Meet Danae Marks | Filmmaker

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

Hi Danae, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
Being a creative has always been a part of me. My earliest memory with the arts was of me as a child running around with my grandmother’s camcorder conducting my own interviews and creating my own stories with my folks, cousins, and once I was older my friends. Although I have steered away from film in middle school, I always came back to film. For me, it was my natural calling that I felt if I wasn’t going to do anything else I would film something, anything that came to my mind!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My art form is through filmmaking, the stories that I want to bring light to are black stories that follow young adults. I am different because of my perspective and upbringing that allows me to ingest the various emotions that life brings. My proudest moment is my current short film that I have written and directed, because I am writing from a different point of view that challenges me. Creating this short was not as easy as expected because of the bumps that I faced along the way, but it wouldn’t be filmmaking without a few of those! The best thing I have learned to combat those challengers was prosperity, filmmaking will hit you with multiple challenges that if you can’t persevere it will affect the entire production. The most important thing I want the world to know about me is that I can create a story that holds multiple black perspectives that are not usually shown.

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?
If I were to plan a perfect Atlanta day it has to start with food! And of course wings! One of my favorite wing spots is in Decatur called “Lit A$$ wings” the flavors, the aesthetic is very Atlanta. Then, I would take them to the beltline to people watch, walk and get Jenni’s ice cream (Ooey Goey butter cake is what I would recommend). Until we reach another favorite of mine which is a camera/vintage store called Atlanta Worldwide gallery full of art, vintage cameras, and clothes. After that, I would take them to The Supermarket, a “supermarket” turned creative space, to gather with others and look at the art installations. To end the night I would go to the underground taking them to a great late night spot called Frisky Whiskers, a fun, late night, cat cafe that plays music and with a mellow atmosphere.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I was provided the tools to create my first short film by Omni United, where I am currently working on my first feature film with them titled “Independent “. It follows recently graduated black girl starting her first job at a failing political campaign, having to overcome her own mental and emotional turmoils she must prevail to save the campaign and herself.

Instagram: https://Shotby.Danae

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/mwlite/profile/me?trk=p_mwlite_feed-secondary_nav

Image Credits
Self Portrait by Danaë Marks