Meet Jonathan-Aubrie Lewis | Filmmaker, Writer, Motivational Speaker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jonathan-Aubrie Lewis and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jonathan-Aubrie, what do you attribute your success to?
I think for me, it’s my positive attitude toward service of my community, cast, crew and ultimately the audience. I’m a director / writer and I think at times there can be a stigma attached to what it means to be a “director.” It’s such a loaded word. In its purest form, it means: A person who supervises the actors, camera crew, and other staff for a movie, play, television program, or similar production. However, I think some folks conflate the true meaning, with words like, tyrant, ego, and erratic behavior. Etc.

For years, I struggled with wondering if I had a place in the entertainment industry, simply because I knew that I had a calmer demeanor than most of my directing colleagues and just overall, had a different communication style. A more uplifting communication style. At times it felt like, if I wasn’t more abrasive, or self centered that I couldn’t make it in this industry. In fact, I actually had people who insinuated and flat out told me that my leadership style wouldn’t work and that I should find another career in film.

But I kept at it, knowing that indeed, I did have a different communication style and approach to filmmaking and that was just fine. Servitude, through one’s work, was always a resounding theme in my family. I remember my dad saying, “True success was the gratification you receive after serving your community.” I didn’t quite understand that as a child. How could serving others through my work equate to success? As I’ve matured, I realize the truth in his words and actions.

So to me, success is service. Communal service. And to me, that’s real power. Because I carry these truths with me, I see my life and career as very successful.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My art is very connected to me as a person, in that most of the things I’ve made are loosely based on myself, or people near and dear to my heart. Because of this, I have ran away from my art (work) in the past in an effort to not feel the emotions that usually rise to the top while doing my work. At one point, it got so bad that I really questioned if I could survive as a director/ writer in Hollywood. The childhood pain was deep and at times it felt like I was sacrificing my own mental health in the process.

It wasn’t until mentioning the above to my therapist that I got a deeper revelation that would set me the course that I’m on now. She listened to all of my grievances and gently reminded me that even after going through all the emotions that rise to the top while working on my art, I’m still alive. I came out on the other side of it. That little nugget really set me free, because what she was saying was that the emotions around the art didn’t kill me, even though at times I thought it would – metaphorically speaking. What she helped me realize is that fear and panic were a throughline in my life and that the emotions around my art were like headlights on a dark road showing me what I need to work on. With this revelation, I started to see my emotions as my friends instead of something that was bad. She encouraged me not to quit and instead offered to walk me through the tough feelings after work sessions and also taught me how to work through those emotions when she was not around. This is something that I feel a lot of artists struggle with, especially, artists who are Black.

Black Male Mental Health is at the center of a lot of my work. My last film, “Sojourn,” (Vimeo Staff Pick, currently on Amazon Prime & premiered at the Smithsonian) is an intimate exploration of Black male identity. Sojourn is firmly set in two worlds: a hypnotic magical realism world, and a prismatic, pastel interior world that represents the protagonist’s emotional and subconscious voice. Through poetic voice over and vivid visuals, Sojourn explores the multidimensionality of Black Men and implores us to look within.

And the journey continues. I am fundraising on Kickstarter for my next film. WE ARE THE BEAT: AN ODYSSEY HOME is an Afrofuturism dance film that follows a young Black aspiring planetary scientist named Daniel as he discovers his birthright, intrinsic value, and how to transcend earthly death by tapping into pulsating dance. He shape-shifts and transports to distant galaxies, illuminating the pathway for Black boys and men to understand and nurture their mental health.

I think what separates my work from others are a few things: I’m a very visual director and I create in-depth landscapes and dreamscapes for my protagonists to play in. Speaking of “play,” I havent lost my sense of childlike reckless abandonment. I also have a childlike faith and optimism. Critics call it naivety, but I embrace my naivety. It led me to doors that were virtually impossible to open, yet, because I had enough nerve and “naivety,” to go up and ask, I got what I needed.

I think the way I think separates me from other people. I’m an empath and even though I’ve never been tested, I’m sure I’m dyslexic. Dyslexic folks are very creative and “ think outside the box.” So I embrace it. Who wants to think like everyone else anyway? Seems lame to me. I’m a very nuanced thinker and once again, my thinking outside the box has really got me on the other side of doors.

Lastly, I’m very purpose driven. I believe I was put here to make a difference. To make a change.

To folks reading this I’ll leave you with this: Embrace who you are no matter what. It’s a reason you are the way you are. Find out why. Use your “shortcomings,” as tools to make you stand out and connect with likeminded folks. Love ALL of yourself, even the areas you’ve tried to suppress. That deep pain you’re burying could be the very thing that becomes your platform to help folks out and ultimately you.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I’m from Altadena California. It’s a small mountain city near LA. It’s magical. We’d go to Highlight Coffee on Lincoln ave. They have great pour overs, pastries and the people are really nice as well. Then we’d make our way up to Mildred Campground for some really cool hiking in the mountains. There’s a really nice waterfall at the end. Then after we’ve worked up an appetite we’d go to The Little Red Hen for some amazing southern breakfast. This place has been around for about 50 years and is Black owned. My mom used to eat there when she was a kid. It’s an Altadena stape! You have to try the pancakes and shrimp and grits! Chefs kiss! 🙂

Then we would walk next door and visit my dad at his church. He’s always working there and I always like to stop by if I’m in the area!

Then we’d head on over to Octavia’s Bookshelf on Hill! It’s the first Black woman owned bookstore in altadena! It’s such a gem!

Then we’d head over to the Pasadena Farmers market to walk off our brunch and pick up a couple of oranges, cause why not?

Then go back home to my house and watch movies and catch up! Maybe order a late night ice cream cone from Coco Bella down the street.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would say that my family, close friends and my spirituality have all contributed to my success.

My parents have been my rock. They truly have allowed and encouraged me to be an artist. They’ve told me to follow my dreams and to follow the road less traveled. My journey with film started when I was about 11 when my dad caught me playing with his camera and instead of telling me to put it down, he showed me how to work it and allowed me to make little films. My first film was a horror film. They’ve also been very accommodating on my healing journey in that, when I need to chat with my parents after a therapy session about a childhood wound they might have contributed to, they are usually very receptive and hear me out. My sister has also been such a beaming light of encouragement as well.

My close friends: Terrance Wilson, Terrance Daye, Khalid Livingston, Trey De La Rosa and several others, always have kind encouraging words and also remind me who I am when I feel down. I can just let my hair down with them. I feel safe with them. They really are good folks! Salt of the earth type of folks.

Finally, my faith in God has been my anchor when family and friends don’t always have the words. I’m a very spiritual person so faith is everything to me. Oftentimes, I wonder how people get through life without tapping into faith. It really is the cornerstone of my life. I’ve been through some very close calls in my life and I know my prayers were answered. Drake said it best: “ Someone up there is looking out for me.”

Website: https://jonathanaubrielewis.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonathanaubrielewis/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JonAubrieLewis

Other: WE ARE THE BEAT KICKSTARTER –https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/223839728/we-are-the-beat SOJOURN ( 13 MIN) https://vimeo.com/347965035?share=copy

Image Credits
Ali Ivosevich Noah Griffin Domo Jones