We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Amy Duzinski Janes a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Amy, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?
During my sophomore year of college, everything seemed to fall apart. I was failing out of my third major, I got a call from my parents telling me they had lost everything and could no longer support my education, and I was trapped in an abusive relationship. For the first time in my life, I truly hit rock bottom.
I’ve always been a vivid dreamer, but one night I had a dream that felt more real than anything before. I was at my own wake, watching my mother cry. Through tears, she asked, “What am I supposed to do now that you’re gone?” I told her I would make a movie—and anytime she felt sad or alone, she could put it in the VCR and I would still be there.
I had never considered film before, but the next morning, I woke up and declared myself a film major. I’ve never looked back.
That dream lit a spark that launched me toward my purpose, creating safe places for people to tell their truths. And ever since, through every twist and turn, I’ve followed that feeling of “flow”—and watched as my life began to shape itself around it.
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?
Storytelling has been the throughline of my career—from my early days as a film student pulled into the film industry by a life-changing dream, to producing award-winning independent films, to now stepping into my dream job as the Executive Director of the deadCenter Film Festival.
I’ve spent the last three decades working across the creative landscape—developing, producing, and championing stories that matter. My work has taken me from Hollywood development rooms to classrooms in rural Oklahoma, and from launching national educational programs to co-founding Oklahoma’s first Hollywood-grade film production studio, Filmmakers Ranch. Each chapter has been rooted in a passion for creative collaboration and in elevating diverse, authentic voices in film.
What excites me most about leading deadCenter is the opportunity to expand its already incredible legacy. Now celebrating its 25th year, deadCenter has become a beloved cultural anchor in Oklahoma and a respected platform for filmmakers from around the world. I see this next chapter as a chance to deepen our impact—through expanded programming, strategic partnerships, and new initiatives that celebrate innovation in storytelling and connect our community in bold, joyful ways.
This year marks a fresh chapter not just for me. It’s an incredibly exciting time to be at the helm, and I’m honored to help shape what comes next for Oklahoma’s film community—and for the stories still waiting to be told.
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?
Looking back on my journey, the most impactful guiding forces weren’t just skills—they were three foundational values shared with me early in my career by my mentor, Barbara Boyle, one of the first substantial female producers in Hollywood. She told me that to succeed in the film industry, you need passion, patience, and persistence. At the time, those words felt simple. But over the years, they’ve proven to be profoundly true—like a compass I return to, again and again.
Passion is the fuel. This is a business that will test you, creatively and emotionally. Passion is what keeps you in the game when things are uncertain, when funding falls through, or when the story you’ve poured your soul into faces rejection. It’s also what brings people together—passion is contagious. If you believe in something fully, others will want to get on board.
Patience is the long game. Whether you’re trying to break into the industry or getting a project greenlit, things rarely move on your timeline. I’ve learned that forcing the process doesn’t serve the work. Instead, trusting the timing and using the quiet moments to hone your craft, deepen relationships, or nurture new ideas often leads to better, more sustainable outcomes.
Persistence is the muscle. You will hear “no” far more than “yes.” What matters is your willingness to keep going. Persistence is about showing up—even when it’s hard—and continuing to do the work, learn from setbacks, and evolve. For me, it’s also about finding new doors when the old ones won’t open.
My advice for those just beginning their journey is this: keep checking in with yourself. If your passion feels dim, your patience is gone, or your persistence is wavering, it’s worth asking whether the path you’re on is still the right one—or whether you need to redirect that energy into a new direction. These three words—passion, patience, persistence—aren’t just tools for success. They’re also a way to stay grounded and aligned with your purpose.
And when you find the place where all three are alive in you? That’s where the real magic begins.
What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?
Life wasn’t always easy growing up, but one thing remained constant—my parents always told me, “You can do anything you set your mind to.” They said it so often, with such conviction, that eventually I believed them—no matter what life was throwing my way.
As a parent myself now, with two successful children of my own, I’ve passed that same mindset on to them. It’s more than a phrase—it’s a foundation.
One story that still makes me smile is from my freshman year of college. My parents were gently encouraging me to rush a sorority, but I knew in my heart that wasn’t the right path for me. So I told them I couldn’t rush that weekend—I had synchronized swimming tryouts. The truth? I had never done synchronized swimming a day in my life. I had some experience diving and swimming laps, but this was something entirely new.
They were confused at first, maybe even a little skeptical, but ultimately said, “That sounds just like you.” I never really expected to make the team—but not only did I make it, I became a core member. One year, I even placed fourth in the nation.
That experience, like so many in my life, was proof that sometimes, believing you *can* is the biggest hurdle. The rest is just showing up and doing the work.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://poeticjusticedoc.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amydjanes
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ajanes
- Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/in/amyduzinskijanes/
Image Credits
Doug Schwartz – Amy Headshot
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