An Inspired Chat with Isiah Barnes of Midland

Isiah Barnes shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Hi Isiah , thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What is a normal day like for you right now?
I love this question and I’ll gladly give some insight. I have a beautiful daughter who just turned 1.5 years old, so I’m completely at her mercy lol I’m a full time father as well as a full time filmmaker. So between her walks, Ms. Rachel, and diaper changes she keeps me busy until she naps. And I find moments to sneak for business if something important happens or a problem arises. But I tend to schedule all of my work meetings during her naps and the afternoons when I get my other 2 boys and wife get home to help relieve her a bit. So majority of my emails, film work happens early day, afternoons and nights. And every day is different, but generally it’s a balancing act between being father/husband to be and Filmmaker.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Absolutely, and I’m glad to introduce myself to the new awesome people here. Well I’m not anymore special than anyone of you, I put my pants on one leg at a time too lol

But I do have a very unique and fun career and would love to share that for inspiration purpose. I’m a professional filmmaker out of Michigan, and owner of Reigning Talent Productions. I started with acting at the age of 7 and I grew up in the theater doing more shows than I could count. And I’m the kid who just never wanted to give up on their dream and just find a job. So after that I challenged myself and take a step up to the industry of film at 19. I started with doing local movies and shortly after I wrote and Produced my first film “That Wasn’t supposed to happen” in 2018. After that movie came out, it ended getting accepted into 6 international film festivals and ended up winning Best Narrative feature at the Cinema World Fest Awards in 2020 in Los Angeles. That opened many doors and access to the new film world, so over the next few years I essentially quadrupled down on the formula. Found some amazing people, truly the best talent behind and in front of the camera in Michigan after I wrote my 2nd feature film. Now we have Produced it, it also makes me so nervous because it is my directorial debut but we are on schedule to finish it this month. The movie is starring Omar Gooding, Richard Pryor Jr, Nate Brassfield and Jesi Jensen, it will be in theaters next year.

Okay, so here’s a deep one: What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
I hate to sound cliche, but the biggest factor in my entire journey has been God. He’s been not only the best relationship but during the unsure times, the struggle, getting screwed over, backstabbed and turned on by people you trusted…God has made sure to show me step by step that I’m on the right path and without him I would’ve given up many moons ago

Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Many moments of quitting or wanting to throw in the towel happen during your journey. Whether you’re in real estate, finance, restaurant, retail or anything in between…That option is always on a gold plate that looks so easy to grab but yet has the most devastating consequences. Because every action has a reaction, just as every every choice has a consequence. Too many to count but even a couple examples where times seemed unbearable and I didn’t know how I was going to move on. During the first run of the film I’m currently shooting, we bad producer and director who turned on me after I gave them the opportunity, snuck around talked behind my back to my whole leading cast. And in one afternoon I lost 9 essential crew members and my top 4 leading cast. Along with 10s of thousands of dollars they were paid, I was devastated. And I didn’t know how I recover, but I prayed for a long time. Months and by the grace of God I found the right people, literally a much more talented cast and and crew cus we got more capital. And led us to the success we are on the trajectory to having and It also gave me the courage to step into the directors chair. So every mistake or bad thing that happened I am thankful for.

So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Where are smart people getting it totally wrong today?
I love this question for many different reasons…

So this is my UNPOPULAR opinion but mine nonetheless. So I think most smart people are getting wrong is thinking there is only one way to success. Go to college, get a job, save money, etc…

I know we were all taught that including myself but I always challenged that logic. Now if you want to be a doctor, lawyer, educator, dentist, one of those traditional trades that require degrees this is not talking about those folks. These are for the others who don’t fit into that intellectual category. There are WONDERFUL trade schools for plumbing, mechanic, carpentry, welding, I think we as a society have forgotten about these fantastic trade jobs that don’t require degrees. But even the smaller category which I’m in is the Alternative careers; Singers, Actors, Dancers, fashion designers, stand up comedians, Directors, all of these alternatives careers shouldn’t be looked down at or a hobby. Personally I think if kids/teens were given a platform to hone their skills to chasing a dream like that, I think there should be a path for them. There’s more than one way to success and most respectfully don’t give other options much weight.

Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What are you doing today that won’t pay off for 7–10 years?
I don’t believe in short term thinking or aiming small. Everything big that was ever created, invented or brought to the world took many years and decades to get to that level. So for me personally, I want to be at the helm of a multi media film Studio that is the biggest not only in the Midwest as far as critical and commercial success with the films. But impact on the world and community and something large like that takes many years of planning and strategy so that is about 5-7 or so years away but going to step everyday towards that goal.

Image Credits
Negative images