FACE OF THE WEEK
Face of The Week: Wilfred La Salle, an Independent filmmaker from the vibrant borough of the Bronx.
Meet Wilfred La Salle, an up-and-coming independent filmmaker from the Bronx, whose inspiring story showcases the power of perseverance and determination in the face of adversity.
As the founder of his own production company, “La Salle Productions Inc.,” Wilfred is on a mission to provide a platform for actors and actresses from all walks of life to shine and showcase their talents on the big stage.
Growing up in a rough neighborhood in the Bronx, Wilfred faced numerous challenges and obstacles that could have easily deterred him from pursuing his dreams. However, he refused to let his circumstances define him, and instead, he channeled his passion for filmmaking and storytelling into something remarkable.
Despite limited resources, Wilfred took the bold step to become an independent filmmaker. He successfully created a full-feature film on a below micro budget, a remarkable achievement that showcased his tenacity and creativity. His journey serves as a testament to the fact that with hard work and dedication, anything is possible.
Through his work, Wilfred seeks to inspire countless individuals who may be facing similar obstacles in their own lives. He believes that no matter where you come from or what challenges you may encounter, with a dream and unwavering effort, you can achieve greatness. By sharing his story, he hopes to ignite hope and motivation in others, encouraging them to pursue their passions with determination and courage.
Wilfred’s impressive filmography includes five self-funded Independent films, including “The Hilo Trilogy” and the standalone feature titled “GRAVES,” all of which are available on Amazon Prime today. Each project showcases his unique vision and dedication to his craft, further solidifying his position as a rising talent in the film industry.
With a heart for empowering fellow filmmakers and artists, Wilfred’s journey continues to inspire countless individuals, showing them that dreams can indeed become reality with hard work, creativity, and resilience.
Can you tell us a little about yourself and what you do?
My name is Wilfred La Salle, I am an Independent filmmaker hailing from the vibrant borough of the Bronx. My roots can be traced back to the projects, where I grew up in a single-family household. My mother’s unwavering determination shone through as she worked full-time and managed to put herself through college at the same time. From an early age, I found solace and joy in the world of cinema. I remember I would spend hours sitting in front of the television, completely engrossed in movies like Rocky 4 and Batman, captivated by their storytelling and the artistry behind their creation. With each film I watched, my fascination with the entire filmmaking process only intensified. I honed in on my craft, learning the intricacies of cinematography, screenplay writing, and directing. I sought out like-minded individuals who shared this passion and formed a close-knit team to bring my visions to life. Gradually I began to make a name for myself as a promising filmmaker. Hilo was my very first short film, I had no idea what I was doing at the time, I didn’t go to college, I didn’t attend any fancy film school or anything like that and I certainly didn’t have any experience whatsoever but I knew the moment the cameras were rolling that this was where I felt most alive. We shot the entire Hilo film in Shelton Connecticut. It felt more like a music video to me now that I look back. Fast forward to Hilo 2, which we shot during the pandemic, it was challenging because so many of my cast members were scared but we pushed through and completed the film and this was the first of my films to get released on Amazon Prime. GRAVES would be my next film and it was my biggest film looking back because it was my very first feature film. We pushed every single limitation that was put in front of us, especially because we had no budget, we were taking so many risks like filming shoot out scenes on public highways without any permits. It was scary but looking back it was worth all of the risks we took to make that film a reality and also got that film on Amazon prime. Hilo 3, my fourth film, and the stakes will be even higher. I wanted to make sure that every film I did was better than the last. I had big shoes to fill and people expected the highest quality from my company. Hilo 3 was released on March 23, 2023 on Amazon prime and the response from the audience was something you could dream about. I wanted to revolutionize Independent Filmmaking and I believe I did just that.
What inspired you to pursue your career or business?
I was inspired by my love for filmmaking. I loved the entire process of how incredible it is to take characters that you’ve created in your head, write them down and actually make them into a reality. I was fascinated. I remember I used to tell people I worked with that I wanted to make movies. They laughed and I realized early on that if you want to kill a big dream, tell it to a small minded person. I used their laughter and doubt as pure motivation to show the world just what can be done without a Hollywood budget.
What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned in your career/business journey so far?
I always taught myself that I refuse to be outworked by anyone. If the guy next to me is doing something great then I would study him/her and make sure I did it better. That’s how I stay motivated—making sure each and every day I’m putting in the work, not excuses. Knowing that I am in full control of my own personal success as well as my failures.
What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced in your career/business and how did you overcome it?
I hired a cinematographer who abandoned one of my projects and also destroyed footage in the middle of us filming. I was forced to halt production and find a replacement. We went back and reshot the remainder of the footage he destroyed. So I’d say always push past any and every obstacle no matter how hard it is. Most people suck. It’s life. Move on and continue the mission no matter who tries to destroy it. Protect your dreams at all costs.
What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned in your career/business journey so far?
Not everyone is your friend. Protect your business at all costs and never mix business with friendship.
How do you define success?
I think success is something that can only be defined by the individual on what success actually means to the person. For me, it’s achieving every single goal I set in front of me. Being better than I was yesterday.
What is your biggest dream, and how are you working towards achieving it?
