Meet Dorado Quick

We recently connected with Dorado Quick and have shared our conversation below.

Dorado, so good to have you with us today. We’ve got so much planned, so let’s jump right into it. We live in such a diverse world, and in many ways the world is getting better and more understanding but it’s far from perfect. There are so many times where folks find themselves in rooms or situations where they are the only ones that look like them – that might mean being the only woman of color in the room or the only person who grew up in a certain environment etc. Can you talk to us about how you’ve managed to thrive even in situations where you were the only one in the room?

You gotta strive to find a balance of gratitude, humility, grace, and confidence while avoiding the constant temptation to shrink yourself. You gotta have gratitude for being in the room, for the people who put you in the room, and for the fact that others who look like you wish they were in your position. You have to have a bit of humility because, while you are in the room, more than likely, there are others present who are more seasoned or experienced, and you must recognize opportunities to learn from them. But at the same time, you have to give some grace to others who don’t look like you, because they may be uncomfortable with you being there, feeling threatened, or your mere presence may bring up something in them internally, and there may be nothing you did to cause that or that you can do to change that. It doesn’t make it or them right, but you must be aware. It doesn’t mean letting unacceptable behavior fly, but it does mean you need to learn to take note, choose your battles, and choose the time in which you must address situations. Throughout all of this, you must somehow muster the courage and confidence to contribute your thoughts, skills, talents, and perspective, as it’s necessary for you, the client, project, business, and or company to succeed. While you shouldn’t have to juggle or balance all of these things, and one would hope to simply show up as they are and be treated the same way as everyone else, that’s just not the reality in most situations. And while you may feel or actually be unwanted or out of place, you have to find the courage not to shrink yourself. Being in these positions will grow you in more ways than you can imagine if you create and give yourself the space to grow. It’s not always fun, but it can make you more equipped and adept for the next position or level up, in which you will probably also be the only one who looks like you there as well, with more responsibility than you had prior. It sounds exhausting because it is, and this may not be what you want to hear. However, there’s a balance between being authentically yourself, overcoming adversity, navigating problematic workspaces, being listened to, and finding effective ways to stand on business that you must create to achieve and maintain success. Additionally, consider finding a good therapist to help you develop effective strategies for navigating and coping with these situations. It’s a marathon that requires you to be healthy, both mentally and physically. Lastly, use your vacation hours; it’s better to take a break and continue the race than to burn out and not reach the finish line.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

As a Writer/Director, I’m aiming to elevate and transition my skills as an award-winning Creative Director Writer into writing and directing TV & Film. As Creative Director for over a decade, I found ways to seamlessly blend culture into storytelling, which has cemented brands, athletes, and entertainers into pop culture like never before. Cannes Lions, Clios, One Show Pencils, Effie Awards, and more, my work has received international recognition. Some of my most notable projects include The Wendy’s Mixtape with Music Executive & Entrepreneur Archie Davis, Marvel’s Black Panther X Brisk Hidden Hustle short film starring Michael B. Jordan, Dear Destiny short film starring Nas, and These Hands, a short film starring Andrew Hawkins, presented by Procter & Gamble, and premiered by Oprah Winfrey. Additionally, with my former creative partners Ricardo Viramontes, Gerardo Ortiz, and Amy Glickman Brown, I created Throwing Bones, a competitive dominoes show hosted by Draymond Green for Lebron James and Maverick Carter’s Springhill Company, where I wrote Super Bowl films and several sports-related shows and content. After completing Warner Bros.’ Talent Discovery program, I began writing comics for DC Comics and Boom! Studios’ Power Rangers, and several creator-owned projects with actors and talent, including Woody McLain. I most recently completed Mara Brock Akil’s Writer’s Colony. As the creator and Showrunner of hit shows Girlfriends, Being Mary Jane, and now Netflix’s Forever, Mara has enhanced my learning and skill sets as a screenwriter. I’m now crafting new original pilots and samples, moving me closer to narrative TV and Films. As a storyteller and rising filmmaker, it’s a special privilege to have an audience let you into their minds, hearts, and souls. It’s an experience that comes with a unique responsibility, like no other, to create stories that humanize and depict characters in a way that proves they are not monoliths and that we can all be more than what others see on the surface. It’s a truly enjoyable, worthwhile experience to see your ideas come to life from paper to screen, and I hope to continue doing it on the silver screen as well.

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?

Being coachable, having a strong work ethic, and striving to be a good human being are the areas that have helped me the most and have had the most impact on my journey. Being coachable is one of the most essential qualities. Oftentimes, our taste exceeded our current skill set, and the only way to bridge that gap is to learn and be coachable. It’s hard to find guidance and help, let alone a mentor. But on the chance that you do find someone willing to answer a question or make time for coffee, you have to have a mindset and attitude that allows you to learn from someone more experienced than you. Nobody has time to spare, and nobody wants to make time for someone who is not grateful for the time and advice they are providing. So, make sure you apply it and can show that you have, even if it’s wrong. I’m often not the most talented or creative person in the room, but my ability and willingness to learn, receive, and process notes, combined with my work ethic, enable me to succeed where others may struggle or fail. Being willing to learn from others, combined with an obsessive work ethic that continually guides me to learn and master new skills, allows me to grow in ways that surpass my baseline level of talent. I’m always looking for books, workshops, boot camps, and seminars to fill the gaps in my game and make me a better storyteller. My work ethic is very similar to the lessons I learned playing basketball. I was never the best on the team, but I was always one of the first to arrive at the gym and last to leave. My grades were also pretty good, so I had a spot on the roster. And on the chance that my number got called, I was ready to go. Lastly, you always have to strive to be a good human being. No matter how you are treated, what you witness, and what you experience. It’s often not what happens to us that defines us, but our reaction and how we respond to it that does. It’s easier to treat people poorly, especially when they do it to you and others, but you have to find a way to rise above and remember why you started. And why you started probably had nothing to do with them, and will have nothing to do with them, after this phase that you are enduring. I aspire to be like the leaders who inspired me to be creative and who lead in a way that makes everyone feel like they are an equal part of our team, regardless of how they are treated. It’s not easy to continue when you’ve seen what I’ve seen, but I try my best to emulate the type of leaders who reach back and pull others up to the front with them, rather than those who leave people behind. All that to say, change the game, not let the game change you.

How can folks who want to work with you connect?

I’m looking to collaborate with folks who are passionate about storytelling, their respective craft, and those seeking to build lasting relationships. In the advertising and agency worlds, I’m always excited to consult on brands, products, and campaigns, as well as rolling up my sleeves and writing as Creative Director/ Writer. As a rising filmmaker working as a Director/Writer, I’m interested in meeting talented Cinematographers who live and breathe story, composition, and emotion. I’m also interested in expanding my network of Production Designers who love world-building and making sets feel authentic, real, and lived-in. For actors, I’m seeking those who are constantly refining their craft, are willing to take risks, and take pride in bringing characters to life. As a comic book creator, I’m seeking talented illustrators and colorists who possess a unique perspective, create expressive and well-drawn dynamic art, and have a strong sense of panel layouts. If you possess these skills and are a team player who wants to collaborate on creating stories with other like-minded creatives, definitely reach out to me on my site or Instagram.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://DoradoQuickWrites.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dorado.quick/?hl=en
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dorado-quick-b3677842/