Conversations with Director Ave

Today we’d like to introduce you to Director Ave.

Hi Director Ave, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I’ve been making media for as long as I can remember. My love for technology and artistic mediums from video games to music to movies has always been there, but I also never just wanted to consume it. I have always been interested in how things work and how I could create cinematic masterpieces by myself. At different times in my life, I have been more interested in creating either music, video games, or movies among a bunch of other side media-based interests. After coming to Denver two years ago I began to become known as a music video director over all of my other talents specifically in the rap genre. After working with some of biggest acts since then, I feel blessed to be appreciated in this up-and-coming scene. Not being from Colorado I struggled to get my foot in the door, but once I did and more people got the chance to see what I can do, I quickly grew and now I feel like Denver is my home. I don’t know if I will be here forever but I will always appreciate the love this city has given me. 

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
I think it is always about perspective when one talks about their challenges in life or their career. On one hand, this journey has been anything but smooth. I have given my best years to people who took advantage of my kindness and then tossed me to the side when they felt like it. I have lost a connection with 99% of the friends I once made and now have anxiety about people’s intentions because becoming known makes you a target. Although I have only began my journey, people have done things to me that will have me watching my back for the foreseeable future. On the flip side of this, I have been able to do things with people who I once admired, and worked with artists who have a real following that got my art seen by a lot of people. I also live in a country where this dream is possible and I am able to be an artist and survive from that income. I am in good health and am generally happy. Could the ride have been smoother? Absolutely. Can I complain about my life when others on this planet have it so much worse? No. 

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Although I do almost everything in media and musical artist development, I am currently most known for visuals, specifically VFX or 3D animated musical promotions/ videos. My goal over the next year is to reach into more commercial projects and work on higher production value/ budget projects. I always will do music videos, but it is hard to pay the bills off of that alone. I am most proud of the work that is currently on my Instagram and website and am the type of artist to be very critical of what I present to people. That is a huge part of what makes me different from other music video directors. I take my time to perfect whatever I am working on and if I don’t think it is better than the last thing I posted, I probably won’t be showing it off too much. Quality over quantity all day! 

Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs, or other resources you think our readers should check out?
I mostly consume YouTube content. A good channel to watch to see how fun it can be to do what I do is Corridor Crew which is a behind-the-scenes vlog of a small production company that focuses on 3D and VFX content. Another channel I watch is for creatives to sharpen their business negation skills is called The Futur. 

Contact Info:

• Website: DirectorAve.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/directorave