Meet Silas James Rowland | Film Director & Screenwriter

We had the good fortune of connecting with Silas James Rowland and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Silas James, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
My endeavor as a creative began unconventionally. You know, being a filmmaker, people often assume that it was a particular film that captivated and inspired me to delve into the craft, but that’s just not true. There’s really two things that happened. The first is that I come from a background in skateboarding.

As a skater kid, my friends and I would watch these skate videos, especially the ones filled with hi-jinx, and go out everyday to recreate our own. This nonchalantly got me introduced into camera techniques, editing, and visual storytelling. It was at this moment, I began to love something more than my skateboard, and that was my video camera.

Second, I believe there was something that existed within me well before I ever got a camera in my hands. I always had the urge to showcase the visions and ideas that existed in my mind with precision. At first, that came in the form of drawing, but that talent just didn’t seem to naturally evolve. I think when I got a sense of how the camera worked, and that I could be a little bit more direct with my imagination, the technique of filmmaking made sense as a way for me to translate my creative ideas into a tangible medium.

Ultimately, I got into the artistic world of filmmaking as a means to release the pressure that was building up in my head from all these ideas. These images were full-form, and not just things that could simply be tossed aside. Maybe it’s a little self-entitled, but I thought maybe other people would like to see what I was seeing.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Being a filmmaker is tough business. A lot of times, you don’t get to make a movie unless you know somebody who’s already had some mild success in the industry. The thing about me, and one of the things that I believe sets me apart from other filmmakers, is that I don’t need anyone to give me permission to fail or succeed. For one, I don’t even believe failure is a thing. I will always keep going, no matter the odds, and just live my life to make films, no matter what that capacity is.

Never wait for someone to tell you can achieve something. Just go for it. There is only hits and misses, and the ability to adapt and keep going. At the same time, don’t be blind to your current state of skill. If you think you’re good right off the presses without doing a quality check, then you’ll set yourself up for constant let downs.

My upbringing was quite difficult. Not unheard of, but nonetheless, it wasn’t easy. I think right off the bat I knew I was dealt a bad hand, so instead of using that energy to repeat the horrid things that came before me, I flipped the script and used tragedy to push me towards a brighter meaning in life.

At this point, I’ve made multiple feature films that have done decent, and now I’m doing my biggest project yet, and I have faith that it’ll catapult my career as a film director. Part of my goal is to have the triumphant story of the underdog. I also think it’s key to set what that expectation is. Is it an Oscar? Is it tons of accolades? No, I think it’s just a matter of the getting my original scripts into production with a bit more ease and finesse. At the end of the day, it’s about entertaining people and wanting them to come back for more of what I have to offer. I could care less about the awards — although I’d gladly accept an Oscar!

At the end of the day, my person and brand, which is pretty much the same entity, is about doing what you want to do no matter your status. We get one shot on this rock, and I want to take hold of the opportunities that bring me joy. Right now my focus is one-hundred percent geared towards producing and directing my latest film entitled “ALL THAT IS EVIL.” This film exist within the horror genre, but it’s got a great story full of dense characters so it’s not just your run of the mill “jump scares” and “gimmicks.” If you want to see more about how we’re bringing this project to life in the Upstate of South Carolina, I encourage you to subscribe to our website (www.allthatisevil.com) where we post behind the scenes images, blogs, and production related news. The community and local industry professionals are really coming together to help me bring this film to the screen and we anticipate a local premiere towards the end of October.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’d say let’s go to the Reedy Reels Film Festival and catch a buzz at Gather GVL. That place is so cool. The food is great and the aesthetics are extremely unique. Heck, that’s a place I could go chill by myself and just melt into the atmosphere.

Additionally, I’d take them up and down main street to vibe out. I’m one of those people who go with where the wind takes me, so we’d go there!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’d like to give a special thanks to Author Wofford Lee Jones, my wife Sara Elizabeth Rowland, my best friend Dean Ferreira, my mother-in-law Robyn Anderton, and my parents James Rowland and Stephanie Rowland. They all built me up in various ways. In the end, they’ve all encouraged and supported me to be free in my endeavors.

Website: https://www.allthatisevil.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bigdaddydirector/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/silasrowland/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mistadadbod

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/sighlus