Today we’d like to introduce you to Reneé Thompson.
Reneé, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
I started writing at an early age, I think I was around 12 or so. It started as a love, but then transcended into a release. I loved writing stories, loved going to movies. Eventually I put two and two together and realized that I could have my stories reach more people if I got them on the movie screen. From there I continued to write until I got my first camera in the 9th grade and from there I began to develop my eye a bit—running around school filming people. Once I left the University of Kansas after being red-shirted and quit my basketball team at the community college, I went to work at State Farm and raised enough money to get a car and get my first camera. From there I began to shoot a few music videos for a local artist, then went to the University of North Texas to learn more about filmmaking.
Honestly, I couldn’t make it to film class on time and at the end of the semester I was hired to go to Las Vegas to shoot for Lil Chuckee of YMCMB at the time. The week that I spent there really changed my life looking back at it now. It showed me that it was possible to live your life doing what you wanted and/or what you loved. From there I linked with another artist that had a little buzz in Dallas and developed a really strong friendship, he showed me around the Dallas music scene and from there I was able to network, develop my style while shooting collaborative music videos with him, and then after about a year of working with him my work further developed and my brand grew to where I was being recognized nationally and was flying out to various states to shoot with various artists. I even shot with Ben McLemore in the very beginning, and Daniel “Booby” Gibson, and Lil Flip. Now I’ve been shooting music videos for artists around the country for about five years and am starting to get looks from industry level artists–even gaining the attention of AplusFilmz. I have a couple of collaborations with other major artists in the works, however due to confidentiality and the nature of the projects I can’t disclose them. But I’m also at the place now where I’m making a push into the film industry. Not really interested in music videos anymore because I find myself constantly limited when it comes to creativity. Basically, getting back to the child me which loved writing and loved telling stories.
We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
I like my art to connect to people. I think if it doesn’t charge a certain emotion then its falling flat and it’s not something that people can use. I want people to be able to gain something from my art, a new perspective, a new sense of themselves. The how would be through abstract writing and abstract visual play. I want my writing to cause the viewer or reader to have to follow the story, think, question, etc. I like to create things that aren’t typical, aren’t expected, something you just haven’t seen before or a story you haven’t read or known before. The “why” is because I think it’s incredibly essential and imperative that people question everything–think. I think it brings people together in a way. I just want people to think.
Do current events, local or global, affect your work and what you are focused on?
I think artist’s role is more important than ever. I know that I myself have relied on artists here recently to reawaken my soul from a yearlong depressive bout. And now that I’m healthy again, and I understand mental illness now on a personal level, I find it incredibly important as an artist myself to walk within my purpose to help others discover their purpose as well. Local, national, and international events and issues affect my art a lot. Because I like to commentate on events and dissect it probably to a fault. And events and issues such as these are what fuels my art.
Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
People can view my work on my website at reneethompson.co and they can also follow me on Instagram at @reneethompson.co They can also view the trailer for my newest film project currently in production at aenl.co/seven
Contact Info:
- Website: reneethompson.co
- Email: contact@reneethompson.co
- Instagram: @reneethompson.co
- Twitter: @reneethompsonco
Image Credit:
Reneé Thompson
Getting in touch: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
