The Making of You with Deante Young S1 E5 (Make Your Own Way)

Deante Young sits down with Greater Cleveland Film Commission President Bill Garvey to uncover the unlikely journey that took him from a movie-loving kid in Queens to helping build Northeast Ohio into a serious filmmaking destination. Garvey shares how a college filmmaking class changed his direction, why mentors and relationships became critical to his rise, and how experiences on The Sopranos, Law & Order, Shutter Island, and other major productions shaped his approach to leadership. The conversation explores perseverance, work ethic, mentorship, opportunity, and Garvey’s belief that aspiring filmmakers must “make your own way.” Today, his vision extends far beