We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Keith Davies a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Keith , we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?
The story of my resilience is deeply intertwined with the lives of my uncles, Sean and Shane, whose journeys have left an indelible mark on my character and outlook on life. Growing up, their stories served as both guiding lights and cautionary tales, illustrating the complexities of human existence and the power of resilience in the face of adversity.
Sean’s path, marked by his unwavering integrity and determination, has been a constant source of inspiration for me. Despite facing numerous challenges and ethical dilemmas, he never wavered in his commitment to doing what was right. His resilience in the face of adversity taught me that no matter how daunting the circumstances, maintaining one’s integrity is paramount. Sean’s story instilled in me the belief that success is not solely measured by material achievements, but by the strength of one’s character.
Conversely, Shane’s trajectory, while initially paved with brilliance and success as a billionaire in law, took a tragic turn due to mental health struggles and involvement in criminal activities. His story serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of success and the consequences of losing sight of one’s ethical compass. Despite his fall from grace, Shane’s journey taught me valuable lessons about the importance of mental health, the dangers of succumbing to external pressures, and the significance of making sound ethical choices.
The resilience exhibited by both Sean and Shane was not merely a product of their individual experiences, but also a testament to the environment in which they were raised. Coming from parents whose father was a pimp and mother was an addict, they both faced immense challenges from an early age. Yet, they persevered, each in their own way, demonstrating that one’s past does not define their future.
Their unwavering emotional backing, devoid of any monetary contributions, laid the groundwork for me to surmount obstacles and pursue higher education. Through their support, they provided me with the foundation to overcome challenges and strive for excellence.
In sharing their stories, I pay tribute to the profound impact they have had on my life and reaffirm my commitment to embodying the resilience and integrity they exemplified. They may have come from humble beginnings, but through their resilience and determination, they rose above their circumstances to become the men they were meant to be. And in doing so, they have inspired me to navigate life’s challenges with courage, resilience, and unwavering integrity.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
My passion lies in filmmaking, encompassing all its facets. While producing serves as my bread and butter, I aspire to venture into directing and screenwriting in the future. For now, producing is exhilarating because it empowers me to be a catalyst for change, enabling me to either reshape or challenge existing narratives.
At Preeminent Filmz, my production company, our focus is on pushing boundaries in storytelling to provoke a paradigm shift. We aim to amplify the voices of disadvantaged socioeconomic communities, using film as a platform for advocacy and empowerment. I’ve discovered a profound love for filmmaking because it provided me with an avenue to escape from reality during my upbringing in Illinois. Through filmmaking, I could construct worlds around me while shedding light on and dismantling barriers faced by communities, whether large or small.
I’m unwavering in my commitment to pursue my dreams, regardless of how unattainable they may seem to others. Currently, my primary focus is on expanding Preeminent Filmz’s slate of productions and creating compelling content that resonates with audiences while making my family proud.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Reflecting on my journey, three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge stand out as particularly impactful:
Resilience: The ability to bounce back from setbacks and persevere in the face of challenges has been crucial in my journey. My upbringing and the experiences of my uncles taught me the importance of resilience. My advice to those early in their journey is to cultivate resilience by embracing failures as learning opportunities, staying adaptable in the face of adversity, and maintaining a positive mindset even during tough times.
Creativity: Filmmaking is inherently a creative endeavor, and nurturing creativity has been essential for me. Whether it’s generating innovative ideas, problem-solving on set, or crafting compelling narratives, creativity fuels every aspect of the filmmaking process. To develop creativity, I encourage aspiring filmmakers to explore different forms of art, engage in brainstorming sessions with peers, and allow themselves the freedom to experiment and take risks.
Empathy: Understanding and empathizing with diverse perspectives is fundamental to effective storytelling. Empathy enables filmmakers to connect with their audience on a deeper level and convey authentic emotions and experiences on screen. I believe that empathy can be honed through active listening, immersing oneself in different cultures and communities, and seeking to understand the human experience in all its complexities.
For those embarking on their journey, my advice is to embrace these qualities and skills wholeheartedly. Cultivate resilience to weather the inevitable storms, nurture creativity to breathe life into your vision, and practice empathy to create stories that resonate with audiences worldwide. Stay true to your passion, be open to continuous learning and growth, and never lose sight of the impact your art can have on the world.
One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?
As a firm believer in the value of lateral growth, I am actively seeking collaboration opportunities with talented individuals in the filmmaking industry. I am particularly interested in connecting with screenwriters, directors, and fellow producers who share my passion for innovative storytelling.
If you’re a like-minded individual who is eager to challenge and transform traditional storytelling conventions in Hollywood, I invite you to reach out to me via my Instagram handle, @keith.xi. I am enthusiastic about the prospect of working with creative professionals who are committed to pushing boundaries and creating impactful cinema.
Let’s join forces to craft compelling narratives that resonate with audiences and contribute to the evolution of storytelling in the film industry.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keith.xi/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keith-davies-973212a5/
