Shadae Lamar Smith on the Journey From Acting to Directing and Working With will.i.am

Creative Space with Jennifer Logue

On today’s episode of Creative Space, we have the absolute pleasure of chatting with Shadae Lamar Smith, an old friend of mine who is doing incredible work in film.
As Creative Director for the Grammy Award winning artist and entrepreneur, will.i.am, Shadae has directed a number of music videos and branded spots, including his music video for “FIYAH.” He also directed the short film “Miss Famous,” starring Kristen Wiig and Jimmy Kimmel, which screened at a number of festivals. Shadae’s upcoming feature film, Throw it Back is currently in development.
On the podcast, we talk about the importance of exploring things you’re passionate about, not letting ego get in the way of opportunity, and so much more.
For more on Shadae, visit: shadaelamarsmith.com.
To sign up for the weekly Creative Space newsletter, visit: eepurl.com/h8SJ9b.
To become a patron of the Creative Space Podcast, visit: https://bit.ly/3ECD2Kr.
SHOW NOTES:
0:00—Introduction

0:58—How we met

2:43—Shadae’s early life

5:13—Don’t let your training limit you

8:40—Transitioning from acting to directing

14:30—Shadae’s definition of creativity

18:24—How creativity comes into play as a director

23:34—A day in the life of Shadae

27:18—Staying motivated

32:13—From receptionist to creative director

34:32—The importance of lowering the ego

37:30—The director should be the strongest collaborator

39:08—Shadae’s favorite directors

41:44—Working with will.i.am

43:43—Working with Kristen Wiig and Jimmy Kimmel

46:30—Best practices for bringing a writer’s vision to life

48:16—’Throw it Back’

49:30—The future of the film industry

53:02—Advice for aspiring directors

अध्यायों

1. Introduction (00:00:00)

2. Introduction (00:00:58)

3. Shadae’s early life (00:02:43)

4. Don’t let your training limit you (00:05:13)

5. Transitioning from acting to directing (00:08:40)

6. Shadae’s definition of creativity (00:14:30)

7. How creativity comes into play as a director (00:18:24)

8. A day in the life of Shadae (00:23:34)

9. Staying motivated (00:27:18)

10. From receptionist to creative director (00:32:13)

11. The importance of lowering the ego (00:34:32)

12. The director should be the strongest collaborator (00:37:30)

13. Shadae’s favorite directors (00:39:08)

14. Working with will.i.am (00:41:44)

15. Working with Kristen Wiig and Jimmy Kimmel (00:43:43)

16. Best practices for bringing a writer’s vision to life (00:46:30)

17. ’Throw it Back’ (00:48:16)

18. The future of the film industry (00:49:30)

19. Advice for aspiring directors (00:53:02)