Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jeffrey Lindsay Relf . We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Jeffrey Lindsay , appreciate you making time for us and sharing your wisdom with the community. So many of us go through similar pain points throughout our journeys and so hearing about how others overcame obstacles can be helpful. One of those struggles is keeping creativity alive despite all the stresses, challenges and problems we might be dealing with. How do you keep your creativity alive?
I love this question: For me, I’m 50% introvert & 50% extrovert…..I navigate keeping my creativity alive the same way, I pull from deeply inward while being inspired by the simplicity and complexities of the outward world. I don’t allow myself to get caught up in what’s being packaged and sold, and I don’t buy into system, “like what you should do because…”.
Yoga, meditation, conversation with my village and strangers constantly sparks my creativity. Exploring things that are dead to most, or are has-been, spark my creativity. Going to the left, when everyone goes to the right, sparks my creativity. But, more than anything, being ok with long periods of silence is the leading DNA in my creative aliveness.
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?
After graduating from Pratt Institute in NYC with a B.A in fashion and business, I embarked on a transformative journey in LA’s entertainment industry. Starting as a costume designer for feature films, I soon transitioned after three years into various roles, from fashion stylist to fashion show producer, ultimately finding my niche in the world of fashion PR. This was a very enriching time for me, representing international designers, opening up my showroom in DTLA to fashion stylist that impact culture such as: Karla Welch, Bryon Javar, Wayman and Micah, Erica Cloud, Law Roach, Nicola Formichetti and others. However, it was my foray into crafting short-form fashion video content that ignited my understanding of my purpose for storytelling.
I made the bold decision in March 2017 to close my PR Agency after a successful decade, to cultivate my purpose. Cut to: I enrolled in UCLA’s esteemed Film Ex-Program in Fall 2017, and delved headfirst into the realm of filmmaking. Since then, my film endeavors have flourished. I’ve penned four feature film screenplays and two TV pilots, alongside writing, directing, and producing award-winning short screenplays. I’ve garnered fellowships from both Film-Independent and the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, secured seats in writing programs such as “Almost Writes, Writer’s Room Workshop” as well as “CMG/Festival de Cannes”.
I serve as the Art Department Coordinator for the acclaimed IP adapted BET/Paramount Global series “The Family Business,” streaming on Netflix, and its riveting spin-off “The Family Business New Orleans.” This year, I will launch my macro production company “L/33,” dedicated to amplifying Black voices through compelling content, including feature films, film franchises, and limited series, with a focus on Black IP adaptation, to showcase diverse narratives that further shape the future of storytelling. Currently, I’m penning my fifth feature screenplay “Trunt”, and I’ve story-edited and produced the sexy rom-com short film “Kelly”, a 2024 LA Black Film Festival official selection, that stars model/activist Brianna Michelle, and Celebrity DJ Brian Henry.
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?
1. Follow your intuition. It doesn’t lie. 2. Wrangle you energy, reserve it, not everyone deserves it, it’s what makes you valuable, and powerful.
3. Just do the work, and never, ever, look at anything like it’s small…and don’t hangout with people who think anything is small. It’s all a starting point.
Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?
This question is a gem:
I happen to be flanked by dynamic Black women…thank God! Three in particular, actress Karen Pittman, singer Trenyce Cobbins, and showrunner ND Jones-Brown have all seen on my journey from fashion to filmmaker, and have supported me non-judgmentally from the beginning. They all have traversed in the entertainment space for years, and have been a wealth of invaluable information that has grounded me in one way on another on my journey, that’s still relatively new.
Lastly, writer, director, and producer, Drew Pearce was the first established industry person, outside of my village, that asked me to read one of my scripts, and gave me notes. He has been a great support of my journey over the last five years. I’m kind of amazed, because he is always super busy, so that means he has consciously made the time, and I appreciate that.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0718791/?ref_=nmbio_ov
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeffreylrelf/
- Other: https://www.dusablemuseum.org/exhibition-film-connected/
Image Credits
Photo by: Matt Jong
