Derek Dow‘s story is a testament to how sometimes fate really does lead you to right where you need to be.
A native of Chicago’s Englewood neighborhood, Dow is an actor, filmmaker, poet, and writer as well as a Professor since 2020 at his alma mater, Chicago State University. After graduating from CSU, Dow continued studying film and earned his MFA from the University of Southern California‘s School for the Cinematic Arts. His film, Beyond The Sole, was funded by the Irvin Kershner Fund for Documentary Filmmaking and shed light on the immensely popular and evergrowing sneaker culture.
Dow has since gone on to write and direct award-winning films like The Big Chop, which has garnered the attention of HBO. He’s appeared on television shows like CBS’ “S.W.A.T.” and Showtime’s hit, “The Chi.” Though he’s been a lifelong fan of film, his ushering into the world of filmmaking as a whole was all by chance.
N’DIGO recently interviewed Dow to learn about his career, his philosophy on teaching, and the unexpected turn of events that led him to filmmaking.
N’DIGO: In your own words, who is Derek Dow?
Derek Dow: Derek Dow is a person who is constantly learning, loving, coping, teaching, thriving, existing, waiting, praying, and doing anything else you can think of. I’m grown kid just running around unsupervised.
Three words family and friends would use to describe you are….?
I sent this question to several people, and I picked my favorites: Magnetic, Admirable, and Kind.
What’s the first work that you saw that left an impression on you and made you want to pursue filmmaking?
This is a hard question because I can’t remember all that I have seen so I’ll speak on a film that speaks to me til this day. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve watched the movie Forrest Gump. I remember getting it on VHS. The movie was so long that it had to come on two tapes. I loved the character of Forrest. He wouldn’t give up. It was an innocence about him. It was a strength within him. It was an overall self-acceptance that I pulled from him.
Movie-wise, I marveled at the scenes and how they implanted Forrest in footage from the past. The storytelling just guided me into all these different worlds and experiences. At a young age, it made me yearn to live a full life. If Forrest could do it, so could I. That movie was a game-changer for me. I will say that the older I got, the less I liked Jenny. She was really his biggest OP, if you think about it.
How did you find your way into the world of media?
Let’s say divine intervention. I attended Chicago State University as an undergraduate studying fashion merchandising and out of nowhere, they cut that program. I was devastated. I was told I could transfer to another school, but I couldn’t afford to do it. I was also offered three other options within the University: Art, Education, or CMAT (formally known as Speech.). I said to myself “I can’t draw so no to art.
It was there I was exposed to field production. We would make PSAs and Music videos. I fell in love with the class. My professor at the time, Dr. Christine List, was a real force behind me. She saw my potential and nurtured it. I’m forever extremely thankful to her for that. The rest is History!
Did you always know you wanted to work in education?
Absolutely not! I definitely ran from it as I was trying to be an artist because it felt like I was giving up at the time. I was always scared of the old saying, “Those that can, do. Those that can’t teach.” I’m so thankful that I don’t think that way anymore. I was blocking my blessing. Now, I feel so enriched. I feel like even more of an artist now. Being a teacher forces me to learn new things and keeps me sharp. Being in education has turned me back into a student and has revitalized my creativity. I am thankful I make a living still surrounded by art. Also, I can’t lie…it feels good when people call me Professor Dow.
Please tell us about your work as a Professor at Chicago State University?
I have the pleasure of teaching Intro/Advanced Field Production, African American Cinema, and I also co-moderate a class with my colleague Prof. Smith for the Leo Burnett Agency. Through our partnerships we have gotten our students paid internships and jobs after graduation, Putting knowledge in their brains and money in their pockets is extremely rewarding.
A lot of my work happens outside of the classroom. I try to make myself available for some of their more challenging moments. I try to be a cheerleader and let them know that they matter. It can be challenging for some of our students. Many of them are on their own and trying to figure it out. I know what that feels like. It’s important to me that they know that they aren’t just a check to me and our department as a whole is family in its on little way.
Do you have a personal philosophy in regards to your work with students?
It’s a very basic one. Students are people first. They are going to have their good days and bad days. Some days they are going to be locked in and other days I lose them to their phones, My class is not the end all be all to their day. And we as educators have to be cognizant of that. So I like to lead with humility. Don’t get me wrong; they are still responsible for showing up as the best versions of themselves as much as possible. But it is so important to me that they know they are in a comfortable space around me. I really do believe it breeds more respect for both parties.
Can you share one book and one film that really impacted your life and give a sentence about each?
The Untethered Soul by Michael A. Singer is the book that helped me let go of things from the past. As far as film, no one film changed my life. Film itself is a life changer for me.
What’s something people would be surprised to know about you?
I like to sit in silence a lot, and I’m shy. Also, I’m scared of heights even though I climb mountains.
What is the best advice or words of wisdom for aspiring media professionals?
Nobody knows what they are talking about all the time. If it feels right to you, do it. People put down what they don’t understand, so don’t waste your time trying to convince them. Let your work shine bright for you. They used to say podcasts and web series were a joke, and now, they have started many careers. So, get to it.
Favorite quote or affirmation?
“There are no problems. Only solutions.”
What’s next for Derek Dow?
I am looking forward to ramping up my acting, directing, and overall content creation this coming year. I want to make a feature film with my close friends and students and get it out to the world. I also want to get ripped so I can come out of the ocean in slow motion. *laughs* Above all, I’m letting things just come to me and tending to them as I need to. I’m definitely in my “Flow, Don’t Force” era.
For more information on Derek, please visit his website at www.derekdow.com and connect with him on Instagram at @derekddow.
