowed an upward scaling of growth, and I eventually found that such a space did not exist. In film, it became abundantly clear that if I were to never set on self producing an independent film I would have likely found myself trapped within the writers room for other production companies for eternity. Of course self producing came with its own struggles, as I didn’t want to simply say I made a film, but also did everything humanly possible to ensure the success of the project. That meant learning the business side of production at a rate I was never prepared for, yet nonetheless was required to adjust to. Agreements, contracts, licensing of music properties, insurances, distribution etc. I had to learn these things immediately in the process of self producing. The greatest obstacles, however, were all centered on personal development. Learning collaborative leadership, dealing with multiple personalities and needs, adjusting the flow and pace of the production team. If I never learned many of these lessons in stride, I’m unsure if the film would have ever been made.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Well I’m a filmmaker, with a specialty in writing which I leveraged to open doors in the industry, then pivoted those skills and additional experience to form a creative collaborative, now a production house, and direct and produce an independent films. I’m not known enough to be most known for anything, but the fact I’m known at all is what I’m most proud of. Its been a lot of work and a series of hurdles to overcome to reach the heights I have managed, and I did so with nothing but the wit and passion I possessed within myself, so I am proud that I’ve managed to make somewhat of a name for myself to even warrant such interviews such as this one. I also think that sentiment reflects the qualities that most set me apart from others. I’ve managed to alchemize my existence from nothing at all, what I desired I made into reality, but there is nonetheless this humility about it. Yes, I’ve managed to carve a path for myself and I did so by my own ability, but I’m still a quirky, soft spoken kid from Sanford, Florida. I just thank God I am able to do what I do.

Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
This is weirdly a question I often ask myself, as I’ve only understood or interpreted the person I was growing up through the lens and opinions of others. In reality, I yearn for that version of me, as all I can recall is that I was the most unambitious person. I excelled at a bit of everything, and nonetheless took an interest in nothing, and there was some freedom in that. I was the kid that could today say he was an artist, the next he was an athlete, and the next an archeologist and there was no indication based on my abilities that I couldn’t be those things. Looking back I think that caused frustration in many people, that there was this kid that was able to be great at the things they devoted themselves to and he took no serious interest in, but I know for a fact at the time I was oblivious to what others may have perceived as too much freedom. I simply existed, and that was a great thing, and it is a sacred thing that I hope to create space for others to do, because there was never any space for me to do so back home.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dashawndebose/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Dashawn-DeBose/61573851433871/#
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dashawn-debose-3b7596381
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@lesmaquiscollaborative?si=TbYz-1bRiHiHAZuU