An Exclusive Interview With Daevion Markell Smith – Passion And Love For Arts
Daevion Markell Smith is an awarded mime artist, actor, writer, and mentor. Early in life, his mother quickly saw his accelerated growth and love for the arts. Daevion was born in Southern Virginia on September 28, 2001. At the age of four (4), this aspiration led him to mime ministry at his home church, City of Refuge Kingdom Church. Upon graduating high school, Daevion was accepted into the American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA) in New York. He continues to mime for charities, non-profit organizations, conferences, workshops, and much more. Daevion has received an award for his mime presentation at the National Association for the Study and Performance of African American Music (NASPAAM). He has also appeared alongside the illustrious motivational speaker, Elijah Coles Brown, in the theatrical production of "Freedom Day", written and directed by Crystal Nolan; based on the Fredrick Douglas speech, "The Present and Future of the Colored People of America". In 2022, Daevion appeared in season 1 of the YouTube series, "The Bro Code'' – alongside, Lance Everett, Ryan Williams, Tyrell Morris, and Adam Lee Henderson. The Bro Code Series, is a series highlighting Black Christian men, engaging in relevant, relatable, and genuine conversations about real-life situations that men face everyday. Daevion has released the following official mime videos: "A Move of God is on the Way'', by Norman Hutchins and "Moving Forward", by Mali Music. These videos are available on his YouTube Channel. Soon after the mime videos were released, he was cast as Melvin Weathers on TV One's true crime series, "Payback", which aired August 08, 2022.
Daevion Smith, Actor, Mime Artist, Creative Director
Introduce yourself! Please tell us about you and your life, so we can get to know you better. (Feel free to share your hobbies, your passions, your family life, your pets and anything that makes you unique.) Everyone usually takes interest in what I do in my free time; but, after revealing my inner stillness they are always shocked. My name is Daevion Smith, and I am a mime artist, actor, writer, and studio president of DMS Studios. The ministry of mime has been my passion since I was in first grade, which gives me about a 14-year relationship with the craft. What is your business name and how do you help your clients? DMS Studios is a production company operating as a subsidiary division of For Your Creation Graphic Art Design LLC. Our mission is to transform the expectation of a production by providing quality work & ethic. We give our stories a clear voice that seamlessly integrates throughout the company. The platform includes shorts, feature films, tv, and documentaries. What kind of audience do you target your business towards? Our target audience are those of a minority background. At DMS Studios we view all stories as valuable and necessary, especially from disadvantaged communities. There has been a surplus of diversity in film and tv, with black women spearheading this renaissance. That’s why we decided to partner with a black female writer for our first scripted content. What are your current goals for your business? We are currently in pre-production of Yahweh’s Children. “YC” is a project co-executive produced by a writer and friend, Ashyna Robsinson. The pilot centers around an HBCU which is facing a scandal, financial crisis, and demonic oppression. Production is scheduled to begin in 2023 and we are currently casting. Due to current contract agreements, I can not currently speak about any distribution What would you like to achieve for yourself and your business in the future? In the future, our business hopes to grow film and tv production in the 7 cities of Hampton Roads for minority communities. We hope to offer opportunities and networking services for creators and other innovators alike with special events, collaborations, and narrative projects. What is your work inspired by?
I am inspired by the many artists and filmmakers who have embraced this craft passionately. There is power in passion, it produces the ability to withstand rejection and failure. From Spike Lee, Tony Singletary, Norman Lear, Tyler Perry, Eric Monte, Ava Duvernay, Phylicia Rashad,
Ryan Coogler, Kenya Barris, Debbie Allen, Lena Waithe, Jordan Peele, Lee Daniels… I couldn’t stop if I tried. May God bless all my inspirations and what they’ve done for the arts.
Tell us about your greatest career achievement so far.
One of my greatest achievements in my mime ministry was opening for John P. Kee. John P Kee has been active for more than 20 years in the gospel industry. He is primarily known for mixing traditional gospel with modern contemporary gospel. Kee is also known as "The Prince of Gospel Music”.
If you could change one thing about your industry, what would it be and why?
If I could change one thing about the film and tv industry it would be the perception of success. The success level is based on our own judgments, making it impossible to accurately measure what is a good project and bad one. These metrics are what culminates in the views of success which is unreliable. The industry’s priority for success should be the ability to produce content relatable to all communities and consumers, withstanding financial and viewership criteria.
Tell us about a pivotal moment in your life that brought you to where you are today.
The passing of my step father was a pivotal moment in my life that provided me ultimate confusion. He was a huge support system and pushed me to great opportunities and heights. He is truly missed. After his death, I felt pushed to go after the things he had believed I could do. There are moments when people can push you unknowingly, and give you the extra favor you need to reach your desires and destiny.
