Meet Derrick Mullen: Filmmaker & Cinematographer | Producer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Derrick Mullen and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Derrick, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
Being my Authentic Self. In my line of business I feel it’s important to make sure that you are doing things because you want to. You could try to do what’s popular for the likes, shares and followers but if you take a look at the bigger picture, being trendy doesn’t pay bills. You must operate in purpose and with intentionality. Also, make sure you have all of your business affairs in order. Licenses, insurance etc. You want to make sure you are ready to take on bigger clients that are looking to make sure you have the right credentials in place.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I started out being a creative. I would do some photography as a side hustle as I continued to navigate through the art of filmmaking. This new found independence led me to creating and producing a web series on Youtube called “Chefn In Atlanta” as well as many bookings from Wedding film making to commercial work and political ads but I am most proud of the work we have done with our most recent faith based film: “A NEW HUSBAND FOR CHRISTMAS” We were able to have the film made available on worldwide streaming platforms such as Amazon Prime and Tubi Tv. This film has been life changing, thought provoking and a spiritual experience. This film has received well over 400 hundred reviews on Amazon with a 4.5 out of 5 star rating. None of this has been easy. I could have stayed in my comfy corporate job and worked my 9-5 but the path of least resistance was never a goal of mine. I have always wanted to own my own business and create a path of freedom. So I chose to take the red pill. The challenges that came with that was starting over financially, broken relationships, and a lot of what I call Learn as you Earn and delayed gratification. I also learned that you have to surround yourself with people who want the same things that you want and never be afraid to fail. I heard a quote that says ” Fail Fast and Fail Often” I want people to know that Mullen Group Productions is here to be a light in a dark place. We want to bring a message of hope and joy through our film making and though the people and clients that we work with.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Well if you have never been to Atlanta here is just a weeks worth of sites and my favorite eats to introduce you. We have a scenic green space like Piedmont Park, unique entertainment venues like the Fox Theatre. Of course you can’t come to the Black Mecca and not visit Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthplace off Auburn Ave. and then we would continue our visit in the 4th ward district and get some eats at my favorite spots, Two Urban Licks, Krog street or visit Ponce City Market for more sights and eats. (I must say Busy Bee’s is a go to soul food joint and it is fire) Take a quick trip to Buckhead for some shopping at some plush boutiques but if plush is not your thing, we can hit up Atlantic Station for visit credit and if you like sports, we can focus on sights like the College Football Hall of Fame and Centennial Olympic Park as well as the Mercedes Benz Stadium. Meanwhile, we can schedule a trip to the Georgia Aquarium and World of Coca-Cola.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Wow, there are so many people that has played a part to get me to where I am today, friends that saw my gift and vision. Family, who have encouraged me as well as my church family who has allowed me to use my gift to enhanced their media presence but I will speak to the current situation and that’s a shoutout to my friend and business partner Kyria Williams for becoming what God called her to do and that was to write. Through her writing we have been able to produce two Independent Films. We have really worked well alongside each other since 2015.

Image Credits
Shalese Johnson Toran Price Derrick Mullen -Mullen Group Productions