From “McGraw Ave” to “Indictment: Who Is Johnathan Carter?”, DeJuan Ford has a stellar repertoire of independent projects and films under his belt, and the road he’s taken into the world of film production has kept audiences at the edge of their seats. As a “cable guy-turned-entrepreneur”, DeJuan Ford is always looking for ways to bring stories to life and make others’ dreams come true, and as he further commits himself to his passion for storytelling, he’s putting Detroit’s independent film culture on the map. With the recent release of “First Lady 3”, the final installment of the “First Lady” series starring Nicole “Hoopz” Alexander in her returning role of Maria, his fans and audiences are waiting for more. They won’t have to wait much longer; DeJuan Ford is always looking out for resources to share and stories to tell.
Though DeJuan Ford’s knowledge around the film industry and world of storytelling are what make him a natural in the world of production, that knowledge was planted and cultivated throughout his life, beginning with his childhood in his hometown of Detroit. Before his debut into the world of production, he was an actor, with dreams of being on the big screen. “My mother worked at the movie theater when I was growing up,” he fondly recalls. “My sibling and I basically grew up in the movie theater. We pretty much lived there. We would spend days bouncing from theater to theater, watching movies.”
He started acting shortly after, being cast in lead roles for school plays and, eventually, seeing his on-screen dreams come to life with his role in Dennis Reed’s “First Lady 2”. But the road through the film world never comes without hindrances. “I auditioned and won a huge role with Mula Films,” Ford says. “I was cut after the first table read.” Not having been cut before, he was initially upset about the outcome of the casting process— but that was the setback that brought Ford into production. “After speaking with a few people within [Mula Films’] organization, the message became clear,” he recounts. “My purpose in this industry is bigger than just being an actor. The Detroit independent film culture needed more executive producers, more people willing to invest their resources into bringing these projects to life.” That’s where Ford stepped in.
Today, DeJuan Ford is a serial producer with a particular gift for identifying a great story, no matter the genre. And while production still comes with its challenges, he wouldn’t have it any other way. “When you genuinely have a passion for it, the process is fun,” he says, “and the end result is rewarding.” Ford is continuing to follow through on his plans to share his stories and blessings with others. Film, he notes, has a uniquely broad impact. “I have some really provocative and controversial scripts that I am working on as we speak,” he notes. Considering “First Lady 3”—among everything DeJuan Ford has put his hands on—we won’t want to miss what he has to come. Audience advisory: stay tuned.
Don’t wait— watch “First Lady 3”, available on Tubi TV if you haven’t seen it already! To keep up with DeJuan Ford and the work he has coming, be sure to follow him on Instagram @DeJuanFord and Facebook!