Conversations with Dontez James

Today we’d like to introduce you to Dontez James

Hi Dontez, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I have been an author for over fifteen years and an actor for the last ten.

What inspired me to write originally was my passion for spelling and crossword puzzles that I would complete with my grandmother. When I reached eleven years old, I was able to understand the struggles that my mom was going through, then I began to understand what it meant for her to have kidney failure. She’d go off to dialysis 3 times a week, and after most treatments, she would have to go to the hospital because of the toll the treatments take on her body.

During those hospital visits I would read goosebumps books and then I remember thinking to myself “what if I wrote a book?” With that thought I turned to poetry first.

After moving to Ravenna, I would always keep multiple notebooks with me and with the help of some friends, Upward Bound and an organization called dreams are contagious, I would become the first published author in my family.

As years passed I focused on sports and school. During my time in highschool one specific year I went to the hospital and nearly lost my life due to stomach complications I was born with. After one scary surgery and I gained consciousness, I remember my family showing me the very first copy of my book We All Do Dumb Things. That day I promised God that I would never take anything for granted.

Once I graduated Highschool and reached young adulthood I realized that I wanted more. I decided that I wanted to turn my books into films and I wanted to star in them, so I became an actor after a conversation with Steve Harvey and completing my first year of college.

I started with background work as an extra and through that I was able to work with legends like Denzel Washington and Will Smith. I’d work on movies and TV shows for weeks and months at a time on franchises like Fast and the Furious and Fences. Because of that, being an extra became my film school.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It has not always been a smooth road. Between my twenties and thirties, I can understand how life moves in cycles. Once I realized that I am in control of my future, I started to give myself grace with where I was in my journey. I understand now that everything that I had been through in the beginning prepared me for what was to come along the way and now I know how to handle many situations.

One of the struggles in the beginning was honestly starting from a blank page. First there’s the belief that it’s possible, then there was trying to figure out the action necessary to get my first win. Writing and Acting in Ohio did not come with a rule book. I had to be creative and know that it would even be possible to bring my thoughts and aspirations to life.

Starting from scratch as an actor in the beginning meant that I had to figure out where to even apply for an acting job. Then there was getting booked; figuring out what an headshot and resume was. Being so dedicated that I’d have to sell books in order to take multiple buses to get from Cleveland to Ravenna, then came the humility to ask for rides home from set from different friends and family members.

Fresh out of Highschool, one year in college and no car, job or money was the toughest part of this journey. I stayed dedicated no matter how much money was on the line because I knew my place, understood that I had to pay my dues and I wanted to learn.

Once the first year passed my struggles changed, I started to look for an agency and I tried nearly six times to join the agency that I am with till this day. Then my struggles became fighting imposter syndrome.

As an Author, it’s intimidating to see that first blank page. Once I got over that and you catch a groove, the ol reliable writers block try’s to creep in. Because of that, I started to study acting just as much as I studied being a writer. Through the acting/writing books, scene study, and becoming a student of the craft month after month, I have learned how to do both things simultaneously and because of that I found my identity as an artist.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a six time author. I write books that inspires growth and healing. I take inspiration from careers that interest me and I give my characters human experiences that we all can learn from.

I am also an actor and have recently appeared in the TV Show All American as a Heisman winning Quarterback named Jono Prince, I also appear as the funny and curious Donnie in the HBO Max Original show, Made for Love, and I have been the host for lids during their collaboration with the historic Negro Leagues baseball and basketball teams.

I am most proud of my resume because I remember when all of these things were just ideas I’d write in my dream journals. What I can say sets me apart from most would be my willingness to take constructive criticism. I am big on growth and I have my circle of trust that I can confide in when I’m unsure of my next steps or I feel as if I’m running in place.

Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
The best way to find a mentor in the industry is by looking for the person that is doing what you want to do at a high level and study how they’re doing it. Putting yourself out there can be a challenge but these days we have the internet and many streaming services. Finding your favorite actor and studying how they do things can help you find your own flow.

Also, being willing to learn your craft through seminars and classes can help you find the guidance need.

Another secret if you do not have a resume is to create your own short films or collaborate with someone in the industry. There are 48 hour film projects, and so many artists in Ohio that always produce great work.

Pricing:

• Book: Beautiful Hue $20
• Book: Seeing the Light $20
• Book: We All Do Dumb Things $15
• Book: Untold Nightmares $15
• Merch $30-$80

Contact Info:

• Website: https://DontezXJames.com
• Instagram: Dontezxjames_
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@dontezxjames?si=k8XB_7kmq2AlsmvD

Image Credits
Natasha Ingeram