Malik Crumpley is a screenwriter and photographer whose love of film shapes everything he creates. We spoke to him about how he found photography, the filmmakers who inspire him and his best advice for aspiring screenwriters.
What got you into social media?
“At first it was just a way to stay in touch with close friends. On Instagram and TikTok, I enjoy posting photos almost like a personal collection. I also love that TikTok has so much informative and thought-provoking content.”
How did you get into photography and screenwriting?
“Both came naturally to me. I’ve always been a storyteller, because I had a very creative imagination as a kid and still do. I loved watching movies, so I eventually went to school to learn how to create the kinds of stories I enjoyed on screen.
“Photography started as a hobby that I turned out to be good at. I’d see something worth capturing, take a picture, and it would come out exactly how I imagined, or better. I think both passions come from my love of film. Movies taught me to see life through my own lens, and screenwriting and photography let me express that.”
Who inspires you?
“Filmmakers like Jordan Peele, Ari Aster, Sam Levinson, Wes Craven and Edgar Wright. Photography is a newer passion, so I’m still discovering photographers and their work.”
What keeps you motivated?
“Staying motivated isn’t always easy, but my mom and sister are my biggest motivation. They remind me of my worth as an artist, and I want to be able to provide for them and be there for them as much as I can.”
What advice would you give someone starting out in screenwriting?
“Outline and break down your story before you start writing. Like life, every story has simple parts and complex parts, and you need to understand how they work together as naturally as possible. Think through the details so that the bigger moments in your story land in a way that feels relevant and resonant.”
When did you realise you really enjoyed photography?
“It was during college in Savannah, Georgia. When the pandemic hit and everything felt turned upside down, I went on a trip to the Blue Ridge Mountains with friends. I took the first photo of the trip, and looking at it, it felt right to flip it upside down. That became a whole series on my Instagram about that period when life felt flipped. That’s when I noticed how dedicated I was to the craft. I was only using my iPhone, and the photos still looked stunning. I hope to keep developing my photography into something bigger.”
Want to see more of Malik’s work? Follow him on Instagram: instagram.com/universal_sight_/
