Today we’d like to introduce you to Dejay McNeil
Hi DeJay, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I am a US Marine Veteran who started out doing music. I recorded and managed other artist and attended Full Sail University in 2017 for an Audio Production Certificate, then coming to the campus to attain a bachelor’s of science for Recording Arts. In Orlando, I gained local attention with music, however the passion for storytelling came from the first music video that I directed and edited. I gained more attention and became proficient enough to buy a Nikon D3400 and shoot a web series named “Scammer”. After the success, I urged for more storytelling and to be able to make movies. I earned another degree from Full Sail University, this time for MFA Film Production program in 2022.Now I run a production company for films, videos and commercials and everything Entertainment. I worked with plenty of local music artist, actors and directors, as well as for stars such as the rapper Fetty Wap and the WWE superstars Trick Williams and Carmelo Hayes.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The road was very long and the end of the road is no where in sight. Growing up i faced homelessness and moving from one family member to another. Even after the military, I experienced financial issues that resulted in my car being towed and falling into debt. All of my money was going into my music and all the marketing that I was doing not only for myself but for other artists like myself. From paying for airbnbs and cameramen, studio time, beats, sections at clubs and performing, I started to fall behind on bills and the things that are more important to me. Even when I started filming, I didn’t have the capital to finish my first feature film. I had to cancel it and all the work that everyone did was thrown out the window. I moved to Florida myself after the military. I moved my mom and sister in with me for awhile and helped my mom get back on her feet, but every since I moved to Florida in 2018, I’ve really been on my own, no team, no real friends, just a young man with a dream and the will to make it happen.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I work in entertainment, provided interviews for other creatives, music videos, web series, short films and feature films. I am most proud of my work in music and the storytelling of my web series that consist of music videos that are connected together like a tv show. I eventually want to open a space to help other creatives grow and I believe what sets me apart is being on the other side as a creative. I know what most creatives want. They don’t want to perform in an empty room or on front of nothing but other artists for nothing. They pay the promoter and the promoter pays the owner, but the artist get nothing but stage practice or if it is prizes it is usually rigged by the person who brings the most people and popularity gets praised over actual talent. I plan to give the artist more. A chance to perform and also get a video of the performance, to get interviews at the show, a chance for pictures on the red carpet and free music videos and studio time. Things that artist can use to take their career further . I grew tired of the wheel of paying promoters and owners to virtually get nothing I can use for the future. You only need so much stage practice. It is the same for filmmakers, I want to help people be able to finance their films and have a production team that will help them through the process so like me they don’t try to do everything themselves.
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
Determination. Life will knock you down several times, seems like an almost endless cycle and just when you think everything is great, life happens. I’ve learned to just keep getting up, no sense in worrying and stressing because it won’t help at all. The only thing you can do is get up or stay down. I never stay down.
Pricing:
- Music Videos- $350/ 4 hours
- Short Film Pre Production- $500
- Feature Film Pre Production- $1000
- Commercials- $450/flat
- Interviews – $150/ hour
Contact Info:
- Website: https://kingdee-ent.live
- Instagram: https://Instagram.com/official_kingdee
- Youtube: https://YouTube.com/KingDeeEnt
Image Credits
KD Visuals
Scot Lerner
James Pinard
Tracy McNeil
USMC
