Conversations with Derek Julian

Today we’d like to introduce you to Derek Julian.

Hi Derek, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I came to Los Angeles after college as the frontman of a band called The Deaf Pilots. After graduating from Chico State University, me, our drummer and our bassist moved here to pursue our music careers as a band. For 8 years, we played the LA scene in clubs like Viper Room, Troubadour and the Whisky. We released 3 albums and toured all over the west coast. It was an amazing journey.

However, in 2022, I decided that I was ready for a new path. Movies had always been a passion of mine in the background of my music ambitions. So when I left the band, I turned towards a career in film. My first film gigs were as a production assistant for my friend Jobe Juneau, a key grip who took me under his wing and introduced me to a wide range of individuals in the business. Furthermore, Jobe always found me paid gigs. Thanks Jobe.

One of the people that Jobe introduced me to was Matthew Michael Ross, an upcoming director in film. Jobe and I had a number of gigs assisting Matt and eventually we took a liking to one another. Matt could see that I was passionate about learning to direct. So when he committed to making his feature film, Invisible, he brought me on as his assistant director.

I was thrown into the fire. I had never worked as an AD and now I was working on my first feature film. I took advice from as many experienced crew members as I could. One of them was a seasoned 1st AD named Tony Adler who had worked on a long list of films including American Beauty. Whenever I had a question, I called Tony. The advice he gave me saved the gig for me and allowed me to approach the job with a much higher degree of professionalism.

As the Invisible project progressed, I eventually took on the role of co-producer and managed to get an acting role in the film. We slugged it out for three weeks with some of the best cast and crew I’ve had the pleasure of working with including DP Rod Sweeney, lead actor Zebedee Row, co-star Rachel Alig and many more. You can find Invisible on Prime Video now. Hope you give it a watch.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
My journey in entertainment has not been a smooth road. But that doesn’t mean I haven’t enjoyed the process. One of the hardest parts about pursuing a career as an artist/film maker, is that there is no direct path to a stable career. If you want to become a doctor or lawyer, there is a set path through an institution that you can follow. It’s hard work, but the steps are more or less laid out in front of you. But if you want to become a successful musician, a writer or a film director, it’s up to you to create and seek out the path. You have to be completely self reliant, self motivated and beyond optimistic in order to walk what often times feels like a very lonely road towards your dream.

But this hasn’t stopped me from trying because I am enjoying the process. I like creating and collaborating with others. As I continue to work on more projects, I have become good friends with fellow artists and now feel like I’m a part of a community who are headed in a similar direction. Getting started is the hardest part I think. Once you have the ball rolling, it’s easier to keep it that way.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Currently I’m specializing in directing and screenwriting. I’ve made a number of music videos for local LA musicians as well as my first two short films through LA City College.

The first short is called Strapped for Cash starring Michu Cure. It’s a fun, foot chase thriller about a down and out store clerk who comes across some cash in a crime scene.

The second one is ‘Dreams’, starring Garret Ryan. It tells the story of an upcoming musician from the perspective of his guitar. Strapped for Cash will be available on October 31st on my Youtube channel: Film Portal. ‘Dreams’ should be out early next year. I’m hoping to give it a run on the festival circuit.

Along with my ambitions as a director/writer, I’ve always been a natural performer. My most recent role is the character of Brandon in Invisible. Matthew worked with me one on one until we had the beats we wanted for the scene and I loved getting into character. So I’m planning on taking more acting roles as well. I’m also going to hold to my routes as a musician. I love writing music and performing onstage. It’s a god given gift and I plan to keep doing it forever.

What I think makes me unique is that picking up new skills seems to come natural to me. I love learning and believe that we can do anything we put our minds to. I think I would get bored only doing one thing and so I’ve branched out into directing, screenwriting, acting and more. Some people think that this means I would be a master of none of them, but I think having multiple skills is a way to get your foot in the door.

What does success mean to you?
I think success is finishing what you started. As a creative, it’s easy to get excited and inspired by a new idea. But it’s very difficult to see that idea through development and production to a finished project. That takes a lot of commitment, discipline, faith and sacrifice. If you can see your ideas through that journey, it shows that you’re willing to walk, not just talk.

In terms of my journey, making a living as a creative, in particular a film maker/musician, would be a great success for me.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://pro.imdb.com/name/nm14939671?s=62ccd0c7-cc71-011d-73c5-be3b1840c52a&site_preference=normal
• Instagram: derek_julian500
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/derek.julian.607285/
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@filmportal-rm6fb?si=fZQv85Aqr8g4TkPY
• Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7zG1YDA3jNjJAU63WEXyAU?si=bV8FHiG2R7qDsf-JayUdiQ

Image Credits
Main photo by Billy Bennight