Meet Devon Thomas of GoodvibezProduction in Clayton County

Today we’d like to introduce you to Devon Thomas.

Devon, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
August 1st of 2017, I moved into my place where me and my good friend, more like a brother, who was already living in Atlanta, about to graduate from college, introduce me to a good idea that we should be roommates, but the only kicker is that we would have to wait eight months before we move in. So, at the time in my life, I was working as a C.N.A (Certified Nursing Assistant) in Brunswick, GA. Also, at the time, I’m 24 years of age. Yes! I had a “Career” job, but it really wasn’t my passion. Even though I loved my job. Being around the residents made my day better and I believed I made theirs better.

The residents used to always say things like, “Young man, I hope you do not finish here! you are to bright” “I can see you as a Doctor,” etc. but to be honest, I didn’t know what I really wanted in life. So, when my good friend came to me with the idea to move to Atlanta and be roommates, I quickly agreed. In my mind, I’m thinking like, “I don’t have kids, I’m still young and didn’t have anything but a car in my name, so why not? So, now it’s august 1st, 2017 and I’m in Atlanta, GA. Although I didn’t have to stress too much on finding a job, I had to stress about adjusting to a bigger city, the lifestyle, the traffic and most importantly, my next big step because I’m not getting younger. The idea of Atlanta was easy, But actually living in Atlanta was not! and I quickly found that out. I quickly realized that this one job was not enough. At the time, I just have my c.n.a license. Although it’s a medical field job, the position do not pay as well as others would assume.

So now I’m a 24-year-old soon to be 25 years old in debt and stressing about my next step and how I am going to keep up with my car note, car insurance, rent with utilities, phone bill and food etc. I tried maintaining my nursing job with uber and it still didn’t work out. I stressed about this but didn’t give up. I could have easily just went back home where it’s more affordable, but I couldn’t, I really just wanted to find my way, and I hated the thought of quitting. I prayed and literally held my head high and continued to be me and prayed more, so now its 2018 in February. I’m on my break at work and I was talking to a good friend on the phone. We was comparing our struggles, making jokes, like friends usually do (l.o.l) and she said to me Devon, if you need more money, I think you should go to this agency called “Central casting” It’s agency for extras and background actors and actresses. So, I asked how much it cost to sign up? And she says “sign-up is free and free headshots!… so I looked at her with a grin and a startled look and said “free?” so we got off the phone and I did my research on google. Later that day, when I got off, I went straight there and signed up.

They emailed me and I had a job the very next day! now I have three occupations, but it still wasn’t enough! but it was a start and I was happy with that. The only thing I did in the past relating to acting was this stage performance when I was young called “This land is your Land” by Woody Guthrie. So yeah, even though I wasn’t familiar with acting or being an extra in shows and movies, I was excited because I’m surrounded by famous people that I was just watching not even a year ago. Being around that energy made me feel like it wasn’t work at all. Being on set made me forget all the problems I had at the time. But reality always sat in when I made it home because being an extra didn’t pay as well neither. Pay range was about $65-$100 a day, depending on how long you are on set. I loved being there so much that I had to make a decision if I should continue being a full-time employee as a C.N.A or go (P.R.N), which is part-time.

After two weeks of thinking, I decided to go part-time. I met some of the most ambitious, outgoing, energetic young folks I have ever been around. I’m from Miami, Florida but was raised in Brunswick, GA, after 13, so, in Brunswick it’s a small town and slower. So, seeing others like me from all parts of the world on set was like a breath of fresh air. One day while I was on set for the show (The quad), I and a couple friends (coworkers) came up with a short-film idea inspired by my funny story I was telling while we was football players on the sideline. We never fully finished, but it inspired me to do my own short film, which I called it “proposal going wrong,” but I needed actors, cinematographer, Director, location etc. So, with me not having credentials as an actor or just plan respect in the acting world, I felt like it would be hard to do so, but God happened. I talked to one of my great friends Tori Sanders (Instagram @Toralaifilms), who is a college graduate from Clayton state university. after she graduated, she went to become one of the best and still growing cinematographer, editor, producers and Director in Atlanta GA.

After I typed the script and sent it to her Gmail, I called her and she didn’t even hesitate. She said she liked the idea and just let her know when I’m ready. So all it was left for me to do was find the actors/actresses with the locations and we can move forward. Of course, for the actors and actresses, I had to call my new friends I met during my time on set as an extra and background actor. I called everyone one by one, pitching them the idea I had. Let’s just say all nine of them was excited! So, now I have my cinematographer and actors on board with the location, which was my house. I invited everyone over to my house before we actually shot the film, so everyone could get to know each other since no-one knew each other. At that moment, having these ten people minus two I’ve already knew, giving me the respect that they would give the mainstream Director or content creator was mind-blowing. All I can think about is, its early 2018 and I just got here on August 1st, 2017. (Proposal Gone Wrong) It was so good we had to do a part 2! both are on my YouTube channel “DeVvibez.” Two months later, one of my good friend (@Christrendin) on Instagram), who I had put in my short film “proposal went wrong,” called me late a night about a director of a stage play called “Stronger In Broken Places” looking for an actor to play a specific role.

At the time, the only thing I have under my belt is a couple of shows I’ve been on as an extra and background actor and being an actor on my short film (Proposal Gone Wrong) parts 1 and 2. Although I was nervous and to be honestly scared of the fact I felt I haven’t did enough yet, I still emailed her that night. She emailed me back that next morning, telling me that we will have a table read in a couple of days. I went in to read for one part as a funny security guard until I overheard someone reading for another part I felt would be perfect for me. I said to the Director,” I like the security guard role, but the role as “Thirsty” is me!” So basically, I had to fight for that part by reading it. I read it one time and my Director, Renee Strong of (Stronger in Broken Places) quickly, gave it to me. I have rewarded the role! But even though I had the role, I wanted to show my Director I was serious, so I booked myself at a comedy club in downtown Atlanta called “Laughing Skull” and invited my Director.

I never in my life been on stage where it was just me, let alone telling jokes and keeping complete strangers attention for more than 5 minutes. It seemed like it was 30 minutes on stage, I was nervous and I freestyled. But God had to be on my side because they loved me, including my new Director. She thought I did the best. With that being said July 19th, 2018, I Devon Thomas became an actor, starring in my first Stage play as one of the lead actors (Thirsty). My family and friends came, and I did great in front of more than 800 people as my acting debut. I went on to do the theatrical stage play two more times in 2019. But I wasn’t finish there. The year now is January of 2019, and I’m asking myself, “What’s next.” I came up with another short-film idea called “Be There for Me,” where I wrote and directed it. This time I wanted a more different approach. My go-to usually is a comedy, but I wanted to try drama. I couldn’t leave comedy all the way out so I included myself in my film as the comedy relief.

This time around, I didn’t wants to make a good film and just put it on YouTube for free. I felt and still feel my short film needs to be seen by someone that could either help me with my future of now being a director and content creator. I signed a one-year deal called X.O.D (Xperience on Demand), which is 2020 I’m no longer apart of, but learned a lot from the business aspect. I came up with a plan that I wanted to attack, which will also require a great deal of patience. I decided to start school at Clayton State University in the fall of 2020. Yes, 2018 taught me so much. I ran into so many roadblocks, but I also met some of the dopest, creative, ambitious people in the world that inspired me to go harder and never give up. Right now, I’m a full-time college student, my major is Theatre and I’m a non-traditional freshman at the age 0f 27 and I’m proud of that. My saying I love to say, that will stick with me forever is, “You can’t have fear AND faith… you got to choose one. And I chose Faith.

Has it been a smooth road?
No, it has not been smooth. I lost three cars, three jobs, old friends, my great-grandma, money opportunities, my ex-girlfriend I cared about and loved. With me attacking the career I love and can see myself doing for life, it comes with a great deal of stress. A lot of your loved ones that’s used to you being one way usually can’t understand or see at the time what you are trying to accomplish and trying to go. They don’t know how much you want it. They don’t know how much you want it for them. They don’t understand the mental and physical abuse you go through by fighting and doing something you love and different. I have the time and opportunity. Why not sacrifice if you really want it?

GoodvibezProduction – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
My business name is “Goodvibez production.” I called it Goodvibez because that’s what I love to be around. When coming up with an idea, it’s based on good vibes. When I bring people around, I want goodvibez. No one wants to be around or let alone act in a hostile environment. I have been on professional sets and other friends and coworkers sets. I feel what separates Goodvibez from others is how comfortable I want people to be. I feel that everyone acts best when they feel the best. I love to sit back and watch everybody laughing and conversing with one another. I feel I accomplished something in life. That’s how you come up with the best results.

Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Yes! Atlanta is the best city for business. Especially in the film industry. It’s the new Hollywood, I would say. I’m big on networking and being the best version of you. Since I’ve been here, I have been nothing but myself, and I have run into some of the most purest people out there. Ask questions. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. If you care about what you do and really love it, don’t count your accolades, don’t even count your failures. just move forward. if you fall do it again or attack it in another way.

Contact Info:

• Address: 5809 N Lake Dr. Morrow, GA 30260
• Phone: 9122486652
• Email: Thomasdevon35@gmail.com
• Instagram: @DeVvibez
• Facebook: Devon Devon

Image Credit:
@Toralaifilms
@Christrendin

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