Brian Evans

“There is a redemptive power that making a choice has. Make a choice. Just decide what it’s going to be, who you’re going to be, how you’re going to do it. Just decide, and then from that point, the universe is going to get out your way. It’s water; it wants to move and go around stuff. So for me, I want to represent possibilities. I want to represent the idea that you really can make what you want.”

These few words, spoken by Will Smith in an interview with Tavis Smiley, might have just shaken the earth to create a new movement of artists and forward-thinkers in general…and it quite possibly could start with one man, Brian Evans.

Evans, an actor/director/indie filmmaker who has been hustling it hard for ten years in New York City, was prepared to majorly reconsider his life and pursuits before seeing an old interview with Will Smith re-aired this past summer.  In the interview, Smith mildly argued with Tavis Smiley about the power of making a decision over what your life will look like.  His answer to the question concerning his road to success was that he had simply made a choice to have success…and from there, the universe began to rearrange itself.  Evans was so inspired by this interview, and so desperately in need of a project to focus on, that he decided to put the theory to the test in the largest way he could imagine — to “decide” that he will get a meeting with the man himself, Will Smith.

Thus begins the Meeting Mr. Smith project.  Merely two months in the making, Brian Evans is deeply entrenched in filming a documentary about his road toward proving Smith’s theory.  With some noted film and television professionals in major support of his efforts, and interviews with key connectors piling up, it can only be said that this is bandwagon that you want to jump on…because if and when Brian Evans succeeds, it will be a universal accomplishment and inspiration to the masses.

I met with Brian Evans one sunny Sunday recently, and spent the better part of the hour with mouth agape and eyes brightly shining.  Born and raised in Brooklyn, self-taught in all his pursuits and passions, and with a resumé of two complete films made on comparatively no budget, Evans is a walking embodiment of hard work and dedication.  His innovation, though, with the Meeting Mr. Smith project, is what caught my attention so abruptly.  Brian has decided that he will, most definitely, meet Mr. Smith…and it will happen soon.  When I asked him how close he is to completing the film, he pointedly responded, “It is done when I meet Will Smith.”  But he isn’t in it for the long haul here…he intends this process to happen and happen fast.  Working on zero budget, using rent money to fly to various cities for important meetings and introductions, and constantly trying to push publicity and attention for his aid, Brian laughingly explained how he battles with people who tell him to check back in a few months.  “I don’t have a few months!”  he said.  He is driven, to say the least.

In our talk, Brian spoke of how Smith’s words had hit him at a time when he needed them most.  So close to throwing in the towel on his film aspirations, the undeniably coincidental (or not) appearance of the interview gave him new hope…and a new project idea.  Brian said he asked himself  “what is the biggest, most unrealistic dream I could have right now?  Okay, let’s do that.”  So he made a decision.  He made the choice.  He would meet Will Smith.

The project has two key purposes: One, of course, is for Evans to actually get the meeting with Will Smith.  His hope is that, at least, he will gain some helpful insight into the industry and useful tools to further his career.  The second, though, is to inspire.  Brian said he was awed by how much response he had received from people just thanking him for giving them new courage to pursue their own various challenges.  I was one of those people.  Being a craigslist junkie myself, I ran across an ad posted by Brian asking for endorsement or production aid in any way to further the project.  I had no money to give, but in the wee hours of the morning, I immediately wrote an e-mail to him expressing my gratitude for the boost of courage I had gained after seeing his preliminary trailer to the project.  After a short night’s sleep, I decided that wasn’t enough.  I had to meet this guy and find out what was really going on.

Brian has been in contact with people such as Will Smith’s personal manager, Gayle King (close friend of Oprah Winfrey, who is a close friend of Will’s), and even Chris Gardner (the inspiration for The Pursuit of Happyness).  Brian’s next major leaping point is the scheduled interview he has with Gardner himself in the weeks to come.  Evans pointed out that the thrill of the whole process thus far has been that he never knows what will be the tipping point.  Which meeting or interview will be the one that leads him to that long-awaited phone call of interest from Mr. Smith?

In writing this to you readers, I also have two key purposes.  I think it is a fascinating and inspiring story to tell — one that, at the very least, will get you through a few more days of whatever grind your life may be handing you.  But I also want to see how powerful these words might actually be.  What if a phenomenon could be created by simply spreading the word and mission of Brian Evans?  What if all of you readers could be a part of this theory playing out successfully?  I think it is worth the chance.  So, Mr. Smith, if you are reading this, what are you waiting for?  What a powerful message to send to the public by proving that one man can actually imagine the largest goal possible and achieve it in a short span of time.

If you or anyone you know can offer one more step in the journey toward the fruition of this project, e-mail Brian personally at: meetingmrsmith@gmail.com.

Could this be the next major inspirational story?  It most certainly can, and we can all be a part of it.  We just have to decide.