Today we’d like to introduce you to Ori Evans.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
While growing up, Apple was the leader of innovation and meeting all the needs of its audience. As Steve Jobs inspired an entire nation to see the value in minimalism, I was taking it all in.
During the peak of Apple’s innovation cycle in the early 2010s, I was living in Downtown L.A. where EVERYONE had iPhones, Macs, and iPods shuffles. I owned an iPod shuffle. I loaded it with artists who are far from the sound I enjoy now… so I won’t name them out of embarrassment, but one thing that always struck me was the beautiful aluminum of the iPod. So simple, but beautiful & functional. This was Steve’s vision. A leader who saw the human experience for what it was. And therefore, saw exactly what we needed and how to achieve that as close as he could in reality. My first occurrence with what Plato calls: Theory of Forms. His argument that non-physical forms/ideas represent the most accurate reality. Only certain people can see these different “True Forms”. (See: Allegory of the Cave) When we lost Steve Jobs, we lost one of those people that could.
That same time in L.A., the film ‘Inception’ was being shot on my street in downtown. It was directed by my soon-to-be favorite director, Christopher Nolan. The train scene was being created right outside my window… I was even told by a person on a megaphone on the ground (probably the AD) to get out of the shot. If you take a look at that scene in ‘Inception,’ you can see how epic it was. For a 13-year-old kid from Oak Cliff: holy crap this is insane, this is what it takes to make a film! I mean just the sheer production was massive! A huge undertaking. It was like… MAGIC. My second occurrence with True Form: I was experiencing the creation of an emotional event that looked to achieve a change in people… a story. The most efficient way to reach a person. Stories to me were the True Form of communication.
If you’re reading this and haven’t seen Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, stop reading and go watch it now. Then try and interpret how you feel. This is the power of stories. Of cinema!
I’ll tie this up quickly with what happened after my time in Los Angeles. I soon applied to a boarding school called Phillips Exeter Academy in New Hampshire. At the time, it was the #1 private high school in America.
I didn’t believe Duncanville high school would get me into the college I wanted to go to. I Googled ‘best high schools in America’ and soon found out that boarding schools were it. I looked into everything by myself and did the paperwork. Many people think they’re like prisons, but in reality, most of them are just like college, but we can’t legally do the things we do anyway, haha. You’re surrounded by people just like yourself who are driven to be the best they can be. I wanted to be like Steve, or rather the idea of him. And beyond all my belief, I got in. My third encounter with True Form: I wanted to be someone I’d never met before. Someone I only had a shape of in my mind. It wasn’t a reality until I made it happen.
The function and search of True Form for me, is to find consensus among us all. There is only one objective reality, but by way of aesthetics and beauty, I look to bring the subjective experience to this state, at least for a moment. To foster a deeper connection to what we all seek. No, not happiness, that’s not a constant state. I’m talking about joy, to experience whatever delights your soul actively. And I aim to achieve this through The OME Network. Telling and sharing beautiful stories with the intention of making people feel real. That what they feel is only as abstract as they let it be. Your soul can be a tangible moment within you at all times.
Create what without you, wouldn’t have been created.
Whatever idea you emit with your being, I believe edges us closer to True Form. Your True Form.
It is what I call ‘The Art of Expression’.
Lastly, in the context of where I’m from, it’s more like learning to pick a paintbrush or book, instead of a gun.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
This is a simple question for me.
Yes.
Life is black and white for me, except love. That idea is a gray area for me.
Sure, I’ve had to do things I didn’t want to do and there were times I’ve questioned what I was doing.
But for me, at the end of the day, there’s nothing else I’d rather be doing. Maybe except making music.
I look at it like this. My body is a sim, like from the game. If I set up all the process right beforehand, then my sim will get to work on time, eat well, and foster fulfilling relationships.
If I truly know my vision, and I set it up so I’m not building a castle in the sky, then I have nothing to worry about.
Things just kinda take care of themselves that way. You wouldn’t believe the random things that just happen to me and I was ready for them, good or bad.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about The OME Network – what should we know?
The OME Network is a streaming network. We have just started on a two-year launch plan. We are producing three different shows for our initial launch and then will grow from there. Roughly 16 episodes total that we are producing in house. We’ve already started production on two and it’s looking pretty great.
Productions Below
(Our Last Night Showrunner: Ori Evans – an anthology show about what people would their last night on Earth, Black Mirror meets High Maintenance, haha.)
(Can It Be Simple Showrunner: William Zamaripa, Natan Makonnen
– “C.I.B.S. is a grounded coming of age series that takes place in high school, 2013.
This series will give the audience a realistic look into the modern highschool culture.
The series will follow the protagonist and his first experiences with true friendships, love, and the ups and downs that come with it.”)
(Untitled Third Series Showrunner: Luis Kier)
Think Adult Swim, but the direction of the Network stems from our mantra: Create what without you, wouldn’t have been created. So, we are a bit more aspirational but in a visual sense. We have this SUPER unique artist who makes these really awesome animations. Derek Zheng (@derekzheng_). Met him in high school when he came back for his first reunion. Check him out, seriously.
I’m personally known for a vintage film, coming-of-age, slice-of-life vibe. This will extend over the Network as we build the brand. But the world consists of a perpetual sunset (our logo) and sunrise. To signify that we are always in flux, but the beauty of the transition is worth it. That growth leads to fulfillment, to joy.
As I said before, Love is a big gray area for me, and I think the curiosity of that leads to my affection for beauty, closeness, and collaboration. This will be the core of the Network.
If people have ideas for shows or media they’d like to share, I’m all game. The end goal is to have this a 24/7 steaming network with non-stop content daily. Right now, our initial plan is a loop, but as we grow, more and more slots can be filled. We have many ideas brewing.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
My parents and grandparents of course for letting me literally do what I want, not knowing I’d turn into this, haha. They supported me at all times.
My film teacher at school: Mr. Richards. – Literally dropped a camera worth thousands, that I thought I’d never see in person, right in my lap. I went on to help teach the film class while I was at the school, he really believed in me.
Mrs. Chapman – my advisor at school. Like a mother away from home, she and I talked a lot. She was a comforting and caring figure in my life. The warmth I needed while away from Texas.
Pretty much the people of Phillips Exeter Academy and all the Uber drivers I met. I can’t list off the number of people who’ve told me that I’m going to be someone. I’m quite grateful to have received, and continue to receive, positive support from so many people.
My host families in Japan, and George in Japan! The guy took me with a group of other Japanese artists to the countryside of Japan. He was my basketball coach there, as well as the Art Director of the area I lived in: Kichijoji. I was 17 and created a video that was shown the city right after I left back to the states. I found myself in Japan, the best place for foreign artists in my opinion.
Jeremiah Sabado and Jordan Fountain are definitely a big part of making this Network happen! Their production skills allow trust between us all for a smooth set. They’re wonderful people.
I could go on forever, but I’ve received a lot of positive energy from the world, and I’m ready to give it back ten-fold.
Contact Info:
- Email: newowlcoo@gmail.com
- Instagram: ori.matisse
Image Credit:
Luis Kier, Jeremiah Sabado, Ori Evans
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