We had the good fortune of connecting with RJ Nevens, Jr. and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi RJ, do you disagree with some advice that is more or less universally accepted?
That you must go to film school in order to make films or release that creative cinematic talent or urge that you have inside of you.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am a risk manger as a career. For the last twenty years that has been my profession. However; my wife, Chelsea and I formed a production company called Black 17 Productions several years back as a side hustle. For me, writing and directing is a creative outlet that help me stay sane from the corporate world. When I tell people in my corporate environment that I have written, directed, and produced feature films, short films, etc they always seem fascinated. No matter what we begin to talk about the conversation always circles back to, “I can’t believe you made movies. How do I see them?” I really don’t consider myself a professional and I’m humbled to have been the recipient of awards like Best Director, Best Writer, Film of the Year, and Artist of the Year. I still can’t believe others look at my art and think it’s worthy of such accolades. But we all know that it takes a village and without people’s support, community support, and the dedication of casts and crews that I would not be having this interview. I owe it all to them. I sum it up by saying be supportive or those that supported you and support those people who are worthy of you time. Time is in short supply. Spend it wisely.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I live in Houston but come to Dallas regularly. In fact, I’ll be there mid August at the Arlington Improv for Rob Schneider show. I typically frequent the Stockyard in Fort Worth, Adair’s Saloon, and riding the trolley.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There are a lot of people that need a shout out from me. Two that stand out and gave me an opportunity are Elizabeth Blake-Thomas and Isabella Blake-Thomas a mother and daughter duo of creative energy and talent. Long story short, my wife and I attend Worlfest Houston International Film Festival in 2014. My latest short film, Walking Point, was adapted from my feature script that was nominated for some screenplay awards (yes it took five years to make Walking Point a reality). My wife comes out from the ladies room and says, “You’ve got to meet this thirteen year old girl I just met in there. Her name is Isabella.” They met over a compliment of each others finger nail color. Turns out Isabella had written a script and they were looking for a writer to work on it further. We all met up later and immediately knew we were going to work together. So Isabella and I wrote The League of Legend Keepers: Shadows together. Elizabeth kept telling me it was going to get produced but I really looked at as meeting some good people and going through a writing exercise. A year or so later I was on set in LA as the screenwriter and it was an experience of a lifetime and it all came about because of finger nail polish. A huge shout out to Elizabeth and Isabella!!!

Website: www.black17productions.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/black17productions/?hl=en

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCelC8zzaA_XQeERxYyIayg

Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5715927/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1

Image Credits
Stephanie Kewish, Jennifer Battaglia

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutDFW is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.