D’Arcy Smith shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
D’Arcy, we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: What is a normal day like for you right now?
Most days are full of a mix of pre-production, directing projects, or watching and giving editing notes. Running a studio means that everything is happening at once. Even while I’m directing a current project, I’m preparing for the next shoot, or editing and finalizing the previous one. Time management is key, but sometimes it’s just better to pivot and find a new way of working.
Right now I’m producing and directing a number of micro-drama verticals. I’m exploring what other genres can be told and can we stretch out a narrative arc beyond the 90 second format.
Check them out here:
https://www.instagram.com/digitalperformancelab/
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m D’Arcy Smith, director of The Digital Performance Lab at UC in the Digital Futures Building. I’m also a professor of Acting and Voice at UC in the CCM Acting department. I train and direct actors in digital mediums, from film, to voice over, to motion capture.
I’m passionate about digital storytelling, and preparing actors both with the skills but also the experience to help them perform in a variety of mediums. Most actors know how to act on stage from their BFA program, but not enough understand all the forms that they will encounter when they graduate.
At the same time I want to explore and experiment with new ways to use technology. That is the mission of the DP Lab.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who taught you the most about work?
My work relies on collaboration. It is impossible without it. As one of my colleagues always says, “If collaboration were easy, everyone would do it.”
My parents were both teachers and taught me to work hard, but also to be generous and patient with others. By having clear boundaries and expectations the work flow is going to go better and easier. But conflict is going to happen, so it is just as important to focus on how conflict is dealt with than trying to avoid it at all costs.
As technology gets more sophisticated, we are going to need the right people working together.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
So many. The thing no one says enough…is that it is ok to give up. Try something, fail at it, try to do better. But then also: Try something, fail, and try something else. So many artists can get trapped in a “sunk cost fallacy.” It’s ok to do a variety of things and see what sparks.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
I think this industry focuses too much on “talent” being something that is somehow completely innate. The myth of “they just have it or they don’t” seems to still be around. Most of the time they mean “it” as in talent.
To me the only “it” that matters is the desire and resilience to create, improve, and work in a sustainable way. It is the hardest thing to train or teach but is the path to mastery. After that, good people skills and understanding the business is key.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What are you doing today that won’t pay off for 7–10 years?
Everything is going to change in the next 2 years, but everything you do as an artist now prepares you for that change. It may not pay off directly but the lessons and skills will serve you. All the work I did during COVID is not relevant as much now, but the skills and lessons I learned absolutely are!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://ucdigitalfutures.com/digital-performance-lab/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/digitalperformancelab/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@DigitalPerformanceUC/shorts
Image Credits
Digital Futures
