This is my second segment of "Black Business and Beyond" and I'm honored it's on my friend Evan and his older bro Brian. We're all Brooklyn natives that forcibly moved to the twilight zone that is Central Florida, which connected us all by a church our parents found fit to attend every Sunday.
Since then I've known these young men were talented individuals that would do big things, like you know start a sound company. Trytone Sound was incorporated July 2014, with the purpose of providing the best sound and post production for video media. They are freelancers working year round to take their business to the next level everyday. I had a cool interview with them about their company; so here it is:
Q: What is your position in this business?
B: I'm in charge of on set recording
E: I do editing effects and music mixing
Q: What are your aspirations for this company?
B: For me, I want us to have a central office space and expand. I want us to have more equipment so we could have more BOOM ops. I'd also like us to unionize, specifically with Local 52. Union equals working on TV shows and films that'll be seen on major networks and in theaters. I'd also like us to have a team to work the lower level work, right now Evan and I are doing it; and interns. I want interns.
E: Consistent work/clients. I would want more music projects than sound and a team I could oversee for projects.
Q: In every business they'll be ups and downs; what are yours?
B: Ups are you're the boss and it pays well. I get to put my name out there. Like recently I worked a job for "The Letterman Show" and a sound mixer liked me and the work I did, so he connected me to a job on a documentary film. That's why it's so important to do a good job at every job, because it leads to more work and clients. It's all such a great feeling. Downs are the dry spells; it happens mostly in the winter. If you didn't save while you had work it becomes tough. It's a lot busier in the summer and fall.
E: Being in charge and working for your self is definitely an up. I get to put my education into use. So many of my friends are working jobs that are irrelevant to their degree and I'm glad I don't have to go through that. We get to make the decisions and I love my work. The down is finding work; I get most of my jobs through Joshua [another founder of the company] and Brian. So I'm looking to make more connections and build a solid base.
Q: How does it feel being a successful black businessman?
B: Kinda unbelievable; I allowed myself to be trained and put myself out there. It is definitely scary at times, but always exciting. It's really an indescribable feeling.
E: Exciting; cool. There's more room for everybody in art; as long as you do the work and do it well you're good. It's not like the corporate world. It feels good.
Q: Are you on the market?
B: Haha yes; but I'm not actively looking. As long as she could handle my schedule, which is very unpredictable, we're good.
E: Sure, I'm dating and just going with the flow.
Q: What's your favorite Pokémon? [1st gen of course!]
B: Articuno, the legendary ice Pokémon!
E: Hmm I really gotta think about that. I'd say Alakazam!
Q: Any plans of philanthropy?
B: I want to donate the Made in New York Program. I went through it and those before me would come to some classes and give us advice. It really helped me and I learned to do the same for cycles after me. I even receive emails from some students thanking me for the advice I gave them. That program taught me a lot and I want it to exist for as long as possible. That program was actually designed for minorities to break into the production field! I know I'll be giving back to them.
E: I'd like to give back to the College of Music and Arts at USF, my school. There's also the Broadway Program that I work with now. We take underprivileged community kids to see plays. Like we went to see "On The Town" which we actually shouldn't have taken kids to see, but they had a great time and got to experience seeing a Broadway play. Those are great programs I would donate to.
These are great brothers who are making their dreams a reality. Many people feel you shouldn't mix family with business but Evan and Brian prove that it can work out wonderfully. They continue to promote their brand and make a name for themselves as young black men. They show kids who want to enter the art world that's it can happen. If you or anyone you know needs sound production services get in touch with Trytone Sounds!
Checkout their website: http://www.trytonesound.com/
Have questions I didn't ask? Wanna take one of them off the market? Connect with Evan and Brian!
Evan: Evan@trytonesound.com http://www.evanjosephmusic.com https://www.facebook.com/eojoseph?fref=ts
Brian: Brian@trytonesound.com https://www.facebook.com/brian.joseph.750?fref=ts
SHELAH MARIE
Q: You speak a lot on depression, body image and self esteem. Would you consider yourself an advocate/activist on these topics?
A: I appreciate that thought, but those are things I personally go through. It is a selfish thing but I allow for me to slip into myself and that opens up avenues for healing for others. It helps me with the journey I'm going through. By doing so I empower others along the way.
Q: What are your talents/occupations?
A: I'm a writer/playwright, actress (of my own work and auditions), and an educator. I teach kids about various themes in theatre and drama.
Q: What are your long term goals?
A: To keep empowering women through feminism and personal power with acting with the different roles I play. I want to create a space for healing; everything I do is intended for healing.
Q: How are you actively working towards your goals?
A: Definitely through Instagram. I am developing myself as a public figure and I can talk about certain things; I can spark things. I'm also reaching them by everything I'm doing now. I have international workshops and a podcast that'll be launching in two weeks. I just want to take everything to the next level.
Q: Do you believe you have fans? If so how do they inspire you/influence what you do?
A: If I didn't have fans, I wouldn't be a public figure. They inspire me because I appreciate them all and the love they give me. I admit it can be overwhelming at times, with all the emails and direct messages, but I try to show love to them all.
Q: Who are your career role models?
A: A marriage of Iyanla Vanzant, Oprah, Angela Bassett [she doesn't play just any role] and Kate Winslit [she doesn't want her images Photo shopped].
Q: What message do you want to tell the world?
A: Love yourself, be kind to yourself and learn to dance with your fear.
Q: What do you do for fun?
A: Dance in my room to music, watch documentaries and eat food.
Q: What mystical creature would you become?
A: Whatever Octavia Butler was in "Wild Seed"! She had the ability to transform herself; it is like Mystique but with more intuition.
Q: If you had to choose one food and drink to eat for a year, which would they be?
A: White rice and coffee. I love white rice and I already drink coffee everyday.
Q: How does it feel to be my first "Black Business and Beyond" interview?
A: Great! I'm excited to read the article.
That was basically the great conversation I got to have with Shelah. I am honored to have her as my first interview in this segment of my blog. She epitomizes what it is to truly be a black woman and I know she will go far in her life and career if she keeps true to herself and shares it with the world.
Connect with her more through Instagram @theshelahmarie and her site www.shelahmarie.com. Look out for her podcast launching in a couple weeks as well : The Curvy and Curly Chronicles!
No comments:
Post a Comment