Atlanta-based film director, Des Gray has dominated the entertainment industry with her creativity and lens. Gray is the leading Haitian-American female visual content creator for film, music video, and television projects. Des Gray started her journey working at BET Network and then launched her female-led productions company, Foreign Made Films. Des has worked with some of industries hottest artists, such as Mulatto, Future, Young Jeezy, Chris Brown, and many more.
Des Gray sat down with FEMI Magazine to discuss maintaining respect in a male-dominated industry, what takes place behind the lens, and future moves.
What has this journey in the industry taught you the most about yourself?
This journey in the industry has taught me so much about myself, especially to never let up. At the end of the day, you must negotiate what you want because you always get what you want based on what you negotiate. The industry has also taught me that when it comes to business, there is no such thing as friends in the business. Everything is business. For instance, some of the clients you work with will try to be your friend because they want something at the end of the day. However, to win in this industry, you have to come into it knowing that these people are not my friends, these clients are not my friends, and I’m going to get exactly what I negotiate.
What goes behind the creativity of producing videos for chart-topping artists?
God! I am a child of God who is here for Him and to create the vision He gives me. I get a different feeling with every song that I listen to. I love all artists, but now I only want to create videos that speak to my soul and allow me to connect more deeply with who I am and my ancestors and make a difference in this culture. I do not want to be a part of the problem. Instead, I want to make a difference. So when creating for chart-topping artists, regardless of whether the song doesn’t match the video, I always ask God to open my mind and allow it to go wherever He wants it to go. This is how I am able to create.
How do you maintain respect in a male-dominated entertainment industry?
My clients will respect me regardless because I am here to provide a service to them and nothing else. For me to give them the best for this service, they have to give me the tools I need to be great. The minute I feel like I am being disrespected or taken advantage of, I ask myself two questions, “Des, is this worth it? And “What are you gaining from this?” Because it is more important to have peace of mind and have your higher vibration self being aligned. Most importantly, God is going to make a way. If I am not supposed to work with a particular client, God will remove them, and whoever I am supposed to work with will respect me because the vibration will be so high that I will not get frustrated or stressed. So creators, if you feel in your gut and spirit that this situation is not right, nine out of ten, it is not right. Walk away! Because every opportunity and every dollar is not meant for you, and it’s okay.
What was it like producing with Yandy Smith-Harris?
Yandy is a beautiful soul, and she’s my sister, who I appreciate so much! Working with Yandy Smith-Harris, I am learning a lot from her. She’s able to teach me about the entertainment industry because she’s been in it for a long time. Yandy is a busy woman, so I appreciate every time she answers the phone and her teaching me the right way to do a film budget and how to approach individuals when I network. I appreciate all of this because while working in this male-dominated industry, you also have to worry about women who do not want to uplift one another. Because it’s so hard for women to work in this industry, when women see another woman that is strong and powerful like them, instead of uplighting and bringing up that woman, they will try to tear her down and keep her low because overall, it is already hard for women to enter the entertainment industry. So I am giving Yandy Smith-Harris all the flowers because I appreciate her for having my back.
What upcoming projects do you have?
The short film “Mixed Girl” that our team just won the Best Social Impact Award for at the Los Angeles Women’s Film Festival. I am extremely grateful for this because it is all about making a social difference in this culture. The next project I am working on is “Dope Boy,” so keep your eyes out for that. I am also working on an animation that I am shopping. Right now, I’m just going into that space. I’m writing and preparing to travel to Haiti soon, where I will shoot another movie. I cannot wait to do that.
How can our readers keep up with you online?
You only have one shot with me, follow me on Instagram and all my social assets at @TheDesGray.
As her career continues to soar to unimaginable heights, Des Gray leans on her faith as continued motivation to tell stories that influence and educate others to be and do better. Her brilliant works manifest the visions she foresaw in her youth while walking barefoot through impoverished areas of Haiti. She states,” Nothing I’m going through in my life right now is worse than what I went through as a child. God has big plans for me – I have to be focused to get there.”
Website: https://www.foreignmadefilms.com/copy-of-about
YouTube: https://youtube.com/c/DesGray
