Meet Spencer Hawkins

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

Spencer, thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts with us today. We’re excited to dive into your story and your work, but first let’s start with a broader topic that might be stopping many of our readers from pursuing their dreams – haters, nay-sayers, etc. How have you managed to persist despite haters and nay-sayers that inevitably follow folks who are doing something unique, special or off the beaten path?

If you don’t have any haters, you’re probably not doing something right. People hate because of their own insecurities, jealous that you had the courage to do something they never built up the confidence to try it. It eats them alive to see you enjoying the fruits of your labor. Misery loves company.

I used to ask myself “why is everybody hating on me instead of uplifting me?” One day my dad said, “Son, believe it or not, they actually admire you.” I still did not believe my dad for a while until one day, I woke up and really thought about what he said, in an instance those words shifted my perspective. I realized that even the greats probably heard the same doubts. Somebody, somewhere probably told Denzel or Tom Cruise they’d never make it as actors. Now look at those guys, two of the most respected and highest paid figures in cinema history.

Do you think those guys think about their haters while sitting on a yacht, spending time with their families and drinking a mojito? not a chance in the world. They’re too busy living the life they built, and thats the point. Keep pushing, stay focused, and let your success be the loudest response.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I am a writer-director from Hampton, Virginia, but currently reside in Atlanta, Georgia. Filmmaking is not my full-time job and thats deliberate and on purpose. For me, It’s a hobby that serves as my creative outlet. I believe once a hobby transitions into a job, you lose the feeling of enjoyment. Suddenly, rent being paid is determined on how good you write a script and that’s not a risk worth taking at the moment. A lot of other people will disagree, but I prefer to minimize risk as best as possible because the bank is still going to come look for their money whether you’re employed or not.

What excites me the most about being a writer-director is bringing your vision to life and sharing your creativity to the world.
Storytelling has no limits, you can make a film about anything. I’ve seen powerful, well executed stories written about a cup of coffee, getting fired from your job, a farmer picking grapes and even filling up your car with gas. That’s the beauty of this craft; no idea is too small and execution is strong. I’ve been moving quietly behind the scenes in 2025, but 2026 will be much much different. I’m coming out swinging with three short films for my supporters, and also developing the pilot for my series.

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?

Two things that helped shaped my journey the most were the wisdom passed down from my elders and the lessons I taught myself along the way. Academia subjects like math, science and English come with strict rules, and if you don’t follow them then there are consequences. But creativity, it’s different. Art has no rules, no boundaries, and no limits. My favorite kind of subject. That type of freedom is what makes it powerful.

When I was fresh into the game, I use to see rejection from film festivals as failure. I use to think they were some haters, but with time, experience and guidance, I realized rejection doesn’t define you, It just means those viewers were not my audience. Someone else will connect with your vision.

So here’s my advice to aspiring filmmakers; never let anyone kill your spirit and don’t let opinions weigh you down. What matters is staying true to your art and pushing forward. Take Project X as an example, banger movie by the way, I consider it one of the greatest teen films of the millennial generation. Critics trashed it, called it corny and terrible, Hating at its finest, but it still crushed at the box office. Why? because it founds it’s audience. Thats proof success comes when you stay bold, authentic and keep creating.

What would you advise – going all in on your strengths or investing on areas where you aren’t as strong to be more well-rounded?

Have you ever heard the phrase “Jack of all trades, but master of none”? you do not want to be the person who bounces around, because then you’re seen as a floater instead of an asset. Whatever sparks your interest first, focus on mastering it before moving on to another skill. When I first decided to write films, I had no idea what in the world I was doing, because a part of me wanted to wear multiple hats at the same time. I never considered myself a strong writer in school because I didn’t care about any of the topics that I was forced to write about. Over time, though, I came to understand that art is subjective and has no strict rules. My first handful of films were written from personal experiences and I added a layer of comedy to it for entertainment purposes. My approach has always been to never rush the process.

When I’m at work, I’m constantly thinking about ideas and how to piece them together so the story makes sense. Sometimes a short film can take me weeks to write, even though I improvise most of them. But, if I want to create something truly special, it can take longer. I learned to write and direct simultaneously because that was the only way my films were going to get made. Naturally, I’ve always been a director and writing was a skill I had to develop over the years through practice, but I stayed focused and determined. Now, I am taking acting lessons because I want to understand an actors point of view a little better, which I believe will strengthen my directing skills.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: lavishedprince
• Youtube: https://youtu.be/0b3_16YPo9s?si=Pb9SSz8XjYp7MyqZ

Image Credits

Titus Sapp