Meet Roshaun Page

 

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Roshaun Page. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Roshaun, thank you so much for making time for us. We’ve always admired your ability to take risks and so maybe we can kick things off with a discussion around how you developed your ability to take and bear risk?

I can’t pinpoint an exact moment when I became comfortable with risk, but I’ve never been someone who feared failure. Many people, especially in the entertainment industry, are held back by fear—afraid to take chances on something new or unconventional. I see things differently. The stories I tell may seem risky to others, but to me, it’s all about trusting my instincts. If my gut tells me something is right, that’s the direction I go in, and that’s the movie I’m making.

There are countless examples of people who took big risks and achieved incredible success. But for me, the key is understanding that failure isn’t the end of the world. It’s not life or death. Failure doesn’t come with the weight of a hospital stay or chemotherapy treatments. It’s just a chance to step back, see what went wrong, and come at it again—this time with more experience. What I truly want to avoid is regret, which feels far worse than any failure ever could.

So, if you’re reading this, I encourage you to take that leap. If it doesn’t work out, you’ll have learned something valuable, and next time, you’ll do it better.

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?

I’ve been writing and directing films since 2012, after realizing acting wasn’t my true calling. I’m such a realist that I found it difficult to fully immerse myself in roles, but that realism became a strength in writing and directing. Over the years, I’ve made numerous short films, including one based on Tupac’s “Brenda’s Got a Baby,” which still gets watched today and has over 100,000 views.

In 2019, I made the leap from shorts to feature films with Disruption, which turned out to be a major turning point for me. It was the first time I saw real revenue from filmmaking, and the film returned over 900% on investment. That success gave me the confidence that I could really make a career out of this. My second project, Trail of Dark Matter, started as a TV series and eventually transitioned into a five-part film. Moving to a new distributor was a great decision, as the film gained even more exposure and is now available on platforms like Amazon Prime, Tubi, and Google Play. Recently, it was also released on Indie Rights’ YouTube channel, gaining nearly 10,000 views in just two days.

Each film I create is a learning experience, and I take those lessons forward to improve my work. Right now, I’m scaling up my company to focus on mid-level productions. I’m in the process of transitioning from an LLC to a corporation, which will allow me to offer shares to investors. This will let investors share in the revenue of multiple films rather than just one.

My upcoming slate includes some exciting projects. First, a superhero thriller, something in the vein of Unbreakable, Joker, and Matt Reeves’ The Batman. This film is a collaboration with actress Jeanette Drake. Both the cast and crew are incredibly enthusiastic about the project, and the energy surrounding it is palpable. Everyone involved is eager to get started, and there’s a real sense of excitement about what we’re going to create together. After that, I’m planning a sequel to Disruption, which picks up where the first film left off, but with higher production value and a more cinematic experience. I’m genuinely excited about it—honestly, the first three pages of the sequel are better than the entire first film! Beyond that, I’m developing Painted Flowers, a crime thriller, a post-apocalyptic film about the last survivors on Earth, and a new TV series that’s still in the early stages.

In addition to my own projects, I’m passionate about supporting up-and-coming directors. My mission is to empower emerging filmmakers, particularly those from diverse backgrounds, by providing the resources they need to bring their stories to life. I want my film slate to include voices from Korean, Indian, LGBTQ+, and other underrepresented communities. I believe that by nurturing new talent, we can create films that resonate on a deeper level with a broader audience.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

One of the most impactful pieces of advice I ever received was from Steven Spielberg: focus on telling a great story first, and worry about selling it later. That idea has guided my entire career. I always follow my gut and tell stories that resonate deeply with me, rather than chasing trends or trying to please the crowd. When I do that, the stories find their own voice and naturally carve out their own path.

The second key quality is self-awareness. I’m very intentional about reflecting on my mistakes and learning from them. Every misstep is an opportunity to make adjustments, and over time, those tweaks compound into something bigger. I believe that being able to recognize where you can improve—and actually taking steps to improve—is crucial in any journey.

As I’ve grown, striving for excellence has become another cornerstone of my work. If you’re going to do something, why not aim to do it at the highest possible level? There’s no point in half-measures. Whether it’s a small project or a large-scale production, I give it everything because I want to create something lasting.

For those just starting out, my advice is this: filmmaking is challenging, especially if you don’t have financial backing. If you’re not born into privilege or wealth, like many aren’t, you have to prove yourself. Start with what’s available to you. For my first film, Disruption, I didn’t have a big budget—I filmed it in my car, under a bridge on my dad’s street, and wrote the story around that setting. Make the story great with what you have, and once you release it, people will begin to believe in you. After Disruption’s success, finding capital for my next project became much easier.

Don’t be afraid to hustle to fund your first film. I did gig work, used food stamps to feed the crew, and even had my Aunt Barb (Barbara Gamble) cook for us. I wasn’t ashamed because I knew it would get the job done. So many people pretend they’re not struggling, and in doing so, they never actually leave the bottom. Play the hand you’re dealt and make the best of it.

As a director, collaboration is key. Be a team player and allow your actors and crew to contribute ideas. Some of the best moments in my films came from letting the actors experiment and bring their own interpretations to the table. Just because you write the story doesn’t mean you know everything about everything. Great things happen when you open the door to collaboration, and it reduces stress on set, allowing your team to do their best work.

Lastly, take your time. Everyone seems to be in such a rush to create content these days, but I say ignore the noise and focus on telling the stories you love. If you do that, the right audience will find your work. Don’t let anyone push you toward “safe bets.” Even Hollywood’s safe bets can flop at the box office, so trust your gut. As Christopher Nolan said, “Stick to your guns.”

Failure is part of the process, and with great risk comes great reward. If your instincts tell you a story is worth telling, go out there and make it phenomenal.

How can folks who want to work with you connect?

I’m always excited to collaborate with passionate filmmakers and risk-takers who share my love for cinema. Right now, I’m particularly looking to partner with investors as I make the leap into mid-level productions. With our upcoming transition to a corporation, we’ll soon have 250,000 shares available, representing a 25% stake in the company.

If you’re a fellow cinema enthusiast or an investor interested in collaborating, I’d love to connect. You can reach me on LinkedIn or directly via email at [email protected] to discuss potential partnerships and opportunities further.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Max Alfieri – Headshot

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