Daily Inspiration: Meet Maalik Evans

Today we’d like to introduce you to Maalik Evans.

Hi Maalik, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I’m an east coast native, which I take an immense amount of pride in. I was born in Washington D.C. and raised in Maryland. And I remember growing up how much film and music was a big part of my upbringing. It has influenced so much of how I write scripts, how I act, and how I connect with people. After graduating from high school, I moved to the boogie down Bronx. While a lot of my friends went off to college or stayed in Maryland, I thought why not thrust myself into the real world and pursue my passion of acting while living on my own and working–so that’s what I did. Real talk, moving to NYC was one of the best experiences in my life. It came with a lot of a struggle and discovering myself, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything. At the time, I was trying to understand the bizarre, intense world of acting and trying to make ends meet at the age of 18. So I worked in a restaurant in East Midtown, I know, typical. While working, I would submit myself for gigs via Actors Access and Casting Networks and go to casting director workshops and acting classes. Sometimes all at the same time and sometimes not at all. Eventually after auditioning like a crazy person, I got a leading role in an indie film called If I Should Die Before I Wake, directed by Eric Ayala. At the time, I had just turned 20 years old, so it was such a big deal for me because I practically didn’t book anything for like a year and a half while living in New York. I mean, occasionally I would get a print/modeling gig, but this was my first speaking role in a film and I was getting paid.

Anyways, production flew me down to ATL and I filmed for a week during Ramadan, which that was an experience in of itself. Fasting and acting do not go together. The whole experience was definitely a dream come true. After I had did that film, I worked on some non-union pilot out in New Jersey and I worked on a web series in Brooklyn, both of which unfortunately didn’t blossom the way I would’ve hoped. But, hey, it happens and it’s a part of working in this industry. I definitely met some cool people along the way and made some great friends. By the end of 2016, I felt pretty down about acting and I had so many ideas for films, as well as TV shows. So an actor friend of mines, Atika Greene, who had just moved to Los Angeles, recommended to me that I should write my own script. And I looked at my phone like, girl what? I didn’t think little old me could do such a thing. I kept telling myself, that’s for “real writers”, or that’s for “the greats, not me.” I mean, as a kid I would write short stories, but not a whole script, although I always secretly dreamed of doing it. So, I gave it a shot and wrote a TV pilot, which then led to me writing a horror film. So in January 2017 I moved to Los Angeles, not necessarily to pursue acting or screenwriting, but more so to explore the world, my boundaries, and most of all the amazing weather.

Especially being from the east coast, I was over the winter. Well, I’m glad I listened to Atika because who knew four years later I would have five scripts to my name, be signed to a dope theatrical/literary manager, and a well-known literary agent. When I look back on it if I didn’t listen to Atika, who knows where I would’ve been. The whole experience is kind of surreal and it also made me realize that you literally can talk yourself out of a blessing if you allow your brain to trick you. I tend to be self-deprecating, so the pendulum can swing either way really easily, but I’m glad I allowed myself to try something new and that it’s been working out. That’s not to say I wouldn’t have eventually found my way to screenwriting, but my friend challenging me on it definitely quickened the process. It’s pretty cool that I get to do both acting and screenwriting. Makes me feel like what Issa Rae did with Awkward Black Girl which then led to HBO’s Insecure is very much attainable. Although Issa is a powerhouse and I can only dream of getting to her level. Definitely would love to work with her some day, putting that good energy out there.

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?
It hasn’t been a smooth road at all. Finding the right reps has definitely made it easier and a solid group of friends, as well as my family has made it easier. But this industry involves so much patience, timing, and Allah’s(God’s) will. The sheer rejection I deal with not just from acting but from screenwriting is enough to make me want to give up half the time. It’s like, oh, I didn’t get the role and XY&Z doesn’t want my script, great! But because I love it so much, it’s hard to imagine what else I would be doing, so that keeps me going to a degree.

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’m an actor-screenwriter. Which is gradually evolving to film directing, jury is still out on that one though. I think what I’m most proud of is that I know myself pretty well and that don’t allow myself to conform or get stuck in one place for too long. Or, I’d like to hope so. As a writer, I’m so in tune with what I like and what I want to see on film that I believe it’s actually helped me immensely. I love dark dramas and horror, that’s my niche. That being said, it’s easier for me to navigate than someone else who’s trying to figure out what the “industry” wants. Bump that, beloved. Write what you want and then tailor it to the industry/your audience. Same with my acting career. I think I’m at a better place with letting things go after an audition. I just let it be and if they like me, they like me.

Any big plans?
There are a few things I’m very excited for, but I don’t want to speak on them until they exist like they’re tangible. Also, I don’t want to publicize something and then me lose out on the opportunity. So for now, I gotta keep it on the low.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.maalikevans.com