Film Courage: You talked about reprogramming yourself and that that old person was essentially gone and there was a new person with new thoughts. Is this common for people, especially filmmakers and artists?
Antoine Allen, Filmmaker: No, because most artists and people in general, we doubt ourselves. We all are our own worst enemy. We are in our own way. I was that person. I was in my own way. I doubted myself, insecure, depressed because of my life but then I realized that Antoine, you are enough, start reprogramming yourself. Looking at other people like the Tyler Perry, the reason I keep bringing that name up, Tyler Perry, 50 Cent and the Jay-Z’s, even Steve Jobs, they did it, they bet on themselves. All I need to see is one person do it and then I’m good. Once you’ve got your doubt and yourself out of the way, you’ve got to realize that no one is promised tomorrow. If you are having doubts or insecurities, you’re not the only one. But don’t let that stop you from going after your dreams in life. No matter what it is, if you want to be the best barber, hairstylist, designer, whatever it is you want to do, just try something, fall in love with something. I remember when I was young, I’d do anything for a girl. I’d go crazy. I’d go to another state. Fall in love with something. Once you fall in love with something, it’s a beautiful thing but that’s going to be there but do baby steps. That’s what I did. I did the power yes, the things that I would never do, I started doing it. A lot of people just call me an introvert because I used to stay to myself but I realized that Antoine, you’ve got to be your own cheerleader. You’ve got to speak for yourself, you’ve got to talk about yourself. How do you expect someone to invest in you? You want to invest in yourself…(Watch the video interview on Youtube here).
About Antoine:
Award-winning filmmaker Antoine Allen had dreams like any other kid growing up, and it was those same dreams that allowed him to break through every obstacle in his path. Despite growing up poor in Jamaica, Queens, Allen was already rich with potential. Refusing to let this define his future, he moved forward with a passion, drive, and tireless dedication that has now become synonymous with the Antoine Allen brand.
Allen began his career in the music industry, successfully managing hip-hop artists for many years. During that time, he had several experiences that opened his eyes to the fact that he had more to offer. It was at this time that the phrase “dream big or don’t dream at all” really hit hard.
Forgoing the traditional film school route, he began educating himself on all creative, technical, and business aspects of the process and never looked back. Allen transformed himself into a successful writer, director, filmmaker and producer. He sold his first screenplay,
No Where Land an animated feature film in 2008. As an award-winning director, Allen has gone on to be involved in a variety of film and music video projects.
In the summer of 2010, Allen made his directorial debut with Split Decision a narrative short film exploring love, rejection and motivation, which he also wrote and produced. He took promotions into his own hands, launching a highly successful social media campaign. The trailer alone received over twenty-one thousand views on YouTube and countless ‘Likes’ on Facebook, all culminating in the Split Decision world premiere. The opening screening in New York City sold out. This should have come as no surprise since Allen sold out a premiere to a 3-minute music video that he had previously directed. On a personal level, the film allowed him to draw from his own experiences of beating the odds when life got tough, and was an experience that brought Allen full circle.
His most recent project, a full-length feature film Life Is Too Short (2015) premiered to another crop of sold out audiences and has been honored with multiple awards and film festivals selections.
Aside from pursuing his creative projects, Allen has devoted a great deal of his time inspiring, mentoring and giving back to his community by helping young entrepreneurs and artists achieve the bigger dreams that they have for themselves. This is a reflection of the extent and impact that one person can have within their surroundings.
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