Today we’d like to introduce you to Eric Michael.
Hi Eric, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I’m a story-teller who makes films that are relatable to my audience. I love writing, I always had a colorful personality coupled with a vibrant speech palette especially when it was time to tell stories. I started writing my first script late 2017 while I was still in undergrad. People overlooked my talents when I was younger and it stuck with me, I felt like I had to prove myself to those “doubters” or people that passed me up for someone else. I vowed that as soon as I graduated, I would get back into film and start to curate my own lane.
The initial script that I wrote was entitled “Caught” because I felt like things I done in the past always caught up to me. It was Karma coming back to pay me a visit, only she visited often. Writing this script was a form of mental release when I had no one to talk to, being a black man. Mental health is a sensitive subject to touch on if you’re not emotionally mature to handle those conversations. That’s why I put it in story form, the script was good at it’s surface level but lacked depth. When my crew and I initially began production, mid-schedule my videographer said we need to pull the plug because it didn’t look or feel right and he was right; it was rushed and it showed from my inexperience on how to run a proper set.
Let’s fast forward to 2020. I wrote a short film. I wanted to get something out because I felt like the boy who cried wolf with my projects, all talk but no action. The project was called “Toxic Likes” it had a good response from my peers but they wanted more, the thing was I didn’t have more. I was going to continue the series until I got a call from my Dad saying he didn’t like my piece because it wasn’t true to who I was. I need to go back to the drawing more and do better.
During the whole pandemic I did that. I bought a masterclass and binged lessoned to sharpen my mind for this craft. From there I learned, you have to be the change you want to see, before you see it. I had to do some reflecting in my life, especially to push the narrative of my story. What was I trying to accomplish and get my audience to understand. What’s my end goal and that’s when it came to me. “The choices you make today, will always show up tomorrow” and that stuck with me from a sermon I heard from Michael Todd forcing me to change my piece name from “Caught” to “Consequences” during that duration I prayed for God to order my steps. From there, Jesus literally took the wheel. I gained a whole new cast, crew and script. Everything had meaning to it and the people wanted to work for this project because of the personal connection they had to it.
Fast forward to October 2021, four years later. We had our private screening for the release of “Consequences” and the scripture “good things come to those who wait” kept replaying in my head. No of this would of been possible if it wasn’t for my dad. He passed away earlier this year, which change the trajectory of my life forever. Taking things serious and not being afraid to move just because of fear. I want my work to be an example for anyone to know that anything is possible with faith and when you stay close to God. I planted this seed four years ago and just now seeing the fruit of my labor with everything I went through I stayed obedient to the last thing God told me. I’m excited to see what he does next in my life. My debut project releases December 2021/January 2022 so be on the look out!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
God gives his tough battle to his strongest soldiers, I had to lose a lot to gain a lot. My brother has autism and my father recently passed away but God is still good.
I believe God allows these things to happen, to mold us into the person we need to become. It’s a saying I like to remind myself, “When you become you, they become them.” I find that so amazing because our lives affect not only us, but the people we’re connected with and to as well. My story could impact someone across the country and I’ll never know it but because I was faithful and didn’t give up on me, they can be successful too just by having faith.
It’s easy to quit and it’s hard to keep going but remember; life is hard too. So, do you want a hard road of success or a hard road of failure? Either way, you have to choose which hard you want to live by.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a creator. I say that because the leaves room for a lot because I am a lot. I’m a writer, filmmaker, director, actor, and speaker. I’m everything and anything I put my mind to.
I’m proud of the things I’ve been able to accomplish within my 25 years of life. Having my own catering business in undergrad and it being successful. Graduating college. Writing my own film and producing it myself. The network I was able to be a part of but nothing brings me more joy than having a relationship with Christ.
I call myself the Pastor of Visual Creativity. Catchy, right? I say that because a pastor preaches a message to the majority but I believe my pool pit isn’t it a church. It’s in film and writing. So my audience reach can be wider but different than your usual pastor. I want my work to shift perspectives and change the narrative of how we look at life and situations because we’re one adjustment away from being where we need to be.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
Don’t force it, we want to have stuff just to say we have it. Allow it to be natural and genuine. Whoever you find, make sure their core values match yours. Iron sharpens iron, so we have to surround ourselves with wise counsel.
For me, I make myself available to learn from anyone. I’m not too big to learn from the next person. I keep my mind open, you want to be a sponge and a student. Learning what to do and what not to do because you’re always listening. My mentors keep it raw with me and help expose me to me. I take my feelings out of those meetings, your feelings are a bad mentor. They keep you blinded because you think you’re entitled to something more because you “deserve” it when you don’t deserve anything, it’s earned not given.
Contact Info:
- Email: ericmichael27@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_emichael_/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eric.michael23
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/_EMichael_
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYoZcXu-OY6qahMKaUGqrBw
Image Credits
Dante Rhionda @completd Nicolas Green @95filmz
