Donta Storey: "This was something I felt I had to do - it's my story"
credit: Josh CoenCLAPPER: You grew up in Compton, California, which has a reputation for being a rough ride, how much do you think your setting has influenced your creativity?
Donta Storey: I think it influenced my creativity in a major way, as I find inspiration in people. You're right, Compton has a reputation, but I don't think enough of what's great that comes from Compton is talked about. I learned a lot of lessons in the growing up there, and I'm grateful for the influence my people and experience have on some of the stuff I create.
From an early age was it clear you wanted to be a performer and creator of art?
Yea, I knew I wanted to make movies at a very young age. I was always into the behind the scenes portions on the VHS tapes or DVDs. I really wanted to understand all of the necessary contributors of filmmaking. As a kid, I was really into old Hollywood and learning about the studio system. I still kind of have a love for the golden age of film. I remember I wrote my first film as a kid, it was called 'SLASH'. It was a hybrid of Scream and I know what you did last summer, and I remember forcing my siblings and friends to play the roles in the film. I can't count how many family camcorders I've broken trying to make movies as a younger person.
LiME is clearly an incredibly personal story, when did you decide that you wanted to write but also direct this short film?
I decided I wanted to direct the film after I wrote it. I didn't think it was something I wanted to lend to another storyteller. There are projects I've written that I can't wait to pass along, but this was something I felt I had to do- it's my story. I had to have my hands in every aspect of telling my story.
For most of your career you have been in front the camera, how did the experience of being behind the camera in your short directorial debut live up to expectations?
I went in thinking it would be a handful, and it was! It was a very stressful, exciting and rewarding experience. As an actor, there's gratification in pouring all you have into a character, and that's all you can control really, but as a Director, you're in charge of how this thing turns out. Of course, you collaborate with an editor and DP and an entire crew, but in the end, it falls on you. So I went in keeping them in mind and making sure I trusted my gut when it came to what I wanted.
As a young, non-binary person of colour in the film, how hard has it been conquering such a difficult industry in the last few years?
I think this the entertainment industry is changing. It's a slow change, but inclusion is becoming the norm. I think for me, its been a learning experience. I've met some amazing people, and I've had some amazing opportunities, but all of that comes with regrets and let downs too. For me, I'm learning to simply be myself. I can only be me and I can only bring what I can bring to the table, and I'm comfortable in that. When you embrace your strengths, doors open - people seem to really be attracted to that.
How does LIME represent where you are in terms of your life and your career?
I think LiME represents optimism and truth. Sharing that story was really cathartic for me, and I publicly faced things that I wasn't really comfortable with prior to filming the movie, and that changed me. Making this film changed me, personally and professionally. LiME is also about overcoming adversity, and this is what we all have to do every single day in this business and in our lives.
Culture and family is a clear personal element to your films, will you continue to explore similar themes to LiME in future and how important is it to express these themes in your creativity?
Yeah, I think making good movies really begins with the story and the script. When you tell stories about people there's just something truly beautiful about it because people can relate. We all know heartache, loss and love, and it's easy to tap into that because it's real. There’s so much beauty in community, culture and family and I absolutely want to continue to explore those themes.
How quickly did you settle on Urian Ross to play the role of yourself in Lime? Was it a difficult process? Were you ever tempted to play the part?
Deshawn was the last role we cast, and that's because I was very protective of the character. There's so much of me on the page, but when I met Urian via his audition tape I was able to see a different version of who Deshawn is. I was able to finally disassociate myself from the character enough to see what someone else could do to bring him to life. Urian does such a good job at bringing a heaviness to the character and I'm so happy to have met him and happy he agreed to lend his talent to LiME. Allana Barton and Urian both carry this short on their backs with the support of an amazing supporting cast, that I am happy to say I never considered being apart of. I knew my creativity was required in a different space for this to work.
What has the response been to LiME within the industry?
It's been really good. I mean, we've screened at over a dozen festivals, we're on a few streaming services and I get messages all the time from people who stumbled across our little nugget of a film. I'm so happy people connect to the film. When you can find an audience, that's when you know you've done your job.
If you could speak to your younger self what advice would you give them now?
I would just hug myself and tell them that it does get better. I would tell them to trust themselves more and to be nicer to themselves. I would let them know they're worthy of existing.
Do you have projects on the horizon, what does the future hold for Donta Storey?
My next short is actually a dark comedy with horror elements, so I'll be lending my hand to the campy side of the horror genre. I'm also working on my first feature film. Writing has been my get by during this quarantine. I can't wait to get back to working with amazing creatives.
LiME will be released on 5/21/20 via urbanflixtv.com and is currently playing via Amazon Prime Video. Read CLAPPER’s review.