-Who is Wes Davis?
Hello! My name is Wes Davis.
I am a Musician, Producer, Artist, Actor, Writer, Multimedia Developer… and now I’m a Filmmaker.
I am an Artistic Entrepreneur.
I enjoy the big things and little things in life. With my work, the projects vary so much. I get to express myself in each project, which I love.
I feel fortunate in my life. I constantly remind myself that I’m very fortunate and that many people are not.
At age 12, I took my sister’s guitar and taught myself how to play.
When I was 15, I started trying to produce music, which was a lot of fun. I was always interested in learning new things.
I started my first company when I was 19, which failed horribly. It was a great learning experience. I believe it’s healthy to fail before we succeed. This is how we learn.
I started working in the film industry when I was 21. I tried some acting, then worked on some indie film sets running sound. Then I went into film and event marketing. I became the youngest board member on the Board of Directors for the Oklahoma Film Society.
After that, I worked producing music for artists and record labels. I decided to learn digital marketing and multimedia design.
Several years later, I decided that with my experience and skillset that it was time to put it all together and make a film.
I have to say, I’m enjoying the journey. I enjoy every bit of it. The good, the bad, the highs, the lows, the pleasures, and the pains.
I love struggle, learning, and new experience.
-What inspired you to become a filmmaker?
I always wanted to be a Filmmaker. I made films when I was young. I remember trying to use a VCR to edit tapes together using the “pause” and “record” buttons when I was a kid.
As I got older, I never stopped making little films. I didn’t know or worry about the technicals. Such as lighting, stops, exposure, depth of field… any of that stuff. But I was a kid. I would hand-write screenplays.
Sometimes, my friends and I would take trips and I would bring my little Sony Handycam. I would document our trip, then later make a little documentary.
However, if I had to pick one thing that inspired me the most to become a filmmaker, it would be this…
The challenge of being a filmmaker. To me, filmmaking is the ultimate artistic challenge. You know, they say most films never get finished. This is because it is such a challenge. It is a combination of every art. It’s photography, painting with light, music, sound design, photography, editing, visual effects, set design…
Filmmaking is the pinnacle art. It is the combination of all the arts into one project.
-Do you think Cinema can bring change to society?
I believe that Cinema has brought change to the world since its conception. For the last 100 years, Cinema has been a primary, global platform for communication, messaging, and even propaganda.
Cinema has not only changed society, but it has been purposefully used to change society. During times of war, governments around the world would weaponize cinema to psychologically get their people to believe in their war.
Conversely, many artists, filmmakers, and philanthropists use cinema to convey messages of peace, or to address issues in society such as hate or social injustice.
Knowing this, I have hope that in the future, humankind will act responsibly and use Cinema for good in the world. Whether it be for messaging, or just entertaining.
-What would you change in the world?
This is such a difficult question, mostly because the world needs so much change.
If I could change anything in the world, there would definitely be a pretty lengthy list. I won’t go into here.
The world needs more love and less hate. We all need to understand we are connected. Human greed is a serious problem. We shouldn’t live in a world where a handful of people get control of all the resources, and children die of starvation.
My film addresses some issues regarding mental health and gun violence. In a very indirect, between-the-lines kind of way. These are global issues that need more attention for sure.
Then, of course, there are social injustices, all sorts of discrimination, violence, war, poverty, global destruction… all very important issues.
I think I will leave it at that. Some of these issues can be a Trigger for some, including myself. I don’t want to be too controversial.
Since I’m an American filmmaker, I live here in the United States. However, in the area I live, it can be dangerous to talk about some of these issues openly. At least at this current point in history.
-Where do you see the film industry going in the next 100 years?
I hope the film industry is going somewhere good. Right now, I feel like it is. I’m just hoping that it’s not going in the direction of “Watch on your phone… by yourself…” or “Wear a VR headset…” I know there will be some of that. But nothing beats going to a Cinema, or Theater, with friends and loved ones to watch films on the big screen.
Honestly, I’ve noticed that a lot of the trending pop culture, music, and entertainment industry are going retro. Vinyl is back. Nostalgia is doing extremely well right now.
No matter where technology takes us, people will always love the look of natural light, the cinematic look, and watching films on a big screen with loved ones.
