Today we’d like to introduce you to Evan Youngblood-Williams.
Evan, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I started my creative journey when I was in the last months of my freshman year at Stratford High School. During that time, I just wanted to do acting and nothing more. I was 16 years old around this time. I decided to enroll in my first theater class since 6th grade to explore my sudden interest in acting. When I scrolled on Facebook one day, I saw this ad for a talent showcase for actors. I decided to sign up. The day that I went, I remember walking across the stage in a mock fashion show and performing a cold read for an energy drink commercial. It was then that I knew I had a talent for acting.
In the 11th Grade, I found my passion for videography and filmmaking. It was sparked when I was in broadcast journalism class. The moment I used a canon camcorder to record a mock interview and cut the video I’m Final Cut Pro x, I was hooked ever since.
Alongside shooting video for the school news, I was shooting random photos on my iPhone 5 and using a boatload of free photo editing apps to make creative edits to my photos. Since I didn’t have access to photoshop and Lightroom at the time, I had to make do with what I had. Those were some good times, indeed.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It was not smooth. The biggest obstacle I had to deal with is my family not supporting my creative pursuits, and they didn’t have any connections in the industry.
When I was at the talent search that I mentioned earlier, we waited for about thirty minutes to talk to one of the directors at the event, and she talked to us about flying out to Los Angeles to work with her and learn the ins and outs of show-business and how to make it as an actor. I eagerly smiled because I have this burning desire to be an actor and be successful at it. As the conversation continued, she mentioned how much it would cost, which was around $1,000, and I knew at that moment that my mom wasn’t going to help me and my smile was fading away fast. The director mentioned was for her to pay the cost by starting a fundraiser and other plans, but my mom still wouldn’t help me. I knew at that moment that if I wanted to be an actor and pursue a career in the arts, I was going to have to do it myself. The independent spirit was born.
Flash forward to the later months of 2016, I wanted to own my own camera; the camera I wanted was the Nikon D3400. I asked my mom to get it for me for Christmas, but to no surprise, I didn’t get it. I was a bit disappointed, but I didn’t lose hope and I kept it pushing.
The film project that really tested my patience, my sanity and my resolve was “The Dangerous Woman.” I worked on that film for a year and six months. I was struggling to get that film off the ground because of casting. The role I had trouble casting for was the Katelyn character. Week after week, I would nail an actress for the role just for her to cancel on me for the last second. The project, in general, frustrated me to the point of losing motivation of wanting to continue my career as an actor and filmmaker.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about 8Mill Productions – what should we know?
In my business, I shoot many different genres of film, commercial videos, music videos, portraits, and headshots. I specialize in cinematography and directing.
I am most proud of myself for being true to myself and only taking on projects that resonate with my soul. What sets me apart is that I incorporate spiritual undertones in every project that I do along with my no-nonsense, straight-up personality, and the fact that I don’t sugarcoat anything for anyone.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
I want to give credit first and foremost to my significant other, Virginia Fransisco, for helping me develop my self-confidence, self-image, my work ethic, my resolve, and find creative waves to do business with others as well as staying true to myself despite what others think of me.
She was the catalyst for me wanting to turn my life around and to start charging for my services. She’s also my life coach. She’s helped me heal core issues from childhood.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://spark.adobe.com/page/KQbqckBhJARje/
- Phone: 832-552-3049
- Email: 8millproductions@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/8millproductions?igshid=bwtjtlmzysfi
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/evan.williams.33483903
- Other: https://www.youtube.com/user/emannfly77
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