We had the good fortune of connecting with Andre Wynter and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Andre, what do you attribute your success to?
One of the most important factors behind my success is my unconventional journey toward my current career. My family, education, jobs, mistakes, and failures have all culminated to account for my success. As a film producer, your role is to be a creative problem solver. I was able to stand out amongst my peers early on due to my ability to balance the left and right sides of the brain. I was raised by an accountant and a business consultant that chose to introduce me to the arts from a young age. I did my undergrad degree in Biology in hopes of being a doctor, which helped me with an analytic instinct. I have a diploma in law which allowed me to negotiate and write my own contracts. I gathered several skills throughout my life that gave me an advantage as a business creative.
Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am a filmmaker that tells underrepresented stories. I enjoy giving a voice to the voiceless. I’m proud of the twenty-plus film festival awards I’ve won but I’m even more of the impact my projects have left. I enjoy hearing how relatable my characters are or how they experienced the same thing and thought they were alone.
The journey is never easy, if it were everyone would be doing it. I do wish I took the time to celebrate my victories and accomplishments.
Coming from Jamaica, which has an underdeveloped industry, I continually give back my time and resources. My goal while beginning my career was to leave the industry in a better place than I found it. I wanted to be a role model for aspiring filmmakers. I’m heartened by the stories of filmmakers that were encouraged by my projects to tell their own stories.
I’m currently looking to make my mark on the industry in Atlanta and the United States.
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 came to Atlanta at the start of Covid so I didn’t have a chance to explore. I’m now starting to experience the city. I am an outdoors person so firstly if someone is visiting I would take them to climb Stone Mountain and experience the beautiful view. The hike at Toccoa Falls is a great experience. I would take a day to go wine tasting at Chateau Elan or Yonah Mountain Vineyards. I loved watching the weekly corn hole league at Line Creek Brewery in Peachtree City. The Georgia aquarium is always a must, also the High Museum of Art. I would try to go to a music festival in Piedmont Park.
Atlanta has so many food spots to name but Ponce De Leon Market is always a great spot. Escovitchez if my guys want Jamaican food. Win in Buckhead was delightful. Just to name a few.
Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There are numerous individuals that have believed in me and provided me with opportunities throughout my career. I began my journey in Jamaica and would like to shout out my mentors Oneil Miller and Orville Powell. They wrapped an arm around me and helped guided my early career. In Atlanta, I’d like to shoutout Claire Grant at TVJ for giving me the vehicle to create my first number #1 television show. I’d like to shoutout Omar Derby and Queen Norris; frequent collaborators that have chosen to share their opportunities and successes with me.
Website: www.andrewynter.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/andrewynterdp
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andre-wynterwww.
Youtube: www.youtube.com/jafilmstv
Other: www.jafilmstv.com
Image Credits
Jesus Fuentes Jermaine Nelson