Today we’d like to introduce you to Ramon Lyons.
Hi Ramon, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I’m a creative born and raised in Orlando. I grew up on the west side, mostly in the Pine Hills/Ocoee/Winter Garden area and can credit that to my distinct taste when it comes to creating. Like most of my peers, I was into sports, and as I grew older I turned to football as my main athletic outlet. I went to Georgetown University in Washington DC and graduated with a major in Anthropology and during my last semester of undergrad, I decided that I wanted to get into Film and Media. Following graduation, I founded my multidisciplinary production house Bread and Circuz, which specializes in highlighting underrepresented communities through paramount storytelling. Also, for the past two years, I’ve been producing a documentary series exploring the multiplex identity of the Black student-athlete, using my alma mater’s University football program as the subject matter to speak to that larger topic. I hope to use my platform to highlight the city of Orlando and bring more attention to the wonderful subculture we have here.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It’s been a learning experience to say the least. Once I decided that I was going to self-produce this documentary without having any formal film training. I knew I was in for a daunting task, but my will to see this vision come to life superseded any hesitation I had. I had to sleep on endless couches, call hundreds of people for funding, and actually learn how to make a movie all while I am filming this project. There have been countless times that I questioned my reasoning for doing this projects and every time, I get some type of reassurance that what I’m doing is right. From producer, cinematographer, director, writer I have worked in every role imaginable trying to get this project completed, more than what any school could possibly have taught me. Nevertheless, I believe that by taking on such a big project as my introduction in this profession, it has instilled in me the necessary skills and confidence to accomplish any task I take on moving forward.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am the founder and CEO of Bread and Circuz Company, a multidisciplinary production house specializing in all things creative. We have produced shows such as BAC Room, a live music video performance series as well as 5 part documentary series titled HOYA BOYZ, scheduled to release this upcoming Fall. I believe what sets me apart from other creatives is my diverse background that I believes helps influence my particular perspective when creating things. Not only do I direct and produce but I also make clothing as well, and have made clothes for a number of schools in the DC area. I don’t discriminate when it comes to the medium of creativity, I look at them all the same. They’re only different pallets in which I can tell my story through, and I plan on using a lot of them when making my future projects. As it stands right now, I believe I am most proud of making HOYA BOYZ. The project was extremely difficult and required so much of myself that I believe I am a better man for completing it. I think this will be one of those projects were in 20 years, I can look back and say I am proud of what I was able to accomplish.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
I first like to thank my parents, brother and sister in their constant support of my creative journey and allowing me to achieve my dreams to the fullest extent. Barrinton Baynes and Sylvia Onder were two faculty members at Georgetown who has been a blessing to me with providing me with knowledge and support from being an undergrad to now in my early years of being a professional. Furthermore, the endless amounts of friends and relatives that has poured into me and offered a lending hand when I needed it, the amount of support has been endless and has carried me when I wasn’t able to stand on my own.
Contact Info:
- Email: ramon.lyons3@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ramon.lyons/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ramon.lyons
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/Ram0n_3
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCs7ZjjU6JIX0VJViLH4xOCg
