Today we’d like to introduce you to Anthony Devon.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My story goes back to when I would watch movies and tv with my momma. We’d watch everything from Sex in the City to Rush Hour. I had to be 9 or 10 when I was given my first camcorder. It was one of those $20 joints but you couldn’t tell me anything, so I’d annoy my siblings with my home videos. From here, my passion continued to grow and brought me to DCTV, a local programming TV station in D.C… Shoutout D.C. too. I appreciate my DCTV family (Mr. Bob Thomas, Mr. Mark, Ms. Meiko, Maurice and Jayonte) because they brought in a young 13 years old boy and taught the fundamentals. Forever thankful.
In high school, I would submit a short film instead of a paper because writing was my worst subject and figured a film was a better way to express my thoughts. I remember wrapping my little brothers in bedsheets and telling them to recite dialogue from Allegory of the Cave… and we used the same $20 camcorder.
Some things don’t change.
In film, you can’t do it alone. You need a TEAM. In college, I majored in film and wrote shorts I thought were the next Reservoir Dogs…they weren’t but it’s cool…we here now. What I did get out of making those shorts was a strong brotherhood with my guy Ani Akpan, who’s produced everything I’ve made til this day. It’s necessary for any writer/creative to have a team (don’t gotta be a lot of people) that really believe in your vision AND contributes to seeing it through with you.
After a dozen shorts, we gained some traction after VESSEL, my last TV Pilot, received recognition. It was accepted into ~15 film festivals, won 3 and received a TV Distribution deal with P. Diddy’s REVOLT TV. Shoutout Diddy and his team because this gave me FUEL… telling me that my ideas weren’t crazy. It’s wild because I received that deal before I got a mattress for my new spot in LA. Sh*t be crazy mane.
Now, I’m here in Los Angeles feeling like the most underrated and I love it. The team and I just dropped a recent trailer, BLUE WAVES, which is my best work to date. It is the second installation of THE BLUE COLLECTION, my short series. Recently dropped BLUEPRINT, the first installation of the series so you can check both out on my Instagram. I’m meeting great energies, getting interviews with Voyage LA, and blessed to expand my team & crank out more projects.
Life is good but we just getting started.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Hell Nah – I took an L two days ago because I missed a crucial deadline for a film festival… I’m still getting used to this PST time difference… From personal life stuff to small technicalities on set, I’ve seen it all. I’m not gonna go into specifics because I don’t know y’all like that but we are all human and go thru it.
I’ve missed a lot of my siblings and family’s birthdays because of my commitment. I’ve had a main actor tell me they can’t do the film hours before shooting. I drove cross country to move to LA. I spent my savings on VESSEL because I felt like it was the one. Battling with myself and so many more.
But you can’t let it stop you.
The way I see it is “if my arm or leg not cut off, I’m good to go.”
Get up and keep going.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on or most proud of?
I am a creative. I create the world of my story in my head and transfer that onto a screen.
I am a screenwriter that writes tv pilots/series and feature-length films. Currently, I’ve directed every script I’ve written but I’m open to collaboration as long as you not a nut.
I’m known for always having a bag of chips in my hand while on set.
I’m most proud of three things:
– BLUE WAVES – a new project that’s coming very soon – y’all not ready for that one
– Peaches n Tattoos – a new feature I recently finished.
– My team and family for believing in my work – I love and appreciate y’all for real
What sets me apart is why I’m making films: To show young me and other young black kids that it is possible for you to bring your ideas to fruition.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
I define success in many ways:
– Getting paid to do what you love.
– Learn about your inner self (mentally, spiritually) and sign a contract that you will never break with yourself. Don’t fold.
– Take care of your family and friends that took care of you
– Chasing your dream and making it a goal. Then, completing that goal
I’m a long way from success.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chef.ant_/
