September 23, 2020

18: Ava DuVernay Switched Careers in Her 30’s, Became an Award-Winning Film Director, and Started a Distribution Collective to Help Others Do the Same

1 hour 23 minutes

An amazing career path does not have a set shape or direction and the limitations that external expectations put on our hopes for ourselves can stunt the blossoming of the most unlikely of flowers. Ava DuVernay is a priceless example of this! She joins us on the podcast today to share her amazing and surprising story and all the twists and turns that have led her to the highly regarded position she currently occupies, and more importantly, where she is able to create her own definition of success — which looks quite different than it used to! In our inspiring and honest conversation, Ava unpacks the important family relationships that shaped her world view, the impact of her college years at UCLA, and the formative experiences she had in the hip hop scene centered around the Good Life Cafe. After carving out an enviable career in publicity and building an agency, Ava began work on a side-project, exploring her childhood passion for story-telling, and this foray into filmmaking grew and grew — in ways that even Ava could not have expected. With so many impressive and vital films under her belt already, we cannot wait to see what she has in store for us next, join us to hear it all!

Key Points From This Episode:

Ava's love of playing with Barbies with her sisters and the early form of world-building this fostered.
Family dynamics growing up and Ava's role as the oldest sibling.
Ava's early thoughts on careers and the gift that reflected these aspirations.
Childhood associations with Hollywood and the importance of arts and culture.
The first movie and music group that Ava fell in love with!
Ava's early connection to U2 and the amazing meetings and communications she has shared with Bono!
Family traits that Ava has inherited; storytelling, hard work, and responsibility.
Neighborhood politics and the radical action that Ava witnessed from a young age.
Ava's college years, her decision to attend UCLA.
The post-college period and the steps that Ava took into publicity business.
The reputation that Ava built up and what she became known for in her work.
Ava's journey towards a healthier sense of balance in her life.
The effect of the terminal diagnosis that Ava's aunt Denise received.
Ava's moment of realization on the set of Michael Mann's Collateral.
The beginnings of Ava's filmmaking career and how she started small.

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By Light Watkins

4.9