As a trained musician, actor, director and producer, Mr. Deforest Mapp has managed to enhance his professional entertainment career by reinventing himself and creating solid common relationship that offers a mutual benefit for all parties involved.
As I embraced his words, I could not help but to think, Deforest is completely confidence of his ability of creating value in art. Deforest has learned a long time ago that studios treat art solely as a commodity for marketing and promotion. His value as an actor is determined on the previous ticket sales of his last film. However, he as a person loves to be in front of the camera and could not relate to the ideal of someone else deciding his future in acting. Consumed with auditions and perfecting his craft, someone adviced him to seek directing and producing. Shortly after receiving this advice he enrolled in film director and producer boot camp. His dilemma, is which to chose, so he embraced mutual benefit.
Deforest ideal was to brand himself as a triple threat entertainer that works in front and behind the scenes. Triple threat may sound peculiar but very necessary to continue this path called art. In 2003, Warner Brothers Studios contracted Deforest for various projects as a producer. Arraying himself with the skills that would grab the attention of investors, Deforest casted, directed and produced short films, reality television and feature films that made investors pleased with there mutual arrangement.
He continued to share his wisdom of black Hollywood and the best way to keep oneself relevant and attractive to investors that are prepared to offer agreements that make both sides happy. He smiled at the ideal of both sides making money and generating a mutual benefit. After all it’s about making money first and art second. The exception to the rule is becoming your own executive producer or investor. The moral of the story, keep you relevant by being skillfully versatile in the world of entertainment.
