Today, we have the pleasure of interviewing Alexander Freeman. He is a Filmmaker with cerebral palsy. He is also the Founder, CEO, President, and Owner of OUTCAST PRODUCTIONS.
Can you please tell us about your journey?
Ever since I was little, I have been driven to tell stories and take what was in my mind and make it a reality in art that would touch people. I think it’s because of having cerebral palsy; I knew that people were looking at me differently and judging me, so I felt like if I could use art to communicate what was in my head, I could prove myself and my abilities to the world. I explored many art forms, including painting and sculpture, but it’s only when I took a high school video production class that I found my medium. I was lucky to be introduced to the producers at No Limits Media who became interested in my work and started me on the road to success by providing me resources to make my first short film, The Raven. In particular, the producer Steve Marx mentored me in the craft of filmmaking throughout the entire process. After eight years in college, I got my BA in Film Production with a concentration in Directing from Emerson College because I had transferred from two other schools. After college, I struggled to get a job in the entertainment industry, but I kept looking. Finally, I decided that I would just start my own company, work on my schedule and create content rarely seen in mainstream media, so I began OUTCAST PRODUCTIONS. My feeling has always been and will always be that a story is not worth telling if it doesn’t send an important message about the world we live in and the people in this world. It is also not worth telling if the audience doesn’t become inspired to make the world a better place or change their perceptions.
Not everything in my life has been good, and there have been many problems with just getting the care that I need to live life and there have been times when I was in such a dark place mentally that I felt like I was looking at a gaping hole with no bottom, but I pushed on. Today I am a proud father and a husband and happy.
I have been fortunate to have received a lot of help from my family, teachers, therapists, mentors, friends, and caregivers through the years, and I am so grateful to them because they were and still are critical to my life and how I got to where I am now. We can’t do anything alone in life, and we are only stronger when we let others help us and thank everyone who got us there. The way to give back is to help others in return, which I intend to do.
Living with Cerebral Palsy and Filmmaking
Please tell us about your Company.
I started OUTCAST PRODUCTIONS because I am committed to giving people who are often invisible a voice who don’t always have one. OUTCAST PRODUCTIONS is a production company that produces short films, documentaries, and series focused on human interest and social justice stories. Check out my exclusive short content by signing up for a monthly subscription at https://outcastproductionsco.vhx.tv. Also, check out my production company website at https://www.outcast-productions.com.
On May 16, 2021, I am releasing my new dark comedy web series called The Afterlife Office. Buy it without ads on Vimeo On Demand https://vimeo.com/ondemand/theafterlifeoffice.
In 2022, I will be releasing my new documentary about disability, employment, and love called Indomitable. Check out the website at https://www.indomitabledocumentary.com for more information.
I have also released a documentary about disability and sexuality called The Last Taboo. Rent and Buy it without ads on Vimeo On Demand https://vimeo.com/ondemand/thelastaboo.
What are the strategies that helped you become successful in your journey?
The strategies that helped me become successful were not listening to the people who told me that I couldn’t achieve my goals, focusing on what I was good at, and making others believe in my vision and what I was trying to do. People need to just understand that everyone has purpose and value, and if you can get to know someone and look past appearances, you will find endless potential.
Fantastic! So tell us, how can people find out more about you?
You can check out OUTCAST PRODUCTIONS Exclusive Social Justice Short Video Content and Sign up for a monthly subscription: https://outcastproductionsco.vhx.tv.
You can check the Indomitable website for more information: https://www.indomitabledocumentary.com.
Indomitable’s Twitter handle is @indomitable2022, and my Twitter handle is @ajfreeman061987. Indomitable’s Instagram handle is @indomitablemovie and my Instagram handle is @alexanderjamesfreeman.
Thank you so much for giving us your precious time! We wish you the best for your journey ahead!