Today we’d like to introduce you to Trae Dungy.
Hi Trae, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I have always loved film. While in college I studied many aspects of the craft. Lack of diversity in the distribution industry and my love for the craft of filmmaking was my original inspiration. I love seeing and supporting young hungry artists. Having been a young inexperienced filmmaker myself, I understand the struggles and hustle of trying to get your artistic work positioned well. Where I find myself now is in a mix between art and business.
As an artist being able to appreciate art but also as a businessman in the business of art. I chose to look at it from two different perspectives. The biggest detractors facing artists today are finding and connecting with the avenues to monetize their craft. I love to see people pushing boundaries, making strides and taking risks that make a greater difference. I’m inspired to share our united vision in this medium of art. I’m inspired by filmmakers who don’t have a whole lot to work with. They don’t have the money or resources, but they are able to flip what they have and do the most with it. Someone who is able to take just a few dollars and make a production and when you’re watching it, and you can’t tell they didn’t have all the resources of a much larger film. There is great storytelling, acting and an overall presence on the screen going toe to toe with any major movie company. These are the elements that make me eager to do a distribution deal. The other most important element about a film that inspires me to want to create opportunities is the people. Creators with vision and inspiring stories to tell. People from the African diaspora have been marginalized worldwide, and our stories is why this company was created and this shared vision makes me want to work that much harder for my clients in creating distribution opportunities that can build generations of wealth.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
COVID has changed the world and the filmmaking business is no exception. The way we gather, congregate and share has been changed. The way we tell stories and the relevance of the stories we tell is altered. We have all been through so much collectively and individually. Physically and emotionally and yet we continue to thrive. Filmmaking is an art form that can comfort us when we are down or brighten us when our light is dim. It’s an art form that shares connects and translates the human experience. Initially, when the pandemic began viewership overall took a large dip as families gathered about the most essential needs of their homes and communities, and spent time connecting on things that were the most important as we all did. Now that we are carving a new path from the old we have seen streaming numbers and sales begin to pick back up. As the normalcy of quarantine subsides for the time being and the relevancy of being black in America takes a front seat. Black stories that have been ignored for so long are becoming relevant for a broader cultural experience. For many companies, it’s a fearful trend. For us, it’s a way of life.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I own a privately owned company Trial x Fire & Film Plug that specializes in Movies, Television, and Musical programming. At TXF & Film Plug we aim to entertain, educate, and enlighten the masses through media, content partnerships, print, and new emerging technologies. Our dedication to our culture, viewers, and the expansive drive and inclusive nature keep TRIAL X FIRE at the top of its field.
We have always had a yearning to give new and talented filmmakers an opportunity to be seen and heard. Not only was Urban Home Entertainment where I served as Co-CEO and Acquisition Executive the first to shop for distribution for Tyler Perry plays, they were also the first to create distribution opportunities for Kevin Hart on his stand-up routine. Today, UHE & TXF partner with filmmakers and releases titles of urban & multi-cultural films to the most sought-after retailers, television, and platforms in the US, Canada as well as Internationally abroad.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
Art has always been an inspirational factor in my world, almost like a guiding force in my life. I don’t know if I would have been able to get away from it if I tried. Honestly, I should’ve known it was my passion because I was never good at keeping a job in other industries. After a while, It was more like trying to fit a square peg into a round hole. My soul was just meant for so much more. Once I realized that you could create a living from having that feeling of creativity one gets from making something; It just always made me wonder why anyone would want to do any other job in the world. As a young child, I spent a lot of time watching TV and I grew up in front of the television. I witnessed the entire world by watching TV. It was like a magic carpet to me, I could go anywhere.
My favorite show was Movie Magic. This show broke down the secrets of the movie making industry using examples from popular movies at the time. Seeing this really intrigued me and gave me a greater sense of appreciation for the process and art behind the scenes. The film Boyz in the Hood was a groundbreaking film for me, as I learned of the story behind this film and the lead character with whom I shared a name made me think there might be a possibility for me to live my dreams by telling the stories I witnessed and experienced in my everyday life. I grew up in South Texas, not a big filmmaking community at that time. Black directors, film education, access, and anything else you would need to be successful at the time was limited in my community to say the least. There weren’t many resources.
Contact Info:
- Email: watchfilmplug@gmail.com
- Website: Filmplug.net
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefilmplug_/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/Filmplug1
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCY5Vg4CdkqQDlL_5fny92Qg
