Today we’d like to introduce you to Dreka Shevon.
Hi Dreka, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I grew up in the tiny town of Fayette, Mississippi — the kind of place where dreaming of becoming a filmmaker felt almost unrealistic. I didn’t know a single person in the industry. But movies? Movies were our love language. My parents, my three sisters, and I had weekly movie nights, and whenever storms knocked the power out, my sisters and I would turn into impromptu performers, reenacting our favorite scenes by candlelight. Storytelling was our entertainment, our escape, and our bonding time.
Then came freshman year of high school. I met someone with a camcorder, and it was like holding magic in my hands. I begged my parents for one, and once I got it, I never put it down. I became “the camera girl” — filming everything from silly skits to school events. Everyone thought I was going to take my full scholarship to major in Biology to be in medicine, but film had me hooked. Eventually, I did something bold: I switched my major to film and walked away from a full scholarship because I couldn’t ignore the pull anymore.
College introduced me to filmmaking the old-school way — real film stock, 16mm cameras, literal splicing in the edit bay. It grounded me in the craft. But after graduation, reality hit: there was no real film industry in Mississippi. So I took a job as a Senior Account Exec at Clear Channel (now iHeart). I spent weekdays selling radio ads and weekends shooting music videos, investing every extra dollar into equipment. And in the background, I was quietly writing my first feature film.
In 2007, I finally said, “Why not?” A neighbor read my script and encouraged me to shoot it. We held auditions at the local library expecting maybe 20 people — instead, over 160 showed up. We had to extend auditions just to see everyone. But the real plot twist? I didn’t have a single crew member. Not one.
So I became the crew.
I set up lights, cooked for the cast, did makeup, directed, shot the film, recorded sound, and eventually ended up starringin it when my lead actress had scheduling conflicts. It was pure guerrilla filmmaking — teaching actors how to move the camera, shooting wherever we could, squeezing scenes in after work. After 19 shoot days over two months and three months of editing while juggling a full-time job, we premiered at the Saenger Theater in Hattiesburg. Nine hundred people showed up. Seeing that audience watch something I created from scratch was one of the best moments of my life.
Life kept moving. I got married, moved to Houston, shot more music videos, then went through a divorce and landed back in Mississippi with $300 and a truck note. I moved in with my parents again, thinking it was a setback — but it turned out to be perfect timing. On a random trip to get my hair done, the stylist asked if I’d ever thought about working at a news station. One of her classmates worked there — and by pure coincidence, he walked into the salon that same day. A commercial producer position had just opened. I rushed home, cut together a reel from old footage, and despite them not loving the sample commercial I made, they hired me because of my music video and film background.
From there, things picked up fast. I learned a ton, trained people brought in above me, and eventually prayed for something more. Then came the call from Memphis — they’d heard about me, liked my work, and offered almost double the pay. I became the Head of Creative Services at an NBC affiliate, overseeing their commercial department.
By 2017, I was ready to bet on myself again. I quit my job and moved to Atlanta to break into film. It was slow, humbling, but necessary. Eventually, I went back to Mississippi, opened an office, and built my production company — Prime Stone Media — from the ground up. It was like once I jumped, things started to open up. I grew my business and took on film projects across the south from LA, to TX. Since then, I’ve shot my second feature in Mississippi — entitled Momma’s Boy starring Pooch Hall, Brely Evans, and introducing Dorian Davis. This project was me betting on myself. I worked hard and saved until I had 80 percent of the budget then was blessed to meet someone, James Henley who believed in me and helped. I brought majority of my crew from Atlanta, we got it knocked out with 13 days of filming. Throughtout the past 8 years, I’ve worked on projects for VH1, BET, and others. For a while, I got fully submerged in “crew life,” but now I’m back to creating my own projects, and getting back in the director’s seat, feels like coming home.
Today, I’m one of the few women who writes, directs, produces, DPs, edits, cam ops — and acts when needed — professionally. My path wasn’t straight or easy, but it was mine, and every twist prepared me for the storyteller I’ve become. Wearing all of the hats that I’ve worn over the years in the film industry finally getting back to the director’s chair makes me feel I’ve earned my seat.
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?
The journey has not been smooth at all. In 2017, it was fighting to prove myself in a male dominated industry, in many times being the only woman in the camera dept and often the only African American. Today’s struggle is more on finding time to create while maintaining my client’s projects. I’m blessed that I don’t rely on one place to keep the lights on. In 2017 I purchased a production van, and I haven’t stopped moving.
As you know, we’re big fans of Prime Stone Media. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Prime Stone Media is a full-scale multimedia production company specializing in film, corporate content, commercials, and high-impact visual storytelling. Over the years, we’ve grown into a trusted name for businesses, entrepreneurs, and individuals who want high-quality content that truly connects with their audience.
What sets us apart is that we don’t just create videos — we tell stories with intention. Because of my background in both filmmaking and marketing, Prime Stone Media sits at the intersection of creativity and strategy. We help clients not only bring their vision to life but also strengthen their brand, elevate their presence, and communicate their value in a way that feels authentic and engaging.
We guide clients from concept to completion — whether it’s a full film, a commercial campaign, or targeted video marketing. We’re passionate about helping businesses grow, and we approach every project with a filmmaker’s eye, a marketer’s mindset, and a personal dedication to capturing the heart of the story.
If someone is ready to bring their idea to life or take their brand to the next level visually, Prime Stone Media is the partner that can make it happen — from the first spark of an idea all the way to the finished product.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
For me, everything comes back to purpose. The camera is my tool, my weapon, and my way of giving a voice to people and stories that often go unheard. I’m driven to create work that empowers, entertains, enlightens, and educates — stories that make people feel seen. I’ve enjoyed producing and directing other peoples projects that tell great stories as well.
At the heart of my mission is the desire to rebuild and uplift families. I believe film can act as a mirror, reflecting both the beauty and the imperfections of real life. When we see ourselves honestly, we grow. When we see healthier examples, we heal. My goal is to use storytelling as a pathway to restoration — showing audiences that healthy families, healthy relationships, and healthy communities are possible and through my non profit – Prime Stone Media Institute, I’ve been able to give a lot of people opportunities to gain hands on experience on set. To see them grow their careers on set and in media or start their own business in media is amazing.
That purpose is what fuels everything I do as a filmmaker and creator.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.primestonemedia.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drekashevon
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dreka.shevon/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dreka-shevon
Image Credits
Headshot photographer – Griff Griffin (me sitting in director’s chair
