We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Demetrea Dewald. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Demetrea below.
Demetrea, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
I can’t remember a time when I didn’t know what my purpose was. I grew up in a creative household, where following your dreams was highly encouraged. Before I can remember my purpose was clear to me, I wanted to tell stories and never stop using my imagination. This drive and my passion for cinema led me to my career as an independent filmmaker. Though my purpose has always been clear and I’ve led an extremely tunnel-visioned path, the journey has not been easy without roadblocks. The film industry is truly a boys club. To this day I still work to balance maintaining my vision as a strong woman, while playing hardball with my male colleagues. In the end, I always find a way to tell the story I set out to tell.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
In 2007 I started a film production company with my mother Rebekah Dewald, a visual artist and photographer. I was young yet driven, having just finished at The School of Visual Arts in NYC and Rebekah was transitioning from working in Broadway theater to film production. We knew we wanted to create a company that held our truest value at heart, that no matter the circumstance art has the ability to create change and the power to connect the world. Our first film, the feature documentary LET THE RECORD SHOW focused on the artist lead activism during the AIDS crisis that changed the political and social landscape. LET THE RECORD SHOW went on to premiere at the renowned Santa Fe Film Festival winning the audience select award for best documentary. It showed us we were on the right path. From there, we have transitioned from being a NYC-based production company to Los Angeles, where R&D Dewald Productions works as a full-service production company serving underrepresented communities. We offer development services, production services and post-production services. Our roster of clients includes renowned musicians, photographers, filmmakers both narrative and documentary as well as global brands and corporations. With every project, we continue to spread our mission of the ability of art to change the world.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
1. Take every opportunity the universe offers you. I’m a firm believer that our greatest mistakes often come from pushing against the opportunities that are presented to us. I had to learn this the hard way. As a film student I was head strong and determined that my path was solely writing and directing. Yet I kept getting offer after offer for extraordinary editing internships… Many of which I am sad to say I turned down. It took me years to realize that one of my greatest callings is editing, that creatively it feeds my story-telling desires immensely. Though I have a successful editing career, I can’t help but wonder what would have been if I had been less headstrong and listened to the message the universe was giving.
2. Fake it until you make it. It may sound silly, but in my experience, it’s a key to success. It’s often easy, especially in the film industry, to feel like you are floating around without all the answers and knowledge you need and yet somehow everybody else seems to know what they’re doing. Being a grownup is hard, and I don’t think anyone truly knows what they are doing. But if you push forward and fake it till you make it, the answers will start to unfold.
3. Confidence is key, and imposter syndrome is real. Balancing these two factors is key in success. I work in a highly technical field yet I didn’t grow up with computers or a house full of technology. This led me to feel like an imposter for years in my field. How could I compete with people who had been editing films on their computer since they were ten, who could speak the lingo so effortlessly. It never felt effortless to me. Finally I realized that all of our skills are individualized, I thrive in areas that others may find challenging, story structure, creating emotionally engaging content and client relationships. Once I found my voice and confidence the rest fell into place. I know what I’m great at and I also know areas that I have to always be growing in. I no longer feel like an imposter, I know that I am exactly the right person for every job I take on.
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
We are always looking for new people and businesses to collaborate with. Simply put, we want to help you tell your story. Whether you have a film idea that you need help developing, a promo video you need created to tell your brand’s story, a music video to bring the vision of your song to life, an important true story you know the world needs to hear about, whatever the story we can bring it to life. R&D Dewald Productions can help you at any stage of the process. As Development Producers we can help you form and create your vision. As Directors we can bring your vision to life and as a post-production house we can take any project to the finish line. Let’s tell your story!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.DewaldFilm.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theladiesdewald/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theladiesdewald/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/demetreadewald/
Image Credits
Final Image still from the film Full Tilt Boogie
