Canvas Rebel: Meet Stefon Whitaker
Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Stefon Whitaker. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Stefon , thanks for joining us today. Owning a business isn’t always glamorous and so most business owners we’ve connected with have shared that on tough days they sometimes wonder what it would have been like to have just had a regular job instead of all the responsibility of running a business. Have you ever felt that way?
I’m definitely happier as a business owner but I believe i’ll find fulfillment once more opportunities and accolades get created with my company.
Recently this year, I have had the thought of “what if I just worked an Amazon driving job?” or the thought of working a factory job back in my hometown in Indiana.
These thoughts have came from numerous shortcomings this year, within the film industry (writer’s strike, tech company layoffs, etc.) and with SW Films.
What has kept me going is the overall bigger picture of my company, my career and my life. It makes me throw those thoughts out of my head and out of my path so I can continue to focus and create accurately on the goals I’ve placed for myself at the top.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I got into the film industry through a lot of dreaming, networking, hard work and a little bit of nepotism. I created my production company, SW Films in 2017 and have been slowly growing my business each year with some major projects and updates.
Outside of creating narrative films to impact audiences on various platforms, my company and I serve to create “Cinematic Excellence” for businesses, brands, artists, etc. We help increase & accelerate profit growth, marketability, visibility and reach for our clients who wish to create commercials, documentaries, promotional videos, social media clips and more visual content.
What sets SW Films apart from other companies is the variety of productions we embark on, the energy that I encompass and the fun, creative and safe experience I bring the cast, crew, investors and others into on set.
I am most proud of the great relationships I have been able to build as well as the educational aspect that has played into some of the productions I’ve held, with interns, production assistants and first time actors.
The main thing I wish for everyone to know about my business, is perfectly summed up in my slogan: “Every Vision Is Made With Cinematic Excellence”.
How do you keep your team’s morale high?
When I go into productions that I run with SW Films, I first just take a moment to breath and thank God that I’m able to put on another production. That is what I always (try) to do first.
Leadership can be tough, especially if you’re prone to any sort of public embarrassment or shame but I’ve learned to realize that any mistake you make with your cast/crew/team, you just have to look at it as not just a lesson for you but for the team, in ways they can lead in their departments or personal journeys as well.
I never stress myself out or let anyone else stress me out when things are going wrong. I can remember 2 instances on 2 productions that I directed that could’ve been stress inducing and taken my morale all the way down.
First came from the production of my short film, Sweet Mirage. First day of shooting, most of my cast and crew was going to be late because of crazy traffic and at the time, the George Floyd Protests. Even with this news, I didn’t flinch at it or worry. I kept calm and somehow knew things were going to get done. My main actress in the film had wondered why I wasn’t phased. I would say it was because not only was I directing this film but I was also acting in it too. Those nerves would’ve hurt my performance.
Second time was on commercial for an on-demand moving company called Cartt. The CMO was pretty high strung and very worried when things kept going wrong with booking actors, props, locations, picture cars and a bunch of other stuff. My crew felt this pressure too but it was my job to keep everyone calm and continue the production swiftly but safely, even when we had to pivot.
Of course, I’m human. So things definitely have affected and had me second guessing on set but I just take a moment to speak quickly with myself in the moment, maybe let out a cuss word or two or vent to someone I’m close with on set but I don’t let those things stick for too long. You have to get comfortable in the mud and find the footing to get out.
My sole advice for managing a team, is don’t be afraid to mess up. Speak up and allow your voice to be heard and be open to a word from your colleagues. And my advice for maintaining high morale is be a freak of nature. Sounds funny, I know but it’s true. Turn emotions off. Keep your passion, integrity and poise high to finish your job and lead everyone to the finish line.
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
As I’ve grown in my career, the one thing that has boosted my reputation with SW Films, freelance film industry and in personal life has definitely been the energy I hold and the resume I’ve created.
I’ve had the amazing pleasure to work on huge feature films such as Matrix Resurrections, Shang-Chi & the legend of the Ten Rings and Venom 2. TV series such as Blindspotting, This is Us, I’m A Virgo and Ted. On commercials for major companies such as Apple, Google, Uber, Facebook, Buffalo Wild Wings and Salesforce. And with a slew of celebrities like Steph Curry, Marshawn Lynch, Klay Thompson, Kendrick Lamar, Big Sean and much more.
With the energy I’ve put into this work thus far in this industry, it has helped be able to grow my business and allow me more opportunities that I plan to take advantage of in the future.
