We were lucky to catch up with Tyre Mills recently and have shared our conversation below.
Tyre, first a big thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and insights with us today. I’m sure many of our readers will benefit from your wisdom, and one of the areas where we think your insight might be most helpful is related to imposter syndrome. Imposter syndrome is holding so many people back from reaching their true and highest potential and so we’d love to hear about your journey and how you overcame imposter syndrome.
Imposter syndrome has been a continuous struggle for me over many years. My first experience working on a movie set led to internalized imposter syndrome for me. Just prior to this experience I had come out of a dark place in life battling depression and a suicidal period, financial hardships, trying to get back into college after flunking out, relationship issues, surviving a head on collision accident, losing my job, dealing with a few legal issues, having family members also sick in the hospital at the same time, and ultimately fighting some health issues of my own that had me sick while in school. Things couldn’t have looked any worse and yet one day I honestly felt like I heard The LORD speak to me to go and pursue purpose, and to not worry about how things seemed at the moment. So fast forward to this one day I was becoming eager to learn film, I could picture myself crystal clear doing all the things I am currently doing now. I decided to find a way to get onto any set I could any way possible. I went to my college’s film dept and asked around, I was given an address to a studio where a big student thesis film was being shot. I had no idea what I was doing or what to do when I got there, other people working there even noticed that I was clueless and seemed annoyed by me being there. I showed up so excited to be there like a kid at disney world for the first time in his life, although I was probably more of a nuisance to the crew. I got to know other people on set, some were friendly and liked my energy, others were not so much. I was enjoying myself there because at the time this was the only positive thing going in my life. Anxiety and Imposter syndrome started to build inside me because no one there looked like me, and everyone had a network already and resources, credits, a following, and a name for themself etc. I felt like “what was I even doing there” this was completely out of my league. Like who the hell did I think I was just jumping in like that amongst pros? Some of the people there had produced big budget movies in the industry already. Everyone working on set were film students from Loyola Marymount, UCLA, USC and CSUN also there were masters students and industry professionals who had been working on films for years. Many of them were using all of the big boy toys you see in Hollywood and equipment I couldn’t even tell you the name of. I left the last day feeling so overwhelmed about what I got myself into. I stayed the course everyday of production though, not doing much but moving equipment around and observing from afar when I could.
For those who don’t know my story, I did not go to film school to learn the craft of Cinematography, I graduated CSUN with a bachelors degree in something completely unrelated Kinesiology & Africana Studies. So when I started the journey to get where I am now, I was eager and excited but also many days I was doubtful. Doubtful because I had a dream that I had no formal training or skills for, no contacts for and no money. I could barely pay the rent and get time off to go film, so this wasn’t looking like a promising dream, But GOD as my pastor Michael JT Fisher would say.
I overcame by teaching myself everything I could. I had relentless dedication to studying on my own. I would spend 5-7 hours a day watching YouTube videos about film, I went to CSUN’s Library and read all the time about film, I invested in masterclasses, I would check out any resource I could find at CSUN’s film/media dept. I was so devoted that I practically cut off my entire social life for some years. My journey of being a filmmaker has had many phases, but imposter syndrome has played a role in each of them. In my first years as a filmmaker I attended acting classes and almost everyone I came across had been doing it since they were a child or many years before me and had networks to tap into I didn’t. I made lots of rookie mistakes and felt like the odd ball out in the room many times however one thing I feel like The LORD showed me was I had made room for the gift he gave me because I persisted and stuck in the game no matter what. Now almost every person I started with on those first sets no longer works in film, or went to do something else. I have since transcended those days and become an Award Winning Cinematographer at Ryda 4 Life Filmz. As a Cinematographer I have shot 3 feature films, 2 episodic tv series, multiple short films, over 8 music videos, weddings, product commercials for jewelry brands “Risque Accessories, Legato Collection Alcoholic Beverages, TV Commercials & Content for The City of Compton CA, Pick 6 NFL Flag Football league, NFL Pick 6 Girls Flag Football league, UC Berkeley, and KJLH Radio, Greater Zion Church Family etc. I share this all because I want anyone else who has felt imposter syndrome to know that I still have days once in a blue moon when I experience it despite all of my achievements. I often have days where I feel like I should be much further along than I am or not qualified enough to do what I do to be in rooms I’ve found myself in. but it’s okay to recognize this is because as humans we experience emotions that don’t suit us but we don’t have to accept them if we control our thoughts. Controlling my thoughts has been my ultimate method of overcoming. I am blessed to be surrounded by people who have always seen more in me than I see in myself sometimes. Also I have had The LORD reveal to me many times that people in high positions with titles don’t always have all the answers and many times I have taught and/or helped others who might have more than me status wise in the industry. Everyone in my corner has helped me overcome this when they tell me to remember who the hell I am and that I am fearfully and wonderfully made. The rooms I end up in are not by mistake. Also I am an avid reader, and the book “Outwitting The Devil” by Napoleon Hill has helped me to overcome many things in life including Imposter Syndrome.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I am a Cinematographer, Director and Photographer. Most known for shooting Independent Films at Ryda 4 Life Filmz such as “The Council” now on Apple TV and Tubi. My focus is always on becoming a better DP, but now I am always studying something, whether it be old films from decades ago in black and white, films from other countries that aren’t in english, independent films youtube short films or series etc. what gives me an edge is I like to study avenues beyond hollywood, because budget does not determine quality, and many times when I can uncover the method behind a creators vision, I can then see the vision beyond only what a budget can do. I started by learning how to DIY everything, now 8 years later here we are. Cameras, shots, angles, moves, and lighting is all like a language I live to learn more and more about everyday. I read books and study philosophy outside of my work in this craft and that is what gives me and advantage many don’t consider.
In addition to Film, I also shoot and occasionally Co-host DaPatioPoliticz Podcast at Ryda 4 Life Filmz, I Fly Drones, shoot photography, teach high school students film, and every year at
The Las Vegas Black Film Festival I teach the Cinematography Masterclass “Effective Through the Lens”
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?
There isn’t a secret sauce to this stuff. Have Faith (faith in GOD), Self Determination and Persistence. Through all of these and more you must always do your best to maintain and a positive outlook on things even when it doesn’t look like things are going to work. Read a lot, everyday if you can, pray, meditate, check your circle of friends, get honest feedback from people you trust. These are all practical skills that sound cliche but at the end of the day they are more important than any one skill involving the craft, because it all starts in the mind. I was never a fan of Kobe Bryant while he was in the league but I always respected him. I’ve found that studying his approach to basketball, as well as Steph Curry, and Michael Jordan’s approach has helped me in how I work to get better at my own. Study something every day, practice shooting always, even if its just pulling out my phone for a few shots, look at light everywhere you go, people watch, listen to how people talk, ask why questions, study others at my craft, also study kids creativity. Kids often times are more outspoken and expressive because society has not yet imprinted on them like adults. Don’t chase money, attract money by who you become, harvest it from what you sow, sow carefully [Jim Cohn]. Hustling for gig after gig is the real hamster wheel if there’s no long term goal.
Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?
“Outwitting The Devil” is a book that has played a huge role in my development. I am a fan of reading books more than once. I have many books that I’ve owned for over 10 years and I’ve read them once, picked them up again and read them 3-5 years later sometimes more and there’s still something new to learn. Outwitting the Devil is a book that many people need to read before they start out at life period. I can’t put it any simpler than that. This book was so eye opening and life changing that the first time I read it 2014, I couldn’t even take in more than the first two chapters that night. I had to pause it and go for a walk because the information was almost scary. Fast forward to 9-10 years later I have the physical copy of the original unedited version from 1937 and am still reading it like new. there’s something different to be learned when you take notes and highlight things. The Life changing info in this book comes from the interview with the devil when he admits to Napoleon hill the author that he controls 98% of human beings in the world by manipulating their minds, habits and thought patterns. He induces people to fall into the “Habit of Drifting” through a natural law of nature that we take for granted called Hypnotic Rhythm. Usually the average person I share this book with judge it as crazy when you describe the interview, but many fail to realize that it packs wisdom that is indisputable once you apply what you’ve read. It’s not based on religion, however the Bible and christ are mentioned throughout it. The book overlaps with teachings of the Bible and many ancient proverbs almost perfectly.
QUOTES FROM OUTWITTING THE DEVIL:
Be definite in everything you do and never leave unfinished thoughts in the mind.
Every adversity brings with it the seed of an equivalent benefit
The urge to continue must be stronger than the urge to quit
Opinions are the cheapest commodities on earth. Everyone has a flock of opinions ready to be wished upon anyone who will accept them.
The Greatest forces are intangible and invisible, yet they produce tangible and visible results.
Nature will not tolerate idleness, mental or physical.
No man is successful until he has learned to find God’s cosmic habit force.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @Millsuave44
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tyre-mills-iv-7a519738/
- Other: @Ryda4LifeFilmz, @Dapatiopoliticz
