I'm Devan Shulman, an up and coming filmmaker with a passion for storytelling and a love for the art of visual expression. Born November 25, 2001, in Troy, Michigan, I've been on an incredible creative journey that has led me to explore various aspects of the art of filmmaking.
As a kid, I loved visiting amusement parks (Cedar Point is my favorite!), played lots of video games, and of course, watched plenty of movies. Watching movies with my dad, many of which were highly mature for my age, was my first introduction into the fascinating world of art and cinema, and I was addicted. I was captivated by what I saw on the screen, even when child me could barely even understand what and why something was happening in the story. I explored my own personal creativity by writing short stories, some of them reaching to hundreds of pages, and creating elaborate scenes with action figures and toy soldiers.
In high school, I joined my theater club, and discovered the thrill of acting and the massive effort involved in bringing stories to life on stage. This was the first time I actually met others that shared my interest in performance and storytelling. It opened a whole new world of collaboration and chemistry. But as much as I enjoyed performing, I realized towards the end of my high school career that my true passion laid in crafting the stories themselves. That realization ignited my interest in filmmaking, and in 2020 during the pandemic, with plenty of time to spare, I bought my first Canon DSLR camera.
With the help of online resources and YouTube tutorials, I jumped into photography and editing, grasping and practicing the fundamentals of visual storytelling. Starting with editing short gaming videos, I learned how to make visuals flow and create compelling videos. Davinci Resolve and Blackmagic Design will always have a place in my heart for offering an editing program comparable to Premiere for completely free.
My directorial debut arrived in May 2022, with a buddy crime comedy titled "On the Run" that I wrote, directed, shot, and edited. It was a gratifying experience, and I was motivated to take on more significant projects. In July 2022, I tackled a larger-scale short film, working with a similar tight budget (no budget) and small crew. By February 2023, I embraced my most ambitious project yet - a horror thriller short in my Fiction Filmmaking II class at Grand Valley State University. This project had an actual budget, a dedicated crew, paid actors, and catered meals on set; a significant leap from my earlier independent ventures.
My filmmaking style gravitates towards horror, thriller, and crime genres, often exploring the intricacies of psychological thrillers. I'm deeply passionate about cinematography and editing, which play crucial roles in my creative process. I draw inspiration from the visually arresting and stylized work of Sam Raimi and Edgar Wright, the deeply thematic storytelling of Christopher Nolan, and the enigmatic allure of Stanley Kubrick's masterpieces.
As I step into the world of film festivals, I'm thrilled to meet like-minded individuals and immerse myself in the diverse and inspiring world of filmmaking. My ultimate goal is to purely entertain audiences and deliver unforgettable cinematic experiences. I can't wait to share my stories with the world and see where this creative journey takes me next!