The Interview: 50 Questions with Edwin Walker

(Photo Credit: Nick Moody/Copacetic Visuals Photography) 

Edwin Walker is no stranger to Perfectionist Wannabe. You can read his first interview (when he was 27) and his latest interview (at the age of 35) to see how he’s still living the journey in pursuit of the dream that is ever-evolving.

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50 Questions

Name 5 books that helped shape you.

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
All About Love by Bell Hooks
Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell 
James Baldwin Artist on Fire by W.J Weatherby
The Artist’s Way by  Julia Cameron 

Name 5 films since 2015 that you saw that moved you and why.

  1. Room (2015) by Lenny Abrasmson  – This film touched on what trauma truly does to us. It was a moving film about love and it humanized our rawest emotions. 
  2. Get Out (2017) Directed by Jordan Peele – A true masterpiece in telling a story in such a unique way. I will never forget my first time watching this film and the ride it took me on.
  3. Sorry to Bother You (2018) Directed by Boots Riley – This film was so different and wild. An artistic compelling deep dive into ​​capitalism, race relations, and modern forms of slavery.
  4. Parasite (2109) Directed by Bong Joon Ho – I was truly moved by the creativity and nuanced elements of this powerful story of class conflict and wealth inequality. 
  5. Premature (2019) Directed by Rashaad Ernesto Green – This was a brilliant moving story of the innocence and fragility of love.

What do you do in life? 

I’m a Multi hyphenated Creative Architect, Artist, and Filmmaker. Creating whatever I can create that’s dope, telling stories, curating, and facilitating infinite possibilities. 

Coffee or tea. Tea 

How many stories have you written? Over 50 short stories, short films, features, TV pilots, and vignettes.  

Favorite cartoon. Anything Looney Tunes.

How many movies have you been a part of? 6

What are 2 things on your bucket list? Smoke a joint with Beyonce and Jay Z and to hike Mount Kilimanjaro

Favorite book. The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

Favorite author. Octavia Butler 

Favorite movie. City of God, directed by Fernando Meirelles & Katia Lund 

Favorite actor/actress. Jeffery Wright & Viola Davis

(Photo Credit: Nick Moody/Copacetic Visuals Photography) 

 Last vacation. Peru 

Next vacation. Panama 

Favorite place in the world. East Africa ( Any Country there) 

Favorite city. New York City 

Favorite song. My Cherie Amour by Stevie Wonder

Favorite restaurant. Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen 

Favorite food. Anything that’s Pasta

Favorite drink. Moscow Mule

Favorite TV show. Martin 

TV or Film. Film

Favorite project you worked on. FX’s Atlanta

Person that inspired you the most. Honestly, myself. 

Book you recommend to others. The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*uck by Mark Manson

Cilantro? Or no? Yes, Cilantro 

Favorite moment in your life so far. Traveling to the continent of Africa, all 3 times.

Name one place you would like to visit. Tokyo

Advice you live by. Bask in L.I.F.E (Live In Freedom Everyday)

Advice you would give to your teenage self. Slow down man, enjoy these years.

Biggest impact Chicago has had on you. It’s kept me grounded and authentic to myself and others. 

Biggest impact Hollywood has had on you. It’s taught me to know who the hell you are and own your work and identity. 

Would you ever do theater? Of course, I started out doing theater and stopped, but I plan on returning one day and making it to Broadway in the future, God willing.

Favorite film festival. South by Southwest

 Favorite artist. Jean-Michel Basquiat

Name an artist you think everyone should be following. Myself – Edwin Walker x E. Micheaux 

Your social media go to. Instagram

Favorite filmmaker. Oscar Micheaux 

(Photo Credit: Nick Moody/Copacetic Visuals Photography) 

Which project challenged you the most? Caged Birds

What do you do to relax? Meditate, walk, read and rest for half a day once a week.

Morning person or night person? Night

Streaming or in theater kind of person? Both

Favorite movie snack. Any gummy candy 

Coolest celebrity you’ve met so far. Tom Hanks

Best advice someone in the industry gave to you. “It’s a marathon journey, not a sprint so pace yourself, slow and steady wins the race.”

First movie you loved. The Lion King

First crush. Kyla Pratt

Person (alive or dead) you would love to meet. Tupac 

Do you get imposter syndrome? Nope

Do you get nervous right before you get on stage or get in front of the camera? Of course, I thrive off my nerves and excel in the moment.

Best advice a friend has given to you. Don’t ever change, keep being yourself!

What’s next? So much, we are traveling the country with the “PreSchool To Prison” documentary project. I’m curating art/photo exhibitions, and dinner parties with artists and brands with Lab Eighty 8. I’m shooting a documentary series titled “E’s Global Quest” where I’m traveling to places around the world, meeting new people, learning about culture and cuisine from my POV.  I’m producing and directing a feature documentary titled “Every Second Saturday In August” about the enriching chronicle of an annual vibrant celebration of black culture on the South-Side of Chicago. Along with prepping a feature film titled “Love’s Intention” that I’m praying to get cameras rolling Summer 2024 in Chicago. I have so much to be grateful for.