Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Steven Knoworries. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Steven, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.
Hey there, I’m just a regular kid from Kansas so finding my purpose wasn’t a grand quest or anything, it sort of just happened. The realization of my innate gift for storytelling emerged during the quiet moments before sleep. I saw it as a way to not just help myself, but to become a sort of connector—using my vision to assist others in creating their own dreams and visions. So, my purpose found me in overcoming my own fears, sketching mental pictures, crafting storylines, and birthing characters that let me express myself fully. Funny enough, I’d be lying in bed, struggling to sleep, and the only remedy was thinking up movies in my head. Dreaming before I hit the hay showed me how mighty it is to have ideas fueled by my feelings, emotions, and the environment around me.
This lightbulb moment pushed me down a path where I knew I had to take these intricate bedtime movies and bring them to life. Fast forward, and here I am at a point where my purpose has done a full circle. I get to use my filmmaking skills, soaked in everything I’ve learned visually, to help folks who need it. It’s not something I hoard but rather something I pass on to help others articulate their own visions. It’s like finding my own way was the missing puzzle piece, and once I got that, I realized I could be the bridge for others to discover and chase their own purpose.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I’m just a filmmaker, a storyteller, and that’s why I decided to start a production company and advertising agency called ShowBlackss. So, what’s behind the name? In the filmmaking world, they call the apparell the crew behind the scenes wears “show blacks” because dark clothes easily blend into the background, letting the on-stage talent shine. But you know what? Those talented folks behind the cameras, the ones working their magic in various departments, don’t often get the spotlight. That’s where we come in at ShowBlackss – we’re all about showcasing these creatives, the unsung heroes like black female directors, art directors, producers, cinematographers, and many more. These are the people who make the real magic happen, but their names often end up just as lines on a credit list.
But ShowBlackss isn’t just about the industry lingo; it’s also about representing black people and businesses. We believe that we can be extraordinary in business and creativity. Our goal is to connect these underappreciated creatives with businesses and brands that need visual advocacy to tell their stories. We want to break down the barriers that have held back resources from the black community.
Rather than waiting for Hollywood or major companies to recognize us, we’re taking matters into our own hands. We fund our own passion projects, we invest in black businesses, we compensate creatives who work with us who often are excluded from major production sets. Why? Because we’re our own superheroes saving ourselves and our community. ShowBlackss isn’t a massive agency working with Fortune 500 companies; it’s about making the most of what others might think isn’t enough and turning it into something abundant.
Our primary goal is to create unique commercial campaigns, music videos, and films that reflect a community that’s been told they won’t make it. We don’t care about fame or riches; we care about showing up in ways that matter to us and the people we serve.
If you’re curious, head over to showblackss.com, join our newsletter, watch our work and be a part of our movement. It’s something that, I believe, can change the filmmaking landscape, thanks to the opportunities filmmakers have now that we didn’t have before. With technology and affordable access to quality equipment, we, as emerging artists, and activitist for our communities can create phenomenal work just like anyone else. And that’s exactly what we’re doing.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
For me the most crucial thing that’s made a real impact on my journey so far is taking risks. It’s a big deal for creatives not to be afraid of taking risks because a lot of the good stuff happens when you step out of your comfort zone. Early on, I figured that if I didn’t speak up, take chances, and let myself mess up here and there, reaching those big dreams would be way tougher. It’s like they say, a smooth sea never made a skilled sailor.
Another key thing is connecting and networking. Growing up in a small town, you knew everyone. But when I hit the big city of Denver, there were three times as many folks. That’s when I realized my biggest advantage was never being scared to meet new people. It’s a game-changer because you never know who’s going to be your biggest cheerleader or lend a hand. A lot of my films and projects revolve around teamwork, and it’s all about folks coming together to reach a shared goal.
Then there’s patience. It’s like the best daily vitamin you can take. Great things need time to brew because, well, they’re great. I’m a bit impulsive when it comes to chasing my dreams, wanting everything now. But I’ve learned that taking the time to let things grow naturally is what makes your work stick around. Patience means longevity, leaving a mark even after you’re gone. It’s not about rushing to complete stuff; it’s about doing it right, with passion.
So, if you’re looking to better yourself, especially if you’ve got dreams and visions, meet life with patience. The longer you take on something, the more life it gets, the more people you connect with, and the longer you live through your work. It’s all about believing in yourself, betting on yourself, and taking those risks that might seem impossible but really, nothing’s impossible.
Who is your ideal client or what sort of characteristics would make someone an ideal client for you?
For me, the perfect client is someone with a story to tell, looking to spin it into a cinematic masterpiece. It doesn’t matter if it’s a story about a small business, or one about a local artist both are on their creative journey’s seeking visual representation and thoughtful adovacy. I want to zero in on these folks because they often struggle to find film directors like me, hailing from their communities, who get where they’re coming from and can really capture their essence. Take, for instance, the UJAMAA lighting company, the True Laundry detergent company, or the PlayPits brand. Then there are the local musicians, actors, production crews and artists dreaming big but not sure how to match the quality of the big players in the industry or Hollywood.
I see myself as the go-to person who can bring the skills, the quality, and that top-notch production level for those who never thought it was possible or felt it was too pricey to get quality work that actually makes a difference. My ideal clients are usually folks who look like me, maybe feeling a bit underserved, overlooked, and rarely given a shot to showcase their best. I connect with these brands and artists on a deeper level because it’s a two-way street – we’re both trying to shout to the world that we’ve got something incredible to share. And, honestly, it’s only by teaming up that we can make that happen.
Contact Info:
- Website: showblackss.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/showblackss/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/showblackss
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/showblackss/
- Other: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steven-oduniyi-a4165aa9/ https://www.instagram.com/soknoworries
Image Credits
@bae_doe @dannywonders @steele_maddie