My biggest dream is to be known as best Director in the world. I want to people to say this guy made films from nothing, no budget, no resources, no limitations and he revolutionized Independent Filmmaking one film at a time. I want to be the one person who paved the way for any filmmaker that anything is possible just look at me.
How has your faith or spirituality played a role in your career/business?
I wasn’t always this positive. When things went bad or didn’t go my way, my fiancé used to always tell me you have to “Trust the process” and as hard headed as I am, she was right, every door that closed on me was just another door for me to kick down. My faith is now bigger than any of my doubts.
Who is your biggest inspiration, and why?
My biggest inspiration is me failing. The thought of that scares the heck out of me. And I’ve failed more times than I’ve ever succeeded. I can tell you that honestly. But that constant fear forces me to stay inspired so that I always stay motivated and on track.
How do you maintain a healthy work-life balance?
I work two jobs; I also manage various businesses with my company. I am pretty busy but I know that having “me” time is a top priority for my creativity. I have to be in a good mental space to create and be the best version of myself. In addition, making sure I am working out and exercising. You just make time, period.
What advice would you give to someone just starting out in your field?
I would say keep going. It does not have to make sense to anyone else but you. Protect your dreams; do not share everything with everybody. People are weird and bad energy can throw off your goals. Be selective on what you share and find a way to make it happen.
What is something that people often misunderstand about your work/business?
This is a big one, for starters I believe I can be misunderstood because I’m extremely passionate and I want things to be as perfect as they possibly can be in a perfect world. Therefore, I think that may come across the wrong way sometimes.
What is the most rewarding aspect of your work/business?
Seeing any project or film complete. And having my cast watch their performances at our annual movie premiere. That is probably the best feeling I could ever feel. Seeing their faces as they watch their hard work transform right before their very eyes.
What is something that you’re passionate about outside of your work/business?
Definitely staying in shape and making sure my health is a priority.
What is the most valuable skill you have learned in your career/business?
Learning how to use all of the film equipment I bought at the same time as I’m filming. You become unstoppable.
What is something you wish you knew when you were just starting out in your career/business?
Patience, you have to have patience. And know that Rome wasn’t built in a day.
How do you deal with failure or setbacks?
I get motivated. I get in my car and just listen to trailer music and zone out alone. Then I come back more driven than ever to make sure I succeed. Rejection motivates me on another level. Those who know…..know.
What is your philosophy in life?
“Rejection is just redirection”
What is that one life lesson that you learned a little too late?
Don’t trust everyone. People have their own agendas. Be selective and when a person shows you who they are, believe them and move on.
What is one thing that you have accomplished that you’re most proud of?
Trusting myself and following my dreams.
How do you see yourself and your business/career evolving in the future?
I see myself expanding and having La Salle Productions known as the revolutionary company all over the world. The company that started thinking outside the box and created some of the greatest Independent films to date.
How do you give back to your community or make a positive impact in the world?
I give back to my community by showing the people where I came from that anything is possible. Growing up in the projects in the Bronx I was exposed to so much violence and drugs but the power of choice and the desire to want a better life should inspire those who I grew up with to say “Man he did it” there’s hope we just have to put in the work and actions behind our words.
What is your biggest regret in life?
Biggest regret in life…. I’d say not starting sooner. I wish I started in my 20’s but better late than never I guess.
Do you have a favorite quote? What is it?
“In order for a man to know where he is going, he must first know where he’s been.”
What is the best advice you have ever received?
No just means “Numerous opportunities” by Luis Carter, my fellow cast member. Thank you Luis.
How do you stay innovative and adapt to changing circumstances in your field?
You can’t be afraid of change. This is something I struggled with over the years but it’s necessary to success. I think having that mindset and knowing that there is no growth in the comfort zone has kept me grounded. You have to get comfortable with being uncomfortable.
Finally, can you share a funny story or experience related to entrepreneurship that you’ve had?
Funny experience … while in the midst of creating my company, I bought so much camera equipment that I had no clue how to use. My fiancé would tell me that I needed to learn how to use it. It collected dust for years until I finally built up the courage to actually watch YouTube videos to learn as I was making movies. It shows although it may have seemed like I had at all figured out I was still leaning along the way. It was a funny but a good learning experience for me, especially knowing that I can’t call myself a production company if the CEO himself knows nothing about the equipment he needs to use.
ABOUT DIZZYDIDDY+PLUS FACES:
“Celebrating Impactful Achievements Across Various Fields”
DIZZYDIDDY+PLUS has launched a new initiative called “Face of the Week,” which aims to showcase the achievements of men and women who are making an impact in various fields, including entrepreneurship, entertainment, education, communication, and more. Each week of the year, from January to December, a new face will be introduced to the public through DIZZYDIDDY+PLUS’s platform.
Many of these faces of the week will also be honored at the Crownys, which are the DIZZYDIDDY+PLUS Awards and where all the faces and people who worked or partnered with DIZZYDIDDY+PLUS will be celebrated. The ultimate goal of this initiative is to give recognition and exposure to individuals who are making a positive difference in their respective fields.
The initiative will culminate with the release of a printed magazine in December for the Face Of The Year.
By highlighting the achievements of these individuals, DIZZYDIDDY+PLUS hopes to inspire and encourage others to pursue their passions and make a positive impact in the world.
