We recently connected with Justin Makalii and have shared our conversation below.
Justin, thank you so much for taking the time to share your lessons learned with us and we’re sure your wisdom will help many. So, one question that comes up often and that we’re hoping you can shed some light on is keeping creativity alive over long stretches – how do you keep your creativity alive?
My creativity is an interesting case that even I am still trying to figure how it works. My art is mainly visual through photo and video, so I can look at something at wonder how it would look as a picture, maybe there’s something happening around me and I internally visualize how it would look as a scene out of a movie or show. I’m a writer as well so attaching a story to things no matter the significance is something that comes naturally. I’d like to think it’s a mix of ADHD and having a wild imagination but all of those paired together is really how my brain works 24/7. To tell you the truth, I don’t really know what keeps it alive; creativity is the machine inside me that doesn’t stop; it’s like a second heart and I don’t question how it works, I’m just grateful that it does.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
My name is Justin Makalii also known as Voidwalker and I am a Los Angeles based artist and owner of Voidwalker Creative. That is a name you’re going to hear a lot with me.
September 9th, 2022 is where I’d like to think where my story starts; it’s when I launched my brand Voidwalker Creative. I had always been creating before that, as a kid writing the most random stories to pass the time, or as a young adult learning about the filmmaking process and the visual medium of photography. Voidwalker is a name I coined for myself, it’s someone who finds the art within the absence; someone who can turn nothing into something. It was a title that became so synonymous with me because I never knew where I fit in this small world of creatives. I never felt I could call myself a real writer or photo/videographer because of this overthinking mentality I’d always have. But Voidwalker? Voidwalker is me; it’s doesn’t put me into a box or category, it is me in the flesh, brain, and bone and it’s something that no one can take away from me.
But it’s also something I don’t want to gatekeep, it’s something I want share with other like minded creatives like myself. Voidwalker Creative is my brand/production company and it is my world, my medium, without limits, and a place where I hope others can feel the same. Voidwalker does Artist Showcases, where we sit down with a creative and hear their story because I believe everyone deserves an opportunity to do so. It’s a uniquely paced project but rest assured there’s more coming.
“The Creative” has allowed me to meet and collaborate with so many talented people. Myself and writer and director Jackie Saucer have been working on a short form series together called “Layovers” for close to a year now and it’s a true testament of two creatives mind coming together to tell a story. I’ve met many talented people through “Layovers” which in turn has given me many opportunities to work with one some new projects that I’m equally grateful to be a part of.
As for what’s next? Voidwalker Creative is working on some other TBA projects with some amazing creators and on the in house end of things, Voidwalker is working on it’s first narrative debut coming in the next year. I can’t exactly tell you what’s next so you’ll just have to stay tuned.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
The three most important qualities for me is discipline, open mindedness, and risk taking.
Discipline is pretty straight forward in my opinion. The things you want in life are very obtainable, but it’s not going to be handed to you, you have to work at it with everything you have. It’s going to suck sometimes, it’s not going to be easy, but if you keep at it, you will have the life you want.
Open mindedness for me is an essential piece of the creative process. When it comes to crafting a story or a project, you should be open to the possibility of anything and everything. Nothing is perfect the first time around; if you’re open to changes whether they are big or small you could have a better idea than before.
Risk taking is crucial. For me, everything I do whether it’s creative, logistic, or business, all of it is risks I am taking. Like it or not, people will bet against you, want you to fail, or want to keep you in a certain spot. You need to take the risks and work against all of that. If you play it safe, you’re going to get safe results; burn the boats and don’t look back.
Alright so to wrap up, who deserves credit for helping you overcome challenges or build some of the essential skills you’ve needed?
Easily everyone who I’ve ever worked with. The creative space is a team sport for lack of a better term; it’s people coming together to create something bigger than themselves. To name a few, Kyle, Christian, Daykota, Jackie, Matt, the list goes on and it’s a very long list. I’ve learned that you should always be a student of the game and each one of these people have taught me things that have only helped me excel in my career and I am grateful for every single one of them. If I didn’t name you, I’m sorry but don’t worry, they’ll know our names very soon.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://v0idwalker.com/
- Instagram: @voidwalker_creative and @i.am.voidwalker
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556996264437
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@voidwalkercreative6147?si=WRTIpRwidn6-MbHK
Image Credits
Voidwalker Creative
Jackie Saucer
Ethan Anonas
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
