Today we’d like to introduce you to Megan Mayes.
Hi Megan, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan and moved to New York City in 2008, graduating from NYU with a bachelor’s degree and high honors in Media, Communication and Culture.
In 2011, at the age of 21, I took a year off from school to start a production company, Plastic Tree Pictures, alongside my creative partner and brother, Joshua Mayes. Together we produced an award-winning feature film that year, “Rooftops.” This was the best education I’ve ever received! We have also made other films together, such as an award-winning short film, “People Like You, and are currently in development on/pitching two feature films, which we will co-direct.
Independently, I have produced, directed or developed many other films, including “Man in Hoodie,” “The Creeper’s Curse,” “Spicy Tuna,” “The Zoo,” “Drifting,” “Sunday Brunch,” “Tofu,” “1-800-Hot-Nite,” “When it Stops,” and “End of Violence.” I have also served as assistant director and writing collaborator on a number of projects.
I have traveled extensively through Europe and Asia and lived in China, India and Vietnam for several years.
I was the Director of Marketing and Communications at the New York City Rescue Mission from 2013-2015, where I oversaw the process of rebranding and developed cause-marketing relationships with 20+ brands and companies. I also directed the promotion and planning of large media-covered events along with a viral video that obtained over 3 million views.
My number one passion is filmmaking, as a producer/director of narrative film.
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?
Not in the least! It still can be very tricky – I have found a little more balance and support in producing some commercial work in between my filmmaking as a way to supplement my income so that I can take risks on indie projects, and also to give my spirit and mind a little break by switching over into different gears periodically.
One of the challenging things for me in the path I have chosen is finding a way to produce the indie films I love without taking a position at a studio or climbing that ladder. For years I supported myself by juggling both producing and bartending. I would bartend very late at packed places around NYC, sleep a few hours and then wake up to work on film productions. This was a rough road, throwing my schedule off with the hours.
I finally found a balance with the added commercial work, which is a business I am still growing. Fortunately, I have found enough stability to do what I love while maintaining my mental and physical health! However, this doesn’t make me immune to strikes and some of the current challenges we are facing in the industry!
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a film producer, director and developer as well as a freelance commercial producer. I find that my well-rounded career keeps me quick on my toes, and all of the various industries feed into each other. For my commercial work, I have produced everything from promos for studio films, pharmaceutical commercials and internal pieces, pieces for socials and more. I pride myself on building an excellent, curated and positive crew for every piece I produce.
Any big plans?
One of the great joys of my career has been developing, producing and directing alongside my brother Josh. We started making films together, and I intend to finish making films with him still by my side. We have several films that we’ve written and have on the back burner – ready for production. Furthermore, I am attached to a few indie films that I am hopeful one or two locks once the strikes are over that I can be on the producing team.
In the meantime, I am building my commercial work and hoping to develop more relationships with ongoing clients.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.plastictreepictures.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/megancmayes/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/megan.c.mayes
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/megan-c-mayes-08b88a6b/
- Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5649954/
