Today we’d like to introduce you to Dani Hall.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I discovered my love for creative writing as a child growing up in Northern California. I was a really shy kid. Writing, for me, became an outlet. A place to explore my imagination and create new and profound characters and worlds that I didn’t really get to see on the screen growing up.
After graduating high school, I didn’t really know what I wanted to do next. So, I joined the military. Luckily, my experience in the Army was what gave me the confidence and drive to go to film school. I studied filmmaking at Art Institute – Sacramento. There, I was able hone in my skills as a screenwriter, filmmaker, and photographer. Shortly after Art Institute, I relocated to Dallas, TX to be closer to family.
Starting over in a new state had its challenges but after some time working odd jobs to get by, I began a career in finance as a way to fund my creative projects. The experience working in finance definitely helped me understand the ins and outs of film budgeting a bit better.
Since moving to Dallas, I’ve connected with a number of talented creators and filmmakers including my film partner Ron Clemons, who has been a gem. I’ve had the pleasure of writing and producing (B.A.N.E., The Unseen, Remember Tomorrow) several award-winning short films. My hope for the future is to keep building on the work that I’ve done and to continue to tell unique and compelling stories about the lives of Black Americans from all backgrounds.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
I think, like most creatives, my challenge has always been balancing my art with the basic need to survive. There have been many detours in my journey that have caused me to question myself and what it is that I truly desire. But, in the end, the road always leads back to my creative space and being able to share my art and vision with the public. I’m a firm believer that a whatever I say I’m going to do will be done and somehow, it always seems to work out. I’ve been really blessed in that way.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a filmmaker and photographer. In my career as a filmmaker, I’ve worked as a Screenwriter, Producer, Director, and Cinematographer. Over the past few years, I’ve found a restored love of photography. I have an affinity for black-and-white architectural and street photography, which is what the bulk of my photography work consists of. I’m working on two new film projects this year, a psychological thriller (The Invasion) that I co-wrote and a sci-fi thriller titled Mama Getta that I wrote. I’m extremely excited to bring them both to life.
Do you have any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
My favorite childhood memory is winning a district-wide competition to create a newspaper ad for a local furniture store. Out of hundreds of kids that submitted their work, my idea was selected. It was a drawing of different furniture pieces in discussion about the type of homes they wanted to be sold to. I credit the win and concept to my interest in short stories at the time and being able to tell a story in as few words as possible.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @followduwrite/@duwrite_only
- Twitter: daniduwrite
Image Credits
Dani Hall
