Filmmaker of the Week – Al-jalil Williams
Episode 50 of Filmmaker of the Week featuring Al-jalil Williams!
Give us a brief introduction of yourself, where you’re from originally and where you are now if different
I’m Al-jalil Williams Born Dec 21, 1985 in Newark NJ. And I still live in NJ.
What is it that first got you into the world of filmmaking?
My uncle Jermaine Hopkins who played in the films Lean on Me with Morgan Freeman and Juice with Tupac got me interested in acting and film.
Share a little bit about your specialty in the film world
At 8 I knew I wanted to be on tv and film. Mainly in acting, but the older I got, I started writing and directing. And telling real-life situations are my specialty.
What has been your most challenging project to date?
The most challenging to date has been a film called “ The Word”. In short, it’s about Eric (black friend) who is in a situation to sell his rights to say the n word to Ryan (White friend) . The short is about how it would change both of their lives.
Tell us a bit about your latest project.
The project I’m working on now is call So, What Now? It’s about two couples one married and one not having a deep discussion about abortion. Who’s right and who’s wrong. Without giving too much away.
What is one moment you’ve had in any part of the filmmaking process where you learned a really valuable lesson?
I learned you have to pick the right people for the job. And trustworthy people. I gave a deposit to one person a week before shooting and they blocked me and disappeared.
What are some of the 5-year goals for you as a filmmaker/creative?
Well to finally be hired as talent and being paid as opposed to having to pay for everything and putting it all together on my own. Also being successful while doing it.
If you could work with one idol of yours, who would it be?
Will Smith
Name three films that have inspired you most in your journey.
Paid in Full. Any Given Sunday. Black Panther.
Where can folks find out more about you online?
On Instagram @Aljalilw on Twitter @Aljalil on YouTube YouTube.com/HandsomeDadFilms
Any last thoughts or pieces of advice to filmmakers out there?
Well advice if you’re still young and you have understanding parents ask them if you can have a year or two to fully commit to pursuing this. If they agree no matter what you want to do if it’s write or produce or Act or direct DO IT. Don’t let time pass by. Don’t make the same mistakes i did. Granted i had a daughter a year after graduating high school so i had to work. But with technology the way it is get a cheap cam and laptop that can edit decent and work. There’s so many free resources and lessons online. And if u gonna go to film school NETWORK. That’s the main point. Learn and NETWORK NETWORK NETWORK.
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