Today we’d like to introduce you to Dante Bailey.
Hi Dante, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Well as of today, I am a freelance film Director, Writer, & Photographer. In terms of the path I’ve taken towards this journey as a creative, I would say it has been both traditional & non-traditional.
I did attend college & recently got my Masters in Film & TV Production from USC, which I’m proud to say is the top film school in the industry. With that said, it was a long journey getting there. I originally started learning the craft of filmmaking back in DC with a company called Cool Kids Forever Films. I found them on Myspace back in like 2008. I was only 17 at the time and the youngest intern by far. Everyone else was like 25+. They would make music videos for all of the most popular music artists in the DMV at that time. I was hungry to learn so since I was mostly a PA and I wouldn’t get all but so many opportunities to touch a camera, I mostly learned everything I know about filmmaking and photography from watching Youtube videos and then I would apply the knowledge I picked up to real-time productions every time I got a chance to be hands-on.
While doing all of this, I attended an HBCU called Bowie State University back in Maryland for a few years, but I had a little too much experience by then & the program wasn’t offering enough towards my educational needs so eventually, I transferred to The New School in NYC. All in all, my undergrad experience offered me much more life experience about survival while living on my own than education.
For the most part, I’ve always loved shooting & movies always felt like an escape but I feel like It wasn’t until 2019 after I moved to LA for school that I really started to get a real grasp on what true storytelling was as both a writer and a director. Maybe in part due to the imposter syndrome that often stands in the way of us finding our voice, but I’ve always been a slow learner, yet I’m efficient as hell once I’ve got it.
Being from DC/ PG County, MD people always say it’s like living in a city full of crabs in a barrel. It’s like when one person gets too far ahead, there’s always someone looking to pull them back down. I’ve always hated that narrative. After living in places like New York, & LA, you realize just how community-oriented we really are back home & I’ve felt it’s only proper to bring that spirit of community with me to LA. I understand that all the mistakes I’ve made over 10+ years in the industry were necessary for my growth & there’s someone else just starting their journey right now. With that said, I always offer the knowledge and resources I’ve gained along the way not only to my folks back home but to other folks I meet along the way out here, and as a result, we have built a really solid community of creatives who love and support each other like family. With the support of the community we’ve built out here, I offer headshots to actors, professionals, & creatives alike at low affordable costs with the understanding that we all need to start somewhere and self-representation is important. Additionally, outside of my freelance work as a Director & Writer, I offer a weekly script development workshop at my home studio called “Tune-Up Tuesday”. A group of creatives all come together each week and read scripts that we are working on aloud and offer introspective, creative feedback to the writers in terms of what we feel might help advance their scripts.
Like I said though, it’s much more than a creative community. At this point, it’s like a family. Some of us go hiking together on weekends to stay active. We often offer up creative workshops of other kinds. We have field trips. But more importantly, everyone loves and respects each other regardless of their spiritual beliefs or sexual preferences you know. Our group can come to each other if they just need a hug or to talk about real-life issues, and that’s priceless in a city like LA.
There’s no room for gatekeeping anymore. Everybody can eat in this industry, and we’re much stronger together than we are apart.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
I’ve never been one for sob stories. I believe there’s power in the tongue & it doesn’t always serve us best to live in past experiences. With that said though, the facts are that Langston Hughes had it right when he said, “Life for me ain’t been no crystal stair”.
There have been far too many obstacles to name along the way, but to paint a brief picture of my journey, one day after arriving in LA, my ex-girlfriend found out that she was pregnant, and in that same month, while riding my bicycle to school I got hit by a car and almost died. (The irony is actually kind of funny in hindsight). By the grace of God, when I got hit, used my arms to break the fall and only broke both of my arms and my hand, and got a few stitches in my head, however, had my reflexes not been on point that morning, I easily would have broke my neck and we wouldn’t be having this interview today.
Needless to say, I’m grateful. I’ll spare the struggles of being an aspiring creative in LA, or hustling doing odd jobs to pay the rent month to month considering we’ve all been there, done that, and will keep doing that until it’s “our time”. I think it’s more important to redirect my energy towards gratitude you know. I am grateful to be alive, and I’m grateful to be here specifically. To live and work in Los Angeles where movies are made is a blessing. I’m happy to be in the mix. We’ll be doing this until we’re in our 60’s and 70’s God willing, just like the greats who came before us.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Im a multifaceted visual creative. I am primarily a Director, Writer, & Producer in film. I am also a photographer who specializes in headshots, however, I dabble in all sorts of genres of photography.
I have a passion for people. I’ve always loved the art of communication. How can I pull the most authentic performance from my actors or tell the most honest story when writing. When Producing, I’m constantly thinking about how I can make my crew feel most involved and affirm their creative spirit while solving issues before they become problems. How can I make other people’s jobs easier.
Even in photography, as a headshot photographer, most of my references come by word of mouth based on the level of comfort and support I offer to clients who are oftentimes having professional photos taken for the first time. It’s an extremely vulnerable process.
I think what sets me apart from others in all facets of my craft is that I respect people’s humanity first, and they feel safe & comfortable being vulnerable with me. It might sound small, but you would be surprised how much better your business experiences become when people are willing to be authentic with you. Especially in a creative industry that thrives on “clout” which often comes from being exactly the opposite of authentic.
If anything, I am most proud of my ability to be there and provide support for others in my tribe. As much as I enjoy my own wins, I love seeing my people win just as much because I really believe in their passion. I recognize it like I recognize my own.
The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you and any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
Man, the pandemic ripped a fat one through all of society. Businesses were closing everywhere. Nothing felt certain, At one point, I remember being afraid to even really go outside for some air. If I learned anything during the pandemic, I think it was to appreciate the value of time and to rest.
For me, I was required to really revisit my relationship with faith. There were so many concerns and nothing but time to ruminate over them. There was so much uncertainty about where my next check would be coming from, will i be homeless if I can pay my bills, or whether or not they would make a vaccine, or even whether or not it would be safe. Ruminating over the possibilities, especially while alone far away from your family could easily become daunting & anxiety-inducing. Following the pandemic, was the first time I realized I suffered from anxiety and I decided to enroll in therapy which changed my entire perspective on life and the self-importance I attributed towards ego.
In hindsight, especially for black people, the pandemic was one of the only times in history, that I think we collectively experienced a moment a rest. There was no escaping it. All we could do was let go, make an active decision about what we wanted to put our time and energy towards, and rest…
I know so many people who started that business they had put off for so long, or fixed family issues, or if you were like me, you wrote that script you put off for so long & caught up on all those shows you had been meaning to watch. I think that was beautiful. God works in mysterious ways.
Pricing:
- Headshot Photography Basic Package – $450 per session | 1.5 hrs (enough time for two looks) | 5 Edits including basic retouching | 7-Day Turnover (Custom packages available)
- 1-1-1 Sale | $100 | 1 hour | 1 Edit (During the last week of every month)
- Directing / Producing (Rates are Negotiable)
- Cinematography Day Rate $750 / Half Day Rate $400 (includes camera kit)
- Tune-Up Tuesday Workshops (Free – requires a recommendation from current participant)
Contact Info:
- Website: www.DbaileyPhotography.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/db_headshots/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dantejbailey/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/DantejBailey
- Youtube: https://vimeo.com/dantejbailey
- Other: www.Dbaileymedia.com
