Today we’d like to introduce you to Wesley Walker.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Wesley. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
When I was a kid my Grandma (MoMo) used to take me to a lot of movies and introduced me to classic Hollywood and Horror and Sci-Fi movies from the 60s through 80s. I had always loved watching movies and TV and couldn’t get enough of it. Even at a young age, I found myself playing with cameras and trying to own classic movies of all genres. Even though I was discouraged by my Dad (He thought he knew what was best). I started shooting skits with friends in 8th grade and learned more an more.
I entered college with the intent on doing something in biology, but I changed my major to communications and made a run for the film industry. After four years of my education, I had several shorts under my belt. I experimented with lighting and cinematography and learned the directed process through trial and error.
For the past five years, I’ve worked on several Films, Tv-Shows, Commercials, and Industrials. I’ve directed several music videos for Emmanuel Hudson and shot a lot of his content as a cinematographer and editor. I worked in the Office on The Haunting of Hill House for the entire show and Dolly’s Heart Strings in Locations for the entire run of the show. As of now, I’ve made over 100 shorts be it sketches or narrative. This year I’m doing two shorts. Both Sci-Fi with one almost done and one in Pre-Production, as well as developing my first feature film.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It hasn’t been all the smooth. I’m not Hollywood at all and come from a family of Engineers and So I was taught to go the academic route. I had to pay for school and expenses myself. This is something I kind of did on my own. It’s one of those scenarios where I have to make it or I will fall big time. So in my mind, I will never give up and until it happens. It’s a thing I’ve learned from reading books on Kevin smith, Robert Rodrigez, and Spike Lee. Those guys are my inspiration and love the struggle that they went through and now I know I’m not alone.
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
So currently I work for Graham-Field Health Products and shoot all their product videos and edit them as well. My skills include Directing, Cinematography, and Editing. A bit of a jack of all trades, which I was taught is good for the current filmmaking landscape. My company is Retro Rad Films. The name is derived from my love of retro things and my attitude towards filmmaking. I feel that making films is rad because It’s something not everyone gets to do. With my company, on the side, I’ve shot various types of media doing narratives, commercials, music videos, and corporate content. More information and some of my work can be seen at www.retroradfilms.com as well as rates and contact information. My first feature film will cover issues related to gender and the culture war between generations and that both sides can relate. It should be done within a year to 2 years. Also, my biggest influences are Stanley Kubrick, Spike Lee, Robert Rodrigez, Kevin Smith, Richard Linklater, Ed Wood, Lloyd Kaufman, and Christopher Nolan.
What were you like growing up?
Growing up, I started off being very quiet and as I got older I started to open up and come onto my own. I was very terrified of girls as a kid and as I got older I developed more confidence with the opposite sex. I learned more about myself and accepted my Bi-Sexual nature. It was a bit of a struggle dealing with my sexuality growing up. I’ve been best described as quiet, but loud when I need to be and pretty funny on the fly. I loved movies as I said really gravitating towards horror, sci-fi and old classic movies. I never really fit in with my family except for my Dad. I and he are similar in a lot of ways. He did music while I did movies. He wanted me to not fail like him so he pushed me towards academics. He’s very proud of me now. Grew up in a methodist and catholic family living with my dad, but was non-religious my whole life and kept it secret. Now as an adult I can be outspoken and am very driven towards my filmmaking career.
Pricing:
- Directing Shorts or Music Videos – $500 a day
- Directing Shorts or Music Videos – $4000 Flat Rate
Contact Info:
- Website: www.retroradfilms.com
- Phone: 678-343-0138
- Email: retroradfilms@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/retroradfilms/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/retroradfilms/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/retroradfilms
Image Credit:
Alexandria Aldrich
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