Dec 08, 2014 8 Questions With: Sheldon Candis
Sheldon Candis is a Baltimore native who currently calls LA home, since graduating from USC School of Cinematic Arts. He is a talented writer/director who has worked on many different types of videography: feature-length films, short films, music videos, documentaries, commercial work. He was nominated for an MTV VMA with his music video for the J.Cole song “Crooked Smile.” Check out his portfolio, at Cinephile Academy. We’ve also worked with Sheldon in the past – he has documented a couple of our events such as 2011: IMPRINT LGB: What Price Video? He was kind enough to drop by our Long Beach digs recently and got us up to speed on some of the great work he’s been doing for brands like Under Amour lately.
What are you currently working on?
A prestige 12-hour, limited series at ABC, based off the New York Times Best Selling book A Slave in the White House, which is based on the true story of Paul Jennings, a slave who grew up in the White House as President James Madison’s junior valet, and later become the mastermind behind America’s largest slave escape. Also, an ESPN 30 for 30 original documentary Baltimore Boys based on the true story of the greatest high school basketball team ever, the Dunbar Poets, who went 60-0 over two seasons producing four NBA players, one being the 5’3″ phenom Tyrone ‘Muggsy’ Bogues.
How would you describe your job?
‘A good director knows exactly what he or she wants… but is open to new ideas…’ My job is working with actors to get the best performance out of them while collaborating with a group of specialized individuals to tell a story. I’m all about exploring the human condition and creating a cinematic emotional experience for an audience.
What does your average work day look like?
When shooting, it’s a set of consecutive & numerous 14hr days of working on set. Shooting scenes under a ticking clock of pressure. Some days you get your heartbroken, others you’re blessed with amazing discoveries that you weren’t aware of while writing. The days you have to compromise or feel you didn’t fully get to capture a scene are the ones that haunt you in your sleep forever!
What’s the best thing about living and working in LA?
You’re constantly surrounded and inspired by creative people. Outside opinion usually points directly to the plastic idea of hollywood. But every day I encounter super talented people. It’s an open market artisan guild in a sense.
Where do you find inspiration?
Watch a ton of movies. Listen to musicians live a lot. Look at paintings and drawings a ton.
As a kid, what did you want to be when you grow up?
Outside of this obsessive fantasy of playing basketball 4 years at DUKE and going straight to the NBA, I always loved movies. I was this nerdy only child film geek contastly acting out the scenes over and again. Some called me weird. I called myself inspired.
What are you reading at the moment?
Graphic novels. One called Black Market. The new Michael Jordan book.
What’s your favorite post-work destination?
A movie theater. It’s the most magical place. I’ve had spiritual experiences in the dark staring at that silver screen.
