Today we’d like to introduce you to Will Harwell
Hi Will, 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?
I grew up in Virginia Beach, Virginia, in a Navy household. I was fortunate enough to stay in one place by the time I was born, unlike many military kids. This meant I could establish roots and connect with people from Virginia Beach throughout my childhood. My parents also loved movies from the 90s, so they put in their own movie theater room with a big screen, a projector, and a popcorn machine. So there I was, young and watching movies all the time; I loved the adventure and imagination around it. I’d share my excitement with my friends and attempt to make these stories through film. This snowballed as I got older, and before I knew it, I attended Governor School for the Arts in Norfolk every day after high school. That didn’t last long; I felt I wasn’t getting the education I needed and wanted to focus on my high school experience. And so I did. I continued making films with my friends, watched YouTube videos constantly to learn, and kept up with all my APs because I knew I would go somewhere expensive. Then came 2018; my sister was preparing to go to college the following spring, so she was touring up and down the East Coast. I tagged along to see all the schools and checked out their film programs; we also went to see schools focusing specifically on art. That led us to SCAD in Savannah, Georgia. I instantly fell in love with the small-city vibes, the proximity to the beach, the warm weather throughout the year, and the history. It was a perfect match for me. So, without really applying to any other colleges, I committed to SCAD, and that’s how I ended up in Savannah, establishing myself in the wild film world.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Life always has its ups and downs. But I have wanted this for so long; I have literally been making films since I was ten. And when you have that kind of determination, you keep your head down and just keep going. It’s never a smooth road; starting from scratch in Savannah was difficult for me, moving to a new city alone and trying to find my identity as an artist in a highly competitive area, but I’m doing it. Day by day, I’m chipping away at finding success. Lately, it has started to pay off. I feel very fortunate; you can’t artificially make this experience; getting into this industry and growing as an artist is such a unique experience that has been so awesome. So I love every part of it, even the bumps.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
As an artist, I am still finding myself. I haven’t even graduated from SCAD yet! But I am a senior, and I am almost there. First and foremost, I want to be a Director/Writer, and I have never felt more confident in that than I do now. I have always wanted that, but so does everyone, so I wanted to test myself to make sure I was fit for it. My senior thesis at SCAD is a film called Downtown Disarray, and I just finished shooting in early February. “After a daring heist goes terribly wrong, a betrayed and wounded outlaw seeks refuge in a derelict bar to confront his estranged brother, who left him to die when he needed him the most. “It is a modern Western drama that takes place here in Savannah and revolves around the main character, Jeremiah, coming to terms with the fact there can no longer be outlaws in 2025. This is a film I spent a year preparing for, honing the script, bringing on crew, fundraising for our budget, and casting. For a student film, it is a logistic nightmare that required so much effort from me and my wonderful Producer, Bella Monzo. We had horses, a closed-off road in Savannah, an armorer, actual police on set, an insane Production Design to make the bar look abandoned, and lots of film equipment. It was insanity, but we pulled it off, and it was the most rewarding experience in the world. I felt in that moment and within the following weeks since wrapping that I truly am meant to be a director. ” Last weekend, I spent four full days on the most physically and emotionally intense set I have been lucky enough to be a part of… I couldn’t imagine doing this with any other team. This set was unlike any other I can safely say that I have now truly lived.” This is a quote from Cameron Rattray, who plays the main character, Jeremiah. And that is how I know; I am so proud of the work I did with my extraordinary actors, my producer for putting it all together, and my cam team for making the film look stunning. It was genuinely the most rewarding experience I have ever had. This film has so much heart and brevity but remains a spectacle in Western fashion. My good friend characterized my style as “Character with spectacle.” That is precisely what Downtown Disarray and every other film I have made at SCAD are.
Beyond that, I am currently working as a subcontractor for Timeline Productions, a local business that works with clients such as Gulfstream and various golf courses around the area. I recently went to Switzerland to work on a special project with Gulfstream! My duties are centered explicitly around shooting video for these various clients. Furthermore, I have stepped into the freelancer role and done a few projects independently. Most notably, I shot my first wedding in the fall and began a relationship with the venue I hope to continue using. I am trying to broaden my horizons while still focusing on my goal of becoming a professional director!
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
The most important lesson I have learned is to keep going. I kind of said this earlier, but if you keep your head down and keep doing the work, you get recognized. The hard work pays off, but you must show up daily. Success starts with discipline; if you don’t want it as bad as the next person, you’ll just get passed by. So, being present, helping friends, fostering connections, and always working on these things will breed success. So keep going and never stop.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/willharwell/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/will-harwell-272637274/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Willthethrillproductions
- Other: https://linktr.ee/downtowndisarray
