Today we’d like to introduce you to Eli Adé.
Eli, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I started by walking into WCTV Tallahassee in 2005. I asked for a job, I had no experience but I told the station manager I would work for a dollar a year. I was thanked and escorted out the building. Two months later I was called and told my interview was unforgettable, I was hired. I moved to Atlanta shortly after, I was introduced to a few people in town by a close friend J Mills, his introductions led to me being Idris Elba’s videographer, I eventually segued to photography, and through a friend Ron Reaco Lee I ended up in the International Cinematographer’s Guild Local 600 as a Unit Stills Photographer.
Has it been a smooth road?
Not smooth at all, but my love for my art has pushed, rolled, shoved, and dragged me through the darkest and lowest points. There’s a feeling inside that won’t extinguish, it’s really hard to explain, much like your heart you’ve never seen it but you feel it you know it’s there and you trust it to keep beating. I’ve driven to gigs out of town and slept in my car or an office just to do the job even though the production thought I was in a hotel somewhere.
Have you ever wanted to stop doing what you do and just start over?
Yes I’ve wanted to quit, yes it’s been difficult, and at times it’s even hurt. Getting calls for jobs and not getting them, getting jobs and not getting called back for follow up opportunities, hell not getting gigs at all. It’s hard being a creative and earning a living you have months that you may not receive a job, in those times you look around for what you can sell and then the lightbulb goes off and you remember you’re an artist and your talent is sellable. Long story short there’s a lot of internal pep talks.
What would you tell someone who is just starting out?
Find a “rabbi” a mentor someone who will teach you and vouch for you. Mine is a guy named Daniel McFadden, he and I met on a set I jokingly said “you stole my job” because although I was a photographer, he had been hired to shoot the movie while I was hired to work in the production office. We became fast friends and I learned quickly that I actually wasn’t as ready as I thought I was. This brings me to my next point be humble, be teachable, do a lot of listening if you’re able to do these things people will do the talking for you.
What are you most excited about these days?
Growth through my journey I’m allowing myself to feel it all, the good, bad, pains, and joys. I’m directing my first feature film this year “Symphony of Her” I can’t begin to express the anticipation of day one.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.eyeofeli.com
- Email: eli@eyeofeli.com
- Instagram: eli_joshua
