Stephen Stix Josey is definitely one of the greats! I have interviewed him many of times and let me tell you it gets better every time. There is always something industry wise that Stix has his hand in. Let me give you a little update for the newcomers on Mr. Josey! I first met Stix about three years ago and it was hard to get to him. I wanted to interview him so bad but he was beyond busy with work. I finally got him to pay attention to me and we’ve been rocking since! He is now my mentor. I must say his journey is amazing.
His award-winning film, Angels Around Me, Stix won for Best First Time Director at the 2012 Philadelphia Independent Film Festival. The funny thing is that Stix didn’t even know he had won until he got home. He received a phone call that he didn’t pick up his award. I know that was a great surprise! Mr. Josey not only directs but he is an exceptional writer, producer, and actor. He realized that he wanted to be in the entertainment business when he was just a child. Just shy of four years old, Stephen had a love of music that ranged from dancing to playing with drumsticks. Who knew that even as a child, you would make it big with music! Stephen has worked with many of the big names such as John Legend, Mob Deep, and more.
Recently, Stix just finished filming a movie called Happy Hour with Mr. Trae Ireland, started a movie called You Didn’t Know, also working on a movie currently called Temporary Files, and will be doing another film called The Hills. Stix is working with Ruth Carter who is also a Massachusetts native, who was the costume designer of some great films such as The Butler and Malcolm X. Mrs. Carter is co-producing the film Temporary Files with Stephen. Ms. Carter just wrapped up a movie with the legendary Spike Lee and will be working on other films with Stephen. One of the things that have always inspired me with Stephen was his persistence and consistency. Being in film for just two years, he’s already done 6 films, has distribution for some of them and is looking for do 4 more films for the upcoming year and wants to star in at least 6 more. Wow, talk about blessed and being busy! In the upcoming year, Stephen also will be getting back into music by doing soundtracks and producing again. I will say that he is very gifted with the beats! I watched a clip of him making his own beat in about five minutes. I was impressed! To be able to something that will take most a few days, he got it done in a flash. That’s what I call true, natural talent! Stephen has produced over 50 albums!
During the interview with Stix, he mentioned that his mother had passed away a couple months ago. I remember during the Who’s On Your Side premiere, his mother was there to watch her son’s movie. Stephen says, “ I wanted her to share the moment with me and see my live one of my dreams.” Stephen says that while he wrote the script he wrote a scene where a man was abusing a woman. Stephen’s mother was in an abusive relationship once. Stix says, “ It was therapy for me. But, in the film friends telling her she didn’t have to take that supported the woman. The look in her eyes was great.”
I always ask Stephen about giving advice to people who are trying to get into the business. He says, “ I will always help anyone because you never know who will help you one day. Stay humble and learn the craft inside and out. It’s always 2% talent, 98% business and 100% faith!” Stephen says he’d love to work with Quincy Jones and Penny Marshall who is a great director. “ I love the things that these people do. They are so talented”, Stix says. Over the years film has changed so much. Today the opportunity has broadened for a lot of people to become filmmakers especially in the independent film. Stix says, “ Film has changed a lot today from when I was coming up. Now we are able to take a piece from mainstream and Hollywood and make it great. Independent film makes can make it too and have options.” I couldn’t agree more. Stephen has gotten distribution for most of his films, won awards and he’s doing them independently! See, some things do change for the better! Stix says, “ We are learning the business more and more every day. If you’re going to emulate someone, emulate the ones that are doing it now like Warner Bros, Paramount, and Dream Works.” Stix’s goal is to become his own entity. He states, “ I’ll be going to California shortly doing some work. I’ve done films in other states but Hollywood is where it begins and ends.” Stephen Stix Josey has been in the game for well over 20 years, he’s seen, heard and witnessed it all in both music and film. He will continue to reach for the stars and become an entity.