Today we’d like to introduce you to LaTwan Woods.
Hi LaTwan, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I was working at a car wash telling my co worker about my interest in drawing and he introduced me to a guy that worked in the barber shop next door who liked to draw so we decided to make a comic book together. When I got home I found a design I had drawn when I was in job corps and made a story up right then. I showed buddy and we ran a few sketches and ideas back and forth but nothing really came together and eventually we lost touch. From that point on I kept going creating more stories, building more content. I began to go around town showing my work to anyone who would listen. I did everything from presenting my comics at my kids school to putting flyers in mailboxes, and with the help of my team we created a website to sell the comic and related items like t shirts and other stuff, my brother and I made up 2 theme songs, and we shot 2 music videos. We even had a van with the character on it that we drove around town playing the songs and even got one of them played on a local radio station. I started animating and created cartoons that we sold around town on DVD. We eventually signed a deal with a local network and created a new theme song and music video but the company didn’t last very long. I began freelance work doing animations for a few rap music videos, a pilot for a show called Candy girls, and a few episodes for a show by a radio host called Sin City. As well as some drawings on a few different projects here and there as I continued to make my own stuff. Now I am getting ready to launch a new cartoon and some other projects that I’ve been working on soon.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
In everything there are up’s and downs but we just learn from every situation and try to make adjustments. Getting people to take me seriously is a big one. Not much demand for a guy with a cartoon in Steel City but I was fortunate enough to be in a time when the local music scene started booming so I was able to get the attention of a few people that saw the potential in what I was trying to achieve. Now the biggest struggle is time management.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a content creator who draws, edits, writes and records videos but I want to specialize in animation. BlackJack(even the hood needs a hero) is my first series but I later changed the name to the Hav’Nots, so I could put it on the local TV network. I am most proud of my most recent work but I haven’t released it yet. I am very excited about it. I think what sets me apart is my willingness for improvement I am always looking for ways to better my style of work.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
I’d have to start with my brother, Kendall Woods a.k.a K Ro tha MOBSTA, from the start he played a big part in everything we did. My father saw the potential in what I was doing and gave his support. Can’t leave out my boy Raymond Montgomery and Mr. Brian Record they are big parts of our achievements. My wife Maria, who is my biggest cheerleader she came along a made a big impact on the business which led to that first deal. My children got involved helping out more than they could realize. And a few family members and friends. None of these accomplishments would’ve been possible without them.
