Today we’d like to introduce you to Evans Biney Jr.
So, before we jump into specific questions about your work, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
It’s kinda weird. I was always into graphics and editing as a kid but never thought that I would actually grow to make it my profession. When I got to middle school is when I really had access to a good computer. I had a computer at home but it wasn’t as good so I was in able to download and use certain software‘s so I would use the school computers to mess around every day before school started in the library. at that time in my life, there were so many things that I wanted to do. I was teaching myself how to play various instruments because, at the time, I wanted to be a musical artist also as well as an astronaut, an engineer/scientist like jimmy neutron, and a million other things like every other kid.
So, like I was saying, when I got to middle school is when I really got a chance to get my hands on the school and equip and really have fun with it. I was good at all the electives but media/graphics just naturally came the easiest. Throughout my school years, I stayed rooted in the best media programs my school had to offer and even got a chance to compete in regional and state competitions by the time I was in high school (Wylie east high school, Wylie, TX). Still, even at this point, I didn’t really realize that I was actually going to make a career out of this. I tried every form of media… from rapping and dropping songs and getting laughed at by my peers to being an anchor live on my entire school’s news platform. I even got into making short films with Ayo (another member of the elevated collective) and submitting them to festivals to compete against other schools.
I had done all those things but what I hadn’t really attempted was my own music video. Until one day Gustavo (T.Gallardo of the elevated collective in Dallas) asked me to shoot a music video for Him, Samsonite, and Leroy. This was October 2013, the beginning of all our senior year of HS. Since I was the only student in the most advanced course the school had ever had, I was given access to the most expensive camera equipment on campus and allowed to take it off the premises.
None of us knew what we were doing at all but that is what led me to where I’m at today. Six years later and I’m still making videos for the same team plus way more clients around the metroplex and US. As far as my photography and Graphics side, those skills grew as I got more in touch with my creative side. Now I offer all these creative services under one creative house called Varsity Visuals.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
The road was far from smooth and still is but things became smoother in a sense because mentally I finally reached a point where I truly understood that the struggle part of all this is inevitable. The struggle is how you learn and basically become accustomed to speed bumps that will come your way. I once heard Will Smith speak on failure and how in fact its what’s best for gaining experience about life and through life.
I had a lot of struggle from financially struggling in college, to dropping out and trying to figure out a way to make everything work behind my parents back to confronting them and dealing with the repercussions. I will say though that I wouldn’t take a single bit of it back. I needed it to prove to myself that I really wanted this. I took a lot of risks and made a lot of sacrifices but its slowly paying off and most importantly I’ve never been happier in my life.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Varsity Visuals – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
My production company/creative platform is called Varsity Visuals. I’m the owner and currently the only full-time employee under the company. I have several part-time helping hands that I outsource when necessary but other than that I am mainly a one-man mobile production freelance company. I specialize in graphic content and photography with an emphasis on videography and special effects.
What im most proud of is what I’ve been able to accomplish by myself, and I’m very excited to see where my company will be and what we will be creating when its a full production house and not just me.
What sets me apart is the unorthodox style I would say. I like to really leave my mark on my work and do what I like and what I feel makes me proud of my work. I like to keep it fun so thats more of the style that I go with. My style can be something very laid back or something aesthetically intricate; just depends how im feeling.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
That is one thing that I haven’t quite mapped out yet. I have a rough idea of where I want to go but because I’m not exactly sure how to get there, I just keep creating in the meantime. As I’ve been creating and growing as an artist, things have started to fall into place. I don’t necessarily always try to make certain blessings come my way or force them my way, I keep the work first and the blessings follow.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: instagram.com/VarsityVisuals
- Twitter: twitter.com/VarsityVisuals
- Other: youtube.com/VarsityVisuals
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.
