Interviews
The ComeUp Breakdown With Sebastian Thiel
Jemima Hunter
August 17, 2021
In our inciteful interview with the “Dreaming Whilst Black” director Sebastian Thiel, we set about getting him to recount the steps he took to find himself in the position he is in today – an award-winning producer. Thiel founded Upshot Entertainment in his late teens and has since provided award-winning entertainment productions commissioned by the BBC.
Let’s take an in-depth look at how Thiel achieved the career many of us dream of and how, if you apply yourself, you too may be able to fulfill your dream, whatever it may be.
The path you envision for your future might change but take any opportunities you’re given; it may end up being the better route.
Thiel imagined a life as an NBA player originally, but almost ‘fell into’ working in the media industry after a sponsor pulled out of his basketball team and Upshot Entertainment began gaining more attention. This was the moment Thiel decided to switch his energies into his new career route and this approach certainly seems to have paid off.
Showcase your work to the fullest, use the platforms available to make your work accessible
YouTube was a massive platform for Thiel and allowed him to share the Upshot Entertainment series and other personal interest content to attract and create a growing audience for his work. At the time Thiel was not aware of film festivals etc, so he used the platforms he had available. This was over ten years ago and so the range of applications has grown unquestionably since then.
Find your inspiration; what gets your creativity flowing
Thiel discussed with us how he’s heavily inspired by music, in particular with artists like Kendrick Lamar and Jay Cole. Motivated by others doing ‘amazing things’ and by the relationships he surrounds himself with, Thiel exclaimed ‘I get a lot of stories from around me all the time, I always find sneaky ways to put them within my content.’
Don’t focus on achievements, focus on the now
The director considers the journey towards his goals to be the real achievement and tries to always ‘keep things moving.’ Although fortunate to have won awards, Thiel doesn’t get hung up on the prize and believes it’s whether you enjoy the voyage which provides the result that counts.
What makes you, you?
Although Thiel has small glimpses of memories from his childhood in Zambia. Thiel trusts the culture and values from his Zambian, Malawian upbringing and believes it played a big part in who he is today. ‘From, you know, from the food to just how, how you interact, how you see things, I definitely feel it influenced me.’
Don’t keep critics comments close to your heart
It’s inevitable that some people are going to love the work you produce, and some are going to dislike it, but the key is not to please everyone and do what you’re proud of. Although Thiel has dealt with comments from the internet community he believes the way to overcome setbacks is to keep pushing forward. ‘It’s just like, if you’ve done your best, then that’s your best. Yeah. That’s all you can do.’
‘It’s also like taking the value of what people are saying, if there is value, you know, some have comments or thoughts about your work. Some of it might be valid, some of it might be true, we might be able to take value from that and evolve.’
‘Don’t stop creating’
Thiel’s supportive audience incites him to continue to search for opportunities and ways to create. Even if you have to work another job on the sidelines Thiel believes that you have to keep going and experimenting to get you where you want to be.
‘I think that the more you create, the more you know, people see your work, they’ll understand what you’re about, the more you will attract opportunities.’
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