Meet Myles Dante | Director of Photography & Editor

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

Hi Myles, we’d love to hear about a book that’s had an impact on you.
One of the most important books I have read was “The Book of Five Rings” written by Miyamoto Musashi. One of the last living Samurai. The book is about his life story and how he handled all of the battles throughout his life. It had a massive impact on me as a creative because it opened my mind to different problem solving methods, how to analyze situations, and how to execute my ideas to the best of my abilities. While filming a video is not a duel with katanas, there are a lot of teachings that transfer over to the life of an artist. I enjoyed it because Martial Arts, is still art. Operating a camera to me is in this weird way, a martial art itself, that I will always be a student of and never a master.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Before I was a videographer, I was actually a professional percussionist. I earned my Music Performance Bachelors from the University of North Florida. After a few years of playing and working at a recording studio I ended up injuring my left shoulder in an accident and needed surgery. What was supposed to be a 4 hour posterior labrum surgery turned into an 8 hour posterior and anterior labrum operation. According to the doctor and photos, I had no labrum tissue connecting around my entire shoulder. In my mind I thought I would not be able to work for maybe three months and I could get back to it. The reality was my recovery took 6 months before I could even play drums again or go back to work. During my recovery period, I got this crazy idea that I could buy a camera, take pictures of my friends bands, and continue to work without really messing myself up. Little did I know that I finally found my passion. I poured every ounce of my being into the art form. I would go to shows in a sling with my camera on a strap taking pictures one handed! Out of the complete necessity to work, my urge to keep being creative, and my tenacity to never give up, I cultivated a skill set I thought I would never have. This sets me apart from a lot of other videographers in many ways. One being that I can dial into a music video, match my shots to the music, and interact with the clients better than another videographer whos never played music. Also, having the years of experience in one art form, made picking up another generally easy. Till this day I still do not know if this was what I was meant to do my whole life, or if everything I have done led me up to this point. All I know is that I truly love what I do and I am glad I got hurt. Since then, I have gone on to winning “Best Videographer of Jax” in the Folio and Void magazines in Jacksonville, as well as two of my music videos winning awards.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
A week long trip in Jacksonville? First stop is “The Elbow” in downtown Jax. It is a area filled with great places to eat and see live shows. Spliffs, 1904 Music Hall, Ocean Street tacos, Dos Gatos, and The Underbelly are all within one block of each other and it is a spot you can easily find me! There is always a show going on to see, and the food places are open late so you can still grab some grub close by before you head home. For sure though, if drinks are to be had, I would take my friend to “The Volsted.” A little speak easy hidden behind a barber shop that plays black and white movies while you get some of the best libations in the whole city. They have a new menu every season and always have some wild drink. Currently the wild drink is called a “Duck around and Find out”, served in a mini bath tub, a little rubber duck you get to keep, and it even fizzes and like a bubble bath would! Since were in Florida we would also have to go to Jax beach and hit a spot called “BBQ Sticks.” A Filipino spot with the absolute best lumpia in town. To kick off the end of the trip we would go get some cajun seafood boil at a place called “The Big Crab”. Place is so serious you are gonna make a mess that you get a bib before you eat. You leave wanting to pass out with your bib on its so good.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
In my videography career, one of the most important people to my success has been my friend Charles Griggs. Ever since day one, Charles has guided me along the path of being a successful artist. Every time I had a unique issue with a client, needed help with an edit, or needed some feedback on a project, he is right there to give me the critiques I needed to keep growing and always pushing forward. While Charles has always been a help on the artistic side of my career, someone else who deserves some credit is Greg Hersey. Without him, I would of been homeless last year with no where to go after some tragic life events. With open arms he gave me a room to stay and a place to keep going and not have to put my career on the side line. Without the both of them, I would not have gone from making small time music videos to working on network television shows.

x

Website: mylesdante.com

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

Facebook: facebook.com/mylesdante21

Image Credits
@superchuckphoto – Charles Griggs @slambur – Amber Lewis