Meet Dwayne Parker | Actor, Director, Producer, Writer and Guidance Counselor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dwayne Parker and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dwayne, career-wise, where do you want to be in the end?
I believe that most people that consider themselves artists want to leave some sort of legacy behind as their end goal. At the end of my career professionally, I will create and act in unique quality projects in film and television. Projects that will continuously inspire and touch the emotions of the audiences who watch. I would like my name to be synonymous with action, excitement, drama and excellence in storytelling. I also would like to have helped many others achieve their dreams and goals along with me.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I believe in following your dreams even if you have to fight for every inch to make it a reality. I was born in Toronto, Canada to Guyanese parents. I grew up wanting to do something great that would help others. Film and television is a big part of that. I feel this type of media inspires people. I grew up wanting to be a hero like the action stars I saw on television. My first dream as a youth that I remember was to become a private detective and solve crime. I used to draw cartoon panels of a cool red car jumping over cliffs saving the day. I was inspired by Knight Rider and Dukes of Hazzard. My sense of humor was developed as I watched shows like Three’s Company, I love Lucy and What’s Happening (where my name was taken from). I’m a big fan of music and listened to Dick Clark’s countdown, Michael Jackson, Prince.

My childhood in Canada I felt was important because the difference in culture there allows me to see things from different perspectives. I eventually relocated to New York in the United States with my mom and my two sisters. I remember the last movie I saw before a left was Flight of the Navigator. My parents got divorced and that would be the last I would see of my Dad for awhile. My sense of adventure never left me and I embraced the change, I had no choice. After, going to school in South Jamaica, Queens, I graduated from high school with every intention to make my dreams come true. I wanted to be a broadcast journalist and change the world through thought provoking stories. I also had a love for theatre and loved to be in front of the camera. I was fortunate to receive internships at music companies like A&M Records, Polygram and Quest Records where I learned about marketing and promotion as well as music in general. My love for the entertainment industry grew and I knew I wanted to do something in the field. I decided to join the Army to help pay my way for my bachelors in broadcast journalism.

I was able to graduate as well a successfully get an honorable discharge from the military. However, I found out real quickly landing a job as a reporter was extremely hard and I got rejection letters after rejection letters from different television stations. I never gave up and I took an opportunity to join the great NBC Page program under the Bob Wright, who was president at the time. I was able to then get a job at MSNBC and then Oxygen but I was laid off at every job I landed. This uncertainty made me very upset as I felt I was unable to succeed after doing everything by the book.

My mother suggested for me to enter the education system and although I took and passed the test to become a New York Police Officer and a New York Court Officer. I caved to my mother request though and went on the path to become a guidance counselor. I felt that by doing anything other than film and television was me giving up on my dreams. It made me second guess everything. However, my experience as a high school guidance counselor helped me to grow creatively and understand multiple personalities and perspectives that allow me to access different ways of thought when acting and when I write. It also helped to inspire me not to give up on my dreams as I encouraged others to fulfill theirs.

While the work of being a guidance counselor is very emotionally demanding it allowed me to reset in other ways and figure out just how I will approach achieving my dream. Not having to worry about money, I was able during this time to start acting again and understanding the craft in such a way that I felt I could attack it with my own personal touch. I started to do some extra work, acted in web series alongside some experienced actors and actresses, I even starred in an independent film called Fugue by director Matt Mullen. I will always thank him for believing in me, it gave me the confidence that I could be a leading man a film when I was told by acting teachers that I would best fit the “buddy” roles. In addition, I also started my own production company called Knight 7 Productions. I learned how to use a camera and editing equipment from college and NBC and was capable of doing many of the same things on my own. Editing, lighting, sound, camera work. This led me to shooting and editing many live events at places like the famous BB Kings in New York and filming celebrities. I became capable in front and behind the camera. I feel it is very important to know all aspects of production.

In 2020 I decided to write, direct produce, edit and star in my first feature film, VEX. This was challenging because it was truly an independent project 100 percent funded by me. So I couldn’t fail. I had use all my skills from my time at the music companies and television stations to create, promote push and create this film. You can see my journey the Vex instagram page @vexthemovie. It was a lot and at this point in my life it’s my proudest achievement. I am happy that I was able to complete my vision and help the people who worked with me, live out their dreams as well. I worked with an amazing cast a crew that allowed me to share my vision with the world. VEX is currently on Amazon Prime and Altavod.com right now. Leave a review if you watch it please, it helps with the algorithm. I hope you will check it out and share it with people as it has a message of forgiveness that I believe all should hear. It won multiple awards and cemented me as a filmmaker.

Currently, I am still auditioning and looking for my big break in film and/or television. In the meantime I have completed two series pilots and I have two indie projects that I am executive producing, one which may be my next feature film. I am also working with creator and co-writer Landra Phillips Simpson on the second season of Asunder the series, an exciting soap opera that will hopefully be competed by the end of this year.

I want the world to know that you must never give up on your dreams. I would ride the subway when I was younger at times and see the faces of the defeated heading home from work. Miserable, sad people that I felt gave up on their passion. I never want to feel that way or anyone else. Remain positive in your goals even though the odds are stacked against you and believe in your own success. I’m excited for my future and how it will play out as I have faith that the right opportunity will present itself to me in time. All the world is a stage and as I am blessed with opportunites I will bless others. This is the way. Take a really good look at your life. Maybe you have accomplished your dreams, maybe you are still in the process of doing so but never allow others to validate what success is to you. Like the Skylers song, “I Know Myself.” It takes individuality to succeed and I believe that is what I bring to the table along with a dash of Canadian, Caribbean and versatility as well as the courage to think different. There are levels to everything, but if you can say that you did it on any level…you have satisfied your dream.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Okay if you are hanging out with me you are definitely going to have to have some energy cause I like to be active and I get up early (when I’m not in introvert mode being a home body). I like taking long drives around New York and of course I love New York City. There is a lot to see and do and I’m big on sunrises and sunsets. So appreciating the sky is important. In the morning we would visit Columbus Circle/ Central Park pick up a hot chocolate and breakfast sandwich from the vendors and appreciate the different hues in the sky that exist as the sunrises. I packed the rollerblades so we can we can walk (or skate) through the park breathing in fresh air talking about the different sights we see and checking out the many activities that are always going on in the park it’s a great way to find inspiration and just think about life. They also have a carousel and a spot where we can play chess, do you know how to play chess? If not, it’s a great environment to learn.

Then we can head over to a resort high above the city, called the Somewhere Nowhere Rooftop at the Renaissance NY Chelsea Hotel. Chill on the daybeds there and swim enjoying the weather and a few drinks.
By then you will probably be starving so I think the best place to go is Vincent’s in Little Italy for lunch, why cause I like the the mild sauce they put on the Chicken Parmesan! Since we are on the lower east side we can get some ube purple ice cream for dessert from Soft Serve cause it’s the best ever! Then travel through The High Line Park until we get to the Edge and take in the sites like the beehive until the sun goes down at 30 Hudson Yards. They sell great Belgium chocolate there. Yes I’m a chocoholic. For dinner we can head over to downtown Tao I’m gonna have the chicken pad thai cause it’s my favorite. Then we can work that food off at the Tao nightclub and dance the night away!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I believe everyone that comes into your life molds you in someway to become the person that you are but it does start with a foundation. I am a Christian, so I must first acknowledge and dedicate any bit of success or opportunity my story to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I am thankful for the support, encouragement and from my whole family, especially my mother, my father. This also wouldn’t be possible without the support of Adrienne Whaley and the Queens Underground Film Festival who constantly provides opportunities for the undiscovered creatives in Queens, New York and tall over the world. Thank you. Lastly, thank you Shoutout, from the bottom of my heart. I am very grateful. It’s hard to been seen in this industry as it’s very crowded so every little bit helps and what you do matters.

Website: www.knight7.com

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