17 Ways Ava DuVernay Owned the Decade And You Can Too [Achieve Your New Year’s Goals]

Source: Getty / Getty

Ava DuVernay’s look back over the past ten years of her career is all the inspiration you need to kick-start the new decade and achieve your goals. In a thread of Twitter posts on New Year’s Eve, the director and filmmaker shared her journey over the past decade. Grab a pen and pad — it’s time to #LearnFromAva! Her reflections on her career journey should spark the fire to achieve your New Year’s goals. We’ve highlighted our key take-away points from her posts. Check them out:

1. This is Ava’s past decade. Get ready to take notes!

Thanks to anyone who rooted for me this decade. Who encouraged me. Who worked by my side as crew, exec or cast. Who came to see one of my films or watched an episode. Who shared a kind word in public or smiled at me from afar. Who prayed for me. I’m eternally and deeply grateful. pic.twitter.com/9jFPZ9zT4d
— Ava DuVernay (@ava) December 31, 2019

Source:Twitter

2. [Start Where You Are] People are watching and your time will come.

With momentum from BET, got a job from @Essence to direct the 2010 ESSENCE MUSIC FEST. Had no clue what I was doing, but did it. 16 cameras in the Superdome. Still one of my faves.

That year, I also made a short doc about Katrina survivors for @tvonetv. pic.twitter.com/Uw8ncPcN8O
— Ava DuVernay (@ava) December 30, 2019

Source:Twitter

3. [Always Bet On Yourself] Don’t be afraid to charter unfamiliar territories.

All along, I was taking a script I’d written to studios with the help of Gina + Reggie Bythewood. No one bit.

Started studying indie scripts. Wrote I WILL FOLLOW, used my savings, bartered equipment, distributed within my community, Ebert championed it. pic.twitter.com/xeBkvrM4Zh
— Ava DuVernay (@ava) December 30, 2019

Source:Twitter

4. [Invest in Yourself] While you’re waiting for a seat at the table, build your own seat AND table.

Used the small profits from I WILL FOLLOW to make the script that the studios had denied: MIDDLE OF NOWHERE.

Partnered with my neighbor Howard and made it in 19 days in South Central LA. I remember every day with David, Emayatzy, Omari and the crew. I treasure them. 2011. pic.twitter.com/8C07mnbVeB
— Ava DuVernay (@ava) December 30, 2019

Source:Twitter

5. [Keep Creating] Don’t let rejection stop you.

If there was a moment that changed things, it was getting into + winning at @sundancefest.

I wish it didn’t take this to give myself - and everyone else - confidence in me. But it did.

The next day, I left my job to try to be a full-time filmmaker. 2012. pic.twitter.com/oMPynHIaUs
— Ava DuVernay (@ava) December 30, 2019

Source:Twitter

6. [Know When to Let Go] Believe in yourself and don’t be afraid to move on.

MIDDLE OF NOWHERE was distributed by hand via a community model I founded called AFFRM.

We launched with three nights of dinners at Sundance to discuss the state of black film. Remember that @BarryJenkins?

AFFRM was the seed for what is now @ARRAY. Now, 9 years strong. pic.twitter.com/u3ucFfeGro
— Ava DuVernay (@ava) December 30, 2019

Source:Twitter

7. [Create Opportunities] Look for opportunities, yes, but also create them!

After winning Best Director at Sundance, my phone rang 3 times.

No movies. But three opportunities that were a big deal for me. And for which I am immensely grateful.

The first was @Prada. They offered me the chance to make a fashion film. I called friends. We made THE DOOR. pic.twitter.com/9oUZHlCLlb
— Ava DuVernay (@ava) December 30, 2019

Source:Twitter

8. [Just Say Yes] Say yes to new opportunities — they are part of your development.

The second was given to me by the legend @shondarhimes and the talented director @tomverica. I got to direct an episode of my very favorite show at the time: SCANDAL. @kerrywashington @tonygoldwyn + the cast were kind. The experience made me want to give it to others. pic.twitter.com/fVJ8CnYK2c
— Ava DuVernay (@ava) December 30, 2019

Source:Twitter

9. [Be Flexible] Be flexible to try new things in your career — especially if Shonda Rhimes is asking.

The third post-Sundance gig came from the good folks at @ESPN Films. A documentary for their women-centric spin-off of @30for30.

I pitched them a story most didn’t know involving the great Venus Williams.

VENUS VS was born. I love this film. 2013. pic.twitter.com/LK8pgptTX1
— Ava DuVernay (@ava) December 30, 2019

Source:Twitter

10. [Build, Then Pitch] Build your brand first, and then pitch your ideas.

The next film came because my friend David Oyelowo wanted to play Dr. King.

He convinced the producers to try me after many directors had left the project. I wrote a script for the budget they had, which got it greenlit. And we began.

SELMA. 2014. ✊🏾pic.twitter.com/qyDQiEpzHc
— Ava DuVernay (@ava) December 30, 2019

Source:Twitter

11. [Assess Friend Groups] Hang with more friends who inspire and go hard for you.

After SELMA, I was trying to figure out my next move and spent some lovely time making a series of three commercials with a few superstars thanks to #JimmyIovine.

Mary J. Blige.
Kerry Washington
Taraji Henson
For @AppleMusic
2015pic.twitter.com/tW6yl537Fr
— Ava DuVernay (@ava) December 30, 2019

Source:Twitter

12. [Keep Planning] Take in the moments, yes, but always think about your next move. Growth doesn’t happen without movement.

Then, I got to give the experience I had directing SCANDAL to other women who the industry was not calling. @Oprah encouraged me to create my own show. Warner Bros supported me producing it the way I wanted.

QUEEN SUGAR.
2016.
Still going strong. pic.twitter.com/xw4wBqEbDc
— Ava DuVernay (@ava) December 30, 2019

Source:Twitter

13. [Reach Back] When you make it, remember to give others an opportunity to shine with you.

While making QUEEN SUGAR, I was also making a secret documentary with @Netflix.

It was never announced. No one knew it existed until Kent Jones selected it as the @NYFF Opening Night film. First doc to ever open the fest.

13TH
2016 pic.twitter.com/9J7GPQkWNz
— Ava DuVernay (@ava) December 31, 2019

Source:Twitter

14. [Keep Grinding] Don’t let success stop the grind. Keep building, keep creating, keep doing that thin you love.

Then, Disney invited me onto A WRINKLE IN TIME. I jumped at the chance to work on a film with a black girl saving the universe.

Based on Madeleine L'Engle's 1962 novel. Crew + cast were stellar, especially the exquisite @stormreid.

Tesser Well! ✨
2018 pic.twitter.com/5KW3bS7RLO
— Ava DuVernay (@ava) December 31, 2019

Source:Twitter

15. [Trust The Timing] Keep building. They’re watching. Your time will come!

The Smithsonian invited me to create a film installation for the National Museum of African-American History and Culture that would live at @NMAAHC for the next decade.

I pitched a little known black history fact, called friends and “AUGUST 28” was born.pic.twitter.com/85lW4aY6br
— Ava DuVernay (@ava) December 31, 2019

Source:Twitter

16. [Keep Sowing] You will reap what you sow! You will be honored and paid back for all the work you’ve invested.

I made a short film with Jay-Z for his 4:44 album called FAMILY FEUD.

Called many pals to appear in this project, which imagines a world where the Constitution has been rewritten by women. The story spanned 400 years.

My first + only music video. 2018. pic.twitter.com/ShXP5AtWJY
— Ava DuVernay (@ava) December 31, 2019

Source:Twitter

17. [Take Risks] Don’t be afraid to try something new.

And over the past four years, I worked on the story of 5 boys of color and their families. People who had been demonized and labeled criminals. People who were innocent.

Once known as The Central Park 5. Now, The Exonerated 5.

WHEN THEY SEE US
2019 https://t.co/xStODvV6jK
— Ava DuVernay (@ava) December 31, 2019

Source:Twitter

18. [Stay Hungry] Don’t let success slow you down. Stay hungry, keep creating.

So many beautiful professional moments over the past decade.

A Barbie doll.

Being a part of the Cannes jury.

The cover of Time.

And the most beautiful of all, buying our @ARRAYNow campus and building the @AmandaCinema. pic.twitter.com/KqzkzAwjeu
— Ava DuVernay (@ava) December 31, 2019

Source:Twitter

19. [Stay Humble] Remember, you are not on this journey alone. Show your tribe love.

Thanks to anyone who rooted for me this decade. Who encouraged me. Who worked by my side as crew, exec or cast. Who came to see one of my films or watched an episode. Who shared a kind word in public or smiled at me from afar. Who prayed for me. I’m eternally and deeply grateful. pic.twitter.com/9jFPZ9zT4d
— Ava DuVernay (@ava) December 31, 2019

Source:Twitter