Daily Inspiration: Meet Afonso Henrique

Today we’d like to introduce you to Afonso Henrique.

Hi Afonso, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I was born in Faro, Algarve, Portugal, where I grew up loving and participating in soccer, fishing, and playing on the beach. Despite these everyday activities, I had one interest that separated me from my contemporaries; my passion for drawing and creating stories. My mother cheerfully recalls me at two years old, happily running around with a piece of paper and pencil in hand. It was evident early on that my family knew I had an aptitude for art. When I was five, my mother, Maria, moved my sister and me to America to seek greater opportunities. Upon arrival, my family spent a few years in Brooklyn, New York, before packing up and settling in Harrison, New Jersey, a small quaint town not far from the major city of Newark. At the age of nine, while growing up in Harrison, I remained true to my passion and started making my own comic books with loose leaf paper, markers, and staples. Fostering this passion, I started collecting comic books and greatly admired Stan Lee and Bob Kane’s works. At the age of fourteen, I’ll never forget during the summer break from high school; I wrote my first feature script for the “X-Men.” Over the course of a hot summer weekend and consumed with creativity, I set forth working with the only tools available: markers and old resume paper I found in my grandfather’s desk. Using my vivid imagination, I created a vibrant story that I humorously made as rated ‘R.’ It was probably like 40 pages or something – I guess I was foreshadowing. As my writing and storytelling evolved, I started on my first major project, titled “Legends of Ezra,” which has now developed into a fantasy/adventure feature film series or possible animated TV Series. At the age of twenty, I joined the US Navy as a Mess/Culinary Specialist. During my time in the service, I explored the world, met incredible people, and went to war Operation Iraqi/Enduring Freedom (OIF-OEF.) During his time in the service, I became aware of my true calling – being a storyteller. An avid reader, I began studying filmmakers and artists that resonated with me, such as James Cameron, Stanley Kubrick, Ridley Scott, Peter Jackson, and Guillermo del Toro. Something about these specific Filmmakers stood out to me – they were world builders and engineers of characters like myself. Each possessing the freedom to exercise their incredible imaginations, dedication, and passion for their craft, while maintaining their individuality. (My Navy career started with the Seabees (NMCB 133) out of Gulfport, MS and then the ‘President’s Hospital’ at the National Naval Medical Center, now, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, in Bethesda, MD, and then lastly at Naval Station San Diego and Naval Air Base Coronado on a few ships.) After serving for twelve years, I decided it was time to go back to school to get my degree. This was for two reasons: First, I was ready to pursue my true calling in life – telling stories through film, just like the Filmmakers I respect and admire but more importantly, the second reason; my children. I have always wanted to set an example and show them that anything is possible with hard work and discipline and that life is what you make of it. While attaining my A.A. in Writing and Literature from the Borough of Manhattan Community College and a B.A. in Screenwriting and Film Studies from Brooklyn College, I was selected for a Screenwriter’s Fellowship with Time Warner. My determination and strong work ethic have earned me film awards as a writer and filmmaker, but that’s just the beginning. Today, I am a WGA East member and a professional Screenwriter working on Features and writing/developing TV shows. In just a few years, my passion and dedication for the love of my craft have blossomed. My writing and style have been noted and compared to Shane Black and Guillermo del Toro’s. I describe myself as a visionary to tell stories that resonate with the human and universal condition. I also believe we sometimes have to go through certain expeditions in our lives to prepare us for what we are truly meant to do in this world. The universe speaks to us, and if we don’t listen, we will miss out on the fruits of what it is offering.

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?
Since I was born, it hasn’t been easy. From my time as an impoverished child in Portugal to then coming to the United States with my mom, a single mother trying to make it on her own to high school when I was the athletic dork being picked on from time to time, I was different, a loner. Despite all that, I always held my chin up. I knew somewhere deep down inside despite my struggles at home and school, things would be okay. My Navy times were fun and, at the same time, very challenging since it was a new world for me. I remember not knowing much about anything when I first got into the Navy and was saluting the wrong people. It took me about a year to get the ropes, but after that, I was golden once I fell in love with what I was doing, and I think that’s a key in life – loving what you do. I traveled the world on a few ships, went to the war in Iraq under President Bush, and learned a lot about myself along the way. It was never easy, but it was worth every moment. When I got out of the Navy, I went back to school in Brooklyn, New York (Brooklyn College), and inevitably earned my degree in screenwriting and film. After that, I moved to LA right away and got into the industry. I had done a lot of writing when I was in New York, so I was ready to come out here. I made quite a few shorts and learned so much doing that with incredible people as I was still learning. I’ve been in LA for two years now, and with COVID, the industry has been locked down a bit, but I’m hoping once everything gets going again, everyone can start a new – fresh, ready to conquer cause I know I am. If I can add one more thing, I feel that you don’t know what you’re made of in life without obstacles. Pressure can do one of two things – turn you into a diamond or a lump of coal, and throughout history, we have seen this time and time again with incredible people with potential – but potential can only get you so far. It’s the hard work, determination, and spirit that define your character.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a screenwriter (WGA) and producer. I specialize in writing Sci-Fi/Fantasy and Thriller stories, whether it be Features or TV. I love creating stories from just an idea and fleshing them out into incredible worlds with powerful characters people can relate to and be inspired by. I’m a traditionalist when it comes to story in the sense of the Heroe’s Journey. Nothing is more powerful than seeing a flawed person overcome all the odds to find their true calling and winning in the end – that can go for a villain as well, which I do enjoy exploring as well. I have made a few shorts films, written a few features, a couple of pilots that I’m proud of. Every opportunity to create something is a step in the right direction for my career, personally and professionally. To be able to do what I love is something I am grateful for every day. I guess I would be cliché by saying my determination, discipline, and hard-working attitude, but that’s the truth. I work a 40-hour job and then come home and write or develop projects for 6 hours a night, usually about five days out of the week. When I’m not doing that, I’m researching or reading and finding time for a personal life. I always tell myself that there is someone out there doing something you’re not, and if you lolly-gag, they will pass you by, and I can’t let that happen. Moreover, I’m an avid believer that if an opportunity doesn’t knock, you kick down the door yourself by taking matters into your own hands. If they don’t see you, make them see you. Create your work so people can see what you are worth.

Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
For finding a mentor, I think the best thing to do is find someone who you are inspired by or someone who is doing what you want to do and reach out in a way where you can build a relationship personally and professionally. LinkedIn is an excellent way to reach out to people who do what you do. A great segway into connecting with them is by having an informational interview – it’s a significant baby step. From there, staying in touch and building with that person can lead to great opportunities. With that said, I think people need to remember it’s all about the relationship but for both sides. Clubhouse app has been a great way to get insight and connect with amazing and talented people in the industry as well. I’ve learned that people are inspired by people regardless of whether it’s from top to bottom. Someone has been where you have been before, and I like to believe that when someone comes along, that reminds them of themselves and how hungry they were, it inspires them to take someone under their wing. An important thing to remember is that people invest in people no matter how good you are at what you do. I mean, take a look at the industry. People will always hire those who are closest to them, their inner circle. That’s a fact of life whether you like it or not. Professionals want to surround themselves with people they like, that they see as themselves; it’s very similar to the military. What’s worked for me is being real and direct. I’ve never been a fan of beating around the bush or sugar-coating. I know what I want, and I go after it, and some people respect that because they feel the same way. Others don’t, but then you adapt. As long as you are real with yourself and them, it will be a win-win for all. Remember, this is about building relationships, not getting hookups.

Contact Info:

• Email: ajhenrique7@gmail.com
• Website: https://www.afonsojhenrique.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afonso.j.henrique/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/ajh3nrique