Today we’d like to introduce you to Derett Boyd Jr
Hi Derett, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
For a long time, I was obsessed with science, so much so that I wanted to be a surgeon when I grew up, but somewhere along the way in middle school, everything changed when I discovered my love for writing and television and began penning my own scripts (not industry standard of course). Still, I didn’t know that writing TV was what I wanted to do until I got to high school. I was watching some of my favorite shows at the time (Charmed, Once Upon a Time, Atlanta, etc.) and I was thinking of different plot lines and what I would do differently, so I decided that screenwriting is what I wanted to do and I looked into it on an even deeper level, not knowing that I could make a career out of it.
From then on, I went to Youtube University, and learned everything about the basics of screenwriting–from format to software to everything in between–and started coming up with ideas I didn’t realize I had within me and then I saw the throughline: I’m writing about the people I never saw growing up—black and queer characters. On television, you see maybe one, two, or sometimes no queer characters, let alone Black queer characters, so I decided to write my own.
It wasn’t until I picked my alma mater, Clark Atlanta University, that I found the people and connections that I needed to make my dreams a reality. From there, life came at me quickly going from photography to short films and more. Then COVID shut the world down and made me focus on my writing since I got too busy with school to write anything I resonated with, and in that same year (2020) I conceived my true passion project, Does That Make Sense? which has changed my life, and will go on to change the lives of many more, in addition to my other side hobbies and projects (songwriting, photography, etc.).
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Absolutely not. Being an independent filmmaker, creative, writer, etc., takes a lot of out you. However, I wouldn’t change any of it. I try not to live my life with regrets because regardless of the choices I’ve made, it has all led me to this point and now I’m in a space where I’m thriving and things are only looking upward and onward from here.
There’s been plenty of struggles along the way from coming out at a young age, to not going to my dream school (or so I thought), COVID, my own self-doubt and imposter syndrome, and more. However, for most of these things, I had to learn that if I want this dream then I’ll do it in my own time, in my own way, no matter how long it takes me. I control my destiny, and once I learned to take the reigns, life became infinitely better.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m an independent filmmaker, screenwriter, PR professional, songwriter, photographer, and more. The list goes on, and as I continue to grow, I know this list will do just that. I’ll be releasing my first dramedy pilot “Does That Make Sense?”, coming out in Spring 2025. Additionally, I just launched my production company, DBOYD MEDIA, where you can go to get all your production needs met from pre-production through post-production. Let’s work!
“Does That Make Sense?” is a dramedy that follows two Black male best friends on opposite sides of the sexuality spectrum as they navigate the ups and downs of life from career, love, and everything in between all while balancing their friendship despite the world’s perception – and their perception of it.
People might know me for helping co-write Rainstorm by up-and-coming singer-songwriter, Michael-Anthony, and doing the album cover for Juliyahamal’s debut EP, The Untold Tales of a Gemini. If they didn’t know me before, they’ll know once they read this, so go check out both projects!
I’m most proud of everything I do, it’s hard to pinpoint one thing right now because I’ve done so much within my career in PR, photography, songwriting, and filmmaking. That said, I’m most proud of my pilot and doing what I need to do to make it happen. Being an independent filmmaker comes with a lot of challenges, but it’s all worth it when you see the final project.
I don’t know that I’m any different than any other creative actively pursuing their dream. What I will say is that I’m championing the future of television and cinema by telling authentic, diverse, and original stories that Hollywood has been missing for quite some time. I have a plan for myself when it comes to what Hollywood will show of Black and queer people so to reiterate – stay tuned!
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
You can work with me on any projects you have coming up that you want me to help produce or write. Connect with me through my website (dboydmedia.com) or through Instagram (@derett.gemini or @dboydmedia).
I’ll be looking for more writers for my show pretty soon as we’re expanding past a pilot and making the entire first season, so I’d love to find writers in Atlanta looking for an opportunity, so please come my way. Stay on the lookout for the official call for writers, but until then feel free to reach out to me through Instagram.
You can support me and the show by watching and reposting the show or donating to our Kickstarter and/or GoFundMe (once it’s live), to help us make more episodes of the show–funding an independent project is EXPENSIVE! Support local artists, creators, creatives, and anyone else pursuing their dreams.
Pricing:
- Reach out to me and we can work together on a price that makes sense for your budget.
Contact Info:
- dboydmedia.com
- https://www.instagram.com/
derett.gemini/ - https://www.instagram.com/
dboydmedia - https://www.instagram.com/
dtmsseries
Image Credits
- Poster by: Saudia Furcron
- Both Photos by: Jazz Cummings
- Creative Director: Triniti Simmons
