Today we’d like to introduce you to DeVon Moore.
Hi DeVon, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
As far I can remember, I’ve always wanted to make movies and tell stories. I’ve been saying the same thing probably since 4th grade, obviously time passes and you mature. The meaning of being a filmmaker has changed, but the concept is still there. If that makes sense…it probably doesn’t so I guess it’s best to provide some exposition. In middle school, I remember film had become kind of like an afterthought; it wasn’t something I really focused on. I stumbled upon Casey Neistat in 8th grade, I can’t even really explain how inspirational Casey Neistat was and still is. Casey was the embodiment of great storytelling, I felt like I was in his shoes and I was down in NYC with him. I know for sure; he was the main reason I got back on track to really making film a part of my life again. I eventually auditioned for Savannah Arts Academy, and I got in but I had to work out two years’ worth of kinks and figuring out this high-school experience. Once again, YouTube came in clutch and I was introduced to Jermaine and Trey Richards; together they formed 4YE Media. These two became my biggest film inspiration ever. They were so detail-oriented in every video, vlog, podcast, they repped their city like no other, they did whatever they wanted to do or was inspired by. These two solidified that film was something that I was willing to do, and all I needed was a little determination to get started. My junior year I wrote my first film, called HOOPN SZN (pronounced hooping season). I wrote, directed, and edited it all by myself. I had no idea what I was doing but I had all my friends there to help and support me in making it. We were able to submit HOOPN SZN to SAA’s Film Fest, and it was a great feeling knowing that your idea was enjoyed by others. That’s all I needed, my senior year I enrolled in GFA (now SFA) and I also directed, wrote, edited, and produced three other films of mine. I enrolled in GFA at Savannah Tech because I knew being creative was one thing, but if I wanted to really make this my career, I needed to know the technical aspect as well. One of the best choices I’ve ever made, my knowledge of film increased and the access to equipment and networking opportunities became expansive. My three films were a by-product of all of that newfound information. I graduated high school, and now I attend Georgia State University in Atlanta as a Film & Media Major. I’m currently putting the finishing touches on my fifth film, Golden Hour, and I’m expanding my knowledge of film & broadcast by working with WSAV on shooting Friday’s Night Football Games.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, most of my biggest struggles have come from trial & error or trying to have a more efficient and collaborative project while making it more ambitious than the last film. My fifth film, Golden Hour, is a perfect example of not having a smooth road by any means. Around January 2021, I came up with the idea of a black pride film and that I wanted all my friends to be in it and to have a good time. Once you realize that your idea can become reality then the logistics and the plausibility of making the film come into play. I was living in Atlanta at GSU too, so I couldn’t even pitch the film to my friends in person. In March, I made a group chat with like twenty-six friends and I pitched the film to them, and everyone was extremely supportive. After That, it was time to plan the day, the groups, the location, COVID-19 Prevention, and every other minuscule detail. I planned all of that while in Atlanta, not even being able to flush out every detail in the Savannah & Tybee area. Google Maps came in clutch though, and we found this secluded part of Tybee off the skirt of US-80. We planned almost three months, for just one day of shooting, and we had to cross our fingers that it didn’t rain. Luckily, everyone made it out and we had a really great time shooting, but it came at the cost of some really ‘good’ struggling. My previous film, Where This Flower Blooms, was a documentary for my SAA Class of 2020 and it was just a recollection of our senior year, the impact of COVID-19, and providing closure. I had the whole film on this one hard drive, and it crashed and I lost every single file. It was probably the most stressful three months ever trying to recover the hard drive, but by the grace of God, I got every file back from this recovery facility in Marietta. I definitely learned from that tragedy, and now I store my film in like four different areas.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a filmmaker, that’s kind of a loose term, but I really like to direct, write, edit and produce. As of right now I just direct, write, edit, and produce my own films but I’m definitely intrigued with doing that for other creatives. I always knew that, creatively, I could come up with some interesting films and make a name from that, but I knew I also needed to have that technical aspect of the film industry. Personally, I felt like knowing the technical side of film would actually give me some worth since I’m still so young. Being able to know what cables are which, how to mix on soundboards, or camera operations, and so on allowed me to receive opportunities to build a rapport for my resume and also just learn new things that can benefit myself and others. I honestly don’t know what I’m known for. I mean I hope people can say that I’m a hard worker or if I had an idea that I’m set on that 99.99% it’ll come into fruition. I hope when Golden Hour comes out that people will grasp onto that film and resonate with it, and people will connect to me and the interviewees that brought it alive. I’m really proud of the poster for Golden Hour, I took that picture on film months before I even thought of making the film. At the top of the poster is a quote by Gil-Scott Heron, and the film was inspired by Freddie Gibbs & The Alchemist’s ‘Alfredo’ On track two of the album, they sample the same quote at the end of the song. Besides that, I’m really proud of just being able to execute making films from an idea to being pieced together as a full film. I think people forget how hard it really is to make a film, I’ve come across many people who had the idea and it didn’t get past that, so I’m grateful and proud of having the gift to be able to do it over and over again. I’m also super proud of always having my friends be a part of film in some type of way. I think that’s what sets me apart as well, I don’t want to get in the habit of making films as something dreadful. Allowing my friends and family to be a part of these films or provide advice allows us to create an experience something that we can remember. For my next film, I want the experience to be even more grand and hopefully, a local theater such as Tybee Post Theater would host us and allow the community to be a part of it as well.
How do you define success?
My definition of success will probably change in a year or two, but for right now it’s being able to accomplish the goals that I’ve set. Whether that’s finishing film, writing a new film, being able to be paid for my film skills, that’s a part of being successful in my definition.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/devonthedirector/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-VQGdDsmRGo_0gQPOfo7JA
Image Credits
Donna Von Bruening
DeVon Moore
