C. Neil Davenport shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi C. Neil, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
My day starts at 5 AM. I begin with push-ups, sit-ups, and stretches, then I pray. Coffee comes next, along with outlining my agenda and prioritizing where my focus needs to be. With several projects in play at various stages of development, I decide what I can advance and where I need to reallocate my time. I then read one chapter from three different books, followed by a check of my go-to news outlets and LinkedIn. I make it a point to connect with at least one person each day, scheduling a meeting whether to push a project forward or simply enjoy a coffee meet-and-greet.
Yes, I am a high-functioning workaholic and I would not have it any other way.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is C. Neil Davenport and I am an award-winning feature film screenwriter and producer. I specialize in crafting complex, genre-based, multi-platform narratives that blend compelling storytelling with meaningful social relevance. At heart, I am drawn to stories about underdogs with an entrepreneurial spirit.
After earning a BA in Communication with a minor in Theater from Augusta University (2016), I explored acting in features, television, and commercials across several cities – an experience that ultimately fueled my passion for screenwriting. From 2017 to 2020, I wrote several feature screenplays for independent producers while also earning an associate’s degree in pre-law. Then in 2021, I was accepted into the MFA Screenwriting program at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, where I had the privilege of being mentored by the late Academy Award–winning director Peter Werner. I graduated with my MFA in 2023.
My screenwriting produced credits include Camp Hideout (2023) and Bryn Gets a Life (2021). These opportunities opened the door to producing where I have worked on projects such as the faith-based football feature, All In, the true-crime novel adaptation, The Disappearance, and the short suicide-prevention film, Giving Séance.
What sets me apart is my commitment to telling stories that not only entertain, but also resonate on a deeper emotional and social level. Whether I am writing or producing, my work is rooted in genre craftsmanship and thoughtful reflection – aiming to create narratives that linger far beyond the final scene.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
There is not just one person – at least not in my life experience. Everyone has a purpose, and in the process of discovering that purpose while flitting around like little leaves along the earth – we inevitably influence those around us, whether we realize it or not. For me, there are several people who have shaped the way I see myself.
However, one person who has recently had a strong influence is my friend, Justin Vesci, a producer in the film industry. For example, whenever I send him a script for review, he offers feedback not only from a business perspective, but also from a creative one. He challenges me to explore and uncover unique solutions for brand awareness and narrative development.
He calls it, “exercising that muscle you didn’t know you had.”
What fear has held you back the most in your life?
“Not being good enough” has been the fear that has held me back the most and if I am being honest, it still lingers. I am terrified of the unknown, the unpredictable, and the possibility of rejection, and I have often used that fear as an excuse not to pursue the very things I know I need to chase.
However, I have gotten better about it – largely thanks to my mother, who always says, “The worst thing they can do is show you the door.” Still, it is something I consciously acknowledge every day so it does not keep me from moving forward on the path to success.
I think we all carry that fear to some degree – especially artists. Being an artist is a journey filled with constant doubt. Even when you reach a level of success, that nagging voice grows louder the higher up the mountain you go.
But here is what I have learned: letting fear stop you will only lead to a lifetime of regret. So rip the bandage off, take the risk, and step into the unknown because growth never happens in your comfort zone.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Whom do you admire for their character, not their power?
My friend and mentor, Jonathan Graham, is someone I deeply admire for his character. As Vice President of Mastermedia International, his reach and influence in the entertainment industry is significant, but it is who he is as a person, husband, father, a brother in Christ is something that truly inspires me.
Jonathan has a rare gift: he sees the honest truth in people and strives to draw out the very best in them. When I moved to Georgia to solidify my career, I was introduced to Jonathan in hopes of finding guidance in unfamiliar territory and six months later, he remains my steady guiding light.
Jonathan and his wife have two amazing children. It is an incredible blessing to be considered part of their extended family.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: When do you feel most at peace?
When I am watching a movie I can completely lose myself in, that is when I feel most at peace. It is one of the reasons I love the film industry – we create projects that make people feel instead of think.
That said, peace comes to me in sparse moments. Even in times when I should be able to turn my brain off like driving the car, or in the shower, or right before bed – my mind is racing at 90 miles an hour in the form of solving problems, strategizing, and developing additional ideas. For me, peace is relative.
But when I am in the cinema, or on the couch watching a truly good movie, that is when I can finally let my hair down, kick off my shoes, and forget about everything else in the world for the moment.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://cneildavenport.com/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cneildavenport/
- Other: https://substack.com/@cneildavenport?utm_source=user-menu
