The Road Less Traveled

More like, the road not paved, covered in overgrown forestry. This has been, and remains to be my personal experience as my career in audio post begins to slowly take on a life of its own. I often tell my wife how tired I am of being a trailblazer 'for my people' or the ONLY black man to own an operate a remote audio post facility--that I know of, specializing in film scoring, re-recording mixing, sound design and anything you can imagine related to the sonic arts for motion picture, television, interactive media, audiobooks, podcasts and more.

Before the pandemic, it was emotionally exhausting to attend conventions (remember those?) and see absolutely no one who remotely looked like me. Handing out my business cards was always an awkward crapshoot, as I either came across as cocky (my over-compensating attempts to show that I belonged), or super passive (when I realized that I truly didn't belong but was determined to 'network' and stick around though I knew I was wasting my time).

Every now and again, I'd meet a brother, but those interactions rarely panned out how I envisioned them while rehearsing my approach in my head. I was often met with skepticism or indifference (sometimes both mashed together) and my daydream of two unicorns hitting it off quickly transformed to daymares. Eventually, I'd mirror that same energy in future interactions because subconsciously I gave up and believed that it would always be this way: Rejection from the white male dominated audio post world, and ostracized by the very few people of color who I assumed I could relate to. If 'woe is me' was a person....

I'll spare you my experiences as the only black intern at the then biggest post house on the east coast. What I will say is I promised myself on my worst day there, that I'd start my own company and begin the arduous work of undoing a non-diverse industry construct designed to cater to a seemingly 'white boys only' club. I vowed that when it was my turn to lead, I would do so on the basis of diversity and not simply for diversity's sake. Meritocracy, inclusion and education would be my lead-ins, amidst leaving a huge space for conversation; another aspect that was glaringly absent during my tour as an intern.

You may have been swinging around a figurative machete, clearing away overgrowth and debris as you forge a solitary and unclear path towards your dream career, and eventually your purpose. It may be difficult and often feel like you're escaping from a prison of obscurity with nothing but a stainless steel spoon. I would advise that you press forward, even in the face of sullen indifference from those that dominate this industry. And look around you! This pandemic has leveled the playing field, creating pockets of great opportunity that escape the once wide gaze of the gatekeepers. Know that you're not alone, and if you haven't given up yet, you've been unknowingly drafted into a digital content revolution the likes of which the entertainment industry has never seen.

Your dream matters, but you can't see it realized into reality if you spend as much mental, spiritual and emotional currency lamenting about how difficult your path to greatness is. I can tell you from experience that it's an over-priced investment with negative returns. If a spoon is all you've got to dig yourself out of the black hole of a seemingly massive racial or gender divide, sharpen that spoon and get to work! Once you're out, you may be not be welcome to use the neatly paved roads with clear signs to success as those who's faces adorn the entertainment career magazines or receive accolades for the work they've done. Don't focus on awards and pretentious interviews. Your job is the clear your own path. Whip out that machete and get to clearing!

And if you missed the key concept from both those figurative examples, consistency is king (or queen, depending on your perspective)! Slow and steady is a real concept. Just ask Warren Buffet! I still get messages from family members, friends and former colleagues who are pleasantly surprised when they check up on me or my work and see that I'm still expanding and not at the same place they last encountered me (financially, spiritually and emotionally). Some reach out with ill-intent, hoping that I've since given up and opt for a life of misery like them. Without a commitment to consistency, this would be a very different article--if there would even be an article at all.

Beware of how you spend your 'persistent' currency, and recognize those situations and people who would not serve your vision for your career and ultimately, your purpose! If Such & Such Post is hiring, do yourself a favor and research everything you can about them while or before you enter the interview process. Don't be dazzled by their awards or million dollar projects and client-base. How aware are they of the community their facility is nestled in? What are their morals and values? What's their credo? How human are their 'human resources'? Are they committed to furthering the art-form and the work? More importantly, how would you mesh with said company? Will you have to compromise your values?

I don't know all the answers and can only speak from my unique perspective and vantage point, hoping that I was able to share some valuable insight that you can take and directly apply to your career journey. In fact, reminding yourself that it's a journey can be helpful when you focus on the journey and avoid the illusion that is a destination. I don't know what your 'road less traveled' looks like, but I do know that it's very possible to find success taking alternative routes.

Re-routing......