We had the good fortune of connecting with W Alan Waters and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi W Alan, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
It honestly all started when I had the idea to do a podcast with a group of friends that I had gone to college with. We released the first episode, and I realized just how much more work needed to go into the project before it would reach a place that I would be satisfied quality wise. From there I started to develop my own guidelines and procedures for podcasting and virtual productions, and I realized that this kind of information would be invaluable to other independent producers like myself. At the same time, I was at a place in my life where I felt trapped by, let’s say contentious, work environments. I just had to sit down and ask those that have always helped support, and challenge me in my life, if there was merit in the work I had been doing on my own outside of those other companies. My partner Rachel helped me take the leap, and accept the risk, and so we officially went into business as our own production company.

What should our readers know about your business?
DimlyWit Productions started out entirely as a labor of love, and has grown into something so much more than I could have ever imagined. We’re a multimedia production company founded by independent producers, for independent producers, with a specialization in podcasts, virtual productions, and mistakes.

That little tag line about mistakes came from the fact that we know there’s never such a thing as perfect, ultimately something will always go wrong, but because of experiences we’re really really good at taking things in stride to facilitate and create the best possible productions that we can. It’s been that mindset that’s helped us work so successfully with so many different kinds of companies on so many different kinds of productions. In just this past year we’ve helped bring to life a world premiere virtual musical, a Zoom inspired web series, a Drama League award nominated production of The Last 5 Years (with OOTB), and not to mention our roster of 6 weekly podcasts, including the award nominated Bad Examples.

As a company we offer all services in all facets of the production process, and it’s our goal to help other companies like us succeed. So if you need someone to help produce your show, need a technical consultant, or even someone to edit your feature length film, we can do it!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’ll be honest, since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic we were forced to move to a brand new location. Since then I haven’t been able to explore too many places nearby, however I’m in a really great spot with a lot to offer in the area now that things are starting to open back up. Just recently I tried a restaurant called The Black Hen that was the best dinner and cocktails that I think I’ve ever had. Otherwise I’m really a homebody that likes to entertain people that way. So I’d love to craft some cocktails, make a nice meal, and have a board game night or a movie marathon with friends. You might have to keep shushing me though, I’m a TV/Film trivia buff and am constantly interrupting things with different “fun facts.”
They’re fun to me! So that’s what counts right?

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I have a multitude of people that I could shoutout, and I have to first and foremost say thank you to everyone who has helped me get to where I am, BUT I have 2 shoutouts that I believe are really important to make. My first would be my wife and business partner Rachel Langley, she has always supported me through all of my decisions, and has always helped me be the best version of myself. I wouldn’t even be doing this interview if it weren’t for her!
My second has to be Out of the Box Theatrics, an off broadway company based in NYC that has continuously hired my company for their production needs. It was because of the very successful collaboration on their streamed production, You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown, that we really started to be noticed by other companies for our virtual work. Since that show we’ve stayed exceptionally busy, and been blessed with some amazing productions to work on. So thank you OOTB and especially their Artistic Director Liz Flemming!

Website: DimlyWit.com

Instagram: @dimlywitproductions, @walanwaters

Image Credits
Kathryn Burrell (headshot) Rachel Langley (DimlyWit Artwork)

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