Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Drusilla Talley-Williams. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Drusilla, 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?
Drusilla Talley-Williams, I was born in rural small-town, Easley SC as the ninth child of 10. I loved reading and writing because it allowed her see visions of places, people, and things and fantasize about it. Coming from a very poor family more concerned about the next meal and having a decent pair of shoes, she had never been taken to see a movie at the theater. It was after going on a school field trip to see “Gone With the Wind”‘ that I fell in love with the big screen. I was considered rather intelligent and well-rounded, but the artistic creator part of me was never cultivated in the earlier years. But the love of movies never died. So, in my early 20’s the desire to work in the film industry was so strong that I made a decision to move to L.A. without so much as one class in acting, screen writing, or anything. My best friend and I planned to drive together across the country with all our belongings in tow. However, 2 weeks before it was time to leave, she changed her mind. It wasn’t her dream, it was mine. But because the bravest thing I had ever done before was driving 2 hours to Atlanta, going it alone was wayyy too much. My dream was deferred. After finishing college, getting married and raising children, I embarked upon a transformative journey that unfolded amidst the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. I became relentless in my pursuit to find my missing truths and raw substance. One day I was talking with a friend about how stuck I felt about my life which led to someone randomly asking me if I had ever considered being a film maker. By this time, I had in fact taken a few classes here or there and just like that I knew that was a message from source telling me that my 30 year lost in the wilderness was over. I transitioned into filmmaking that year as a bold move to be the visionary and creative talent I had always desired. But it most importantly tests my faith which led to a remarkable ability to find peace and faith during personal trials, along with her dedication to mindfulness and compassion, making her a unique presence in the entertainment industry. I am dedicated to telling based-on-true-event stories as a contribution to unsung heros in our society.
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?
Drusilla Talley-Williams, is a Director/ Creator but most importantly tested her faith which led to a remarkable ability to find peace and faith during personal trials, along with her dedication to mindfulness and compassion, making her a unique presence in the entertainment industry. She is dedicated to telling based-on-true-event stories about unsung heros in our community. My first project was a documentary about police brutality called “The Unlearning of Us: The Blue-gieman and US. My 2nd piece of work is a feature film “Loyalty Over Everything” about a lesbian hip-hop music promoter who dies suddenly at the age of 31. It i in final post-production with a Premiere scheduled for May 23, 2024
https://www.theunlearningofme.com/
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?
I have found that the 3 most important qualities are humility, resilience, and mindfulness. Humility is the quality that allows me to accept constructive criticism and to not take myself too seriously. It minimizes becoming a perfectionist or thinking that I have to have all the answers all the time. Knowing that will always be people better off and worse off than you in every aspect of your being is a sure way of operating with humility. A person will also need resilience for sure. Being able to keep pressing forward when things seem unfair, bleak, or even impossible just means get up and try it again. Or try it a different way. Whatever you do, don’t quit trying! And lastly but most importantly is being mindful and keeping your emotional intelligence in check. Being mindful of what negative stories you might be telling yourself, or what is triggering your reaction to something will help you to operate from a more grounded and authentic place. And one more that might actually trump all three is forgiveness. Forgive everything all day, every day! Carry nothing with you that weighs you down.
Is there a particular challenge you are currently facing?
My greatest obstacle right now is getting financing for my projects. I’ve looked into many different sources from investors, loans, fund raising but I’m finishing my second film and both have been self-funded and I’m still moving forward.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.theunlearningofme.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drusilla.talley
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drusillatalley/
