When did you first start getting into video?
I first got into it about 3 years ago, completely by chance. I’d just moved here from Florida and was messing around in a friend of mine’s studio, Max Witt, and while he was making music I came across a T3i which his grandmother had gotten him as a gift and just shot the whole session and made a little trailer out of it. After that we decided to shoot a few videos just for fun and I really didn’t even think too much of it until a few months later when I was at work one day and just incredibly blown by whatever had happened and made the conscious decision in that moment that I couldn’t spend another working towards anything else that wasn’t my dream or everything that I’d envisioned for myself and believed I was capable of doing. So that day after my shift was over I went and put in my notice and I haven’t worked another day at a job since.
What was the first major video you were able to work on?
In all honesty, I don’t think I’ve ever worked on anything that I would consider to be a major video yet, which I’m completely okay with. I have no doubt that in due time that opportunity will come so, for now, I’ve just been enjoying creating with like-minded people that genuinely believe in what I’m doing and are fully supportive of it. For the large majority of people making music they put their heart and soul and everything else that they have into these songs so it’s a huge honor and opportunity for them to entrust me with that and I try to do something great each time regardless of how big it is.
I see you working with Cupcakke a lot. How did you guys link up? And how has it been working with her?
CupcakKe and I originally linked up about 2 years ago. Her old manager hit me up via Twitter/Facebook and that weekend we shot this drill video in the middle of Harvey and have been working together ever since. That whole relationship is one of my favorites by far. She’s come so far in such a short amount of time and out of all the people that I’ve worked with I can’t think of anyone that deserves it more. People are very quick to discredit her or be dismissive just because of the nature of her music or the persona she puts out there but one, purely rapping wise she’s incredibly gifted, and two, I don’t know anyone that works harder or that’s as kind and generous as she is. She’s taken her success and her platform and used it to help anyone and everyone that she can with it, and it’s all sincere. I really can’t say enough great things about her as a person.
I remember earlier this year when we first met, it seemed like you were feeling a bit upset because you weren’t where you wanted to be creatively. Are you feeling like you’re on the right path now? And if so, how has your approach to your work changed over time?
I definitely feel like I’m on the right path now or at least getting there. It’s really easy to get caught up in things out of your control like not getting the opportunities you want or feel like you deserve or just being envious of what other people are doing but if nothing else over this past year I’ve come to realize just how fortunate I am to be in this position at all. Every day that I wake up I get to do the one thing I want to do more than anything and I have a chance to better myself and create something great, which I was definitely taking for granted for a while. Now I’ve learned to just appreciate the process and the journey and I’ve started making much better, intentional work because of it.
As time continues on, what do you want to accomplish with your work?
Like everyone else, I think that cares deeply about the work they’re doing I want to get to a point where I’m consistently making things that are timeless and I can stand by proudly. I really just want to get to the point that I’m creating at the highest level and making meaningful, impactful work like the work of those I admire. I can’t imagine anything else that would be more fulfilling than that. And hopefully, along the way, I’m able to inspire and make a difference in the lives of a lot of people who are figuring out what they want to do the same way that I was at that time. Without Chandler Lass, Visual Mecca or Parker Foster of Visual SZN I think it’s highly unlikely that I’m here doing what I am today so I’m very grateful for that and hopefully I can pay it forward.
What’s been your biggest failure and what did you learn from it?
My biggest failure to this point, in my opinion, has been overlooking doing the little things and also getting away from doing the things that allowed me to get where I am in the first place. Responding to texts or emails in a timely manner, having a positive attitude, putting in the time to learn consistently and just approaching each project with the right mindset and wanting to do your best work are just a few of the things that will always go such a long way. For a while I got complacent and I probably missed out on a lot of opportunities because of that and rubbed some people the wrong way, which is not at all something I wanted to do. It was a learning experience though and something I came to understand once I realized how fortunate I was to even be in this position in the first place.
What’s been the most unexpected thing from directing/working in a creative field?
The one thing that I never really anticipated was just how much working in a creative field will change you as a person. Between working with the constant baseline of stress knowing that there’s always pressure to create and that your future success is tied to that next project and also just the entire lifestyle that comes with it, it can really take a toll and affect you in ways you never would’ve expected. Overall though, I’m incredibly grateful for it because I can only say that I’m a better and more resilient person because of it.
If you could think of working on one dream project, what would it be?
I’d have to say my dream project would be going on a road-trip with Healy and YOG$ and making a visual album for Subluxe. It’s easily one of my favorite albums of all time and I can only imagine that would be a surreal experience getting to create in that environment and collaborate with two people whose work I really respect and admire.
Over the years of working with people, what has been the best piece of advice you’ve been given?
The best advice and the one that’s always stuck with me the most is just to remember that everyone’s path is different and to not get so caught up in who’s getting what opportunities or all of the things that you think you deserve. If you really love what you do then just keep in mind that it’s a gift to be able to do what you love every single day of your life regardless of what level it’s at and if you’re putting everything you have into the work you’re doing while also having the right attitude and making sure that you’re prepared when the opportunities do come, there’s no way that you won’t get to where you want to be.
Chicago Creatives 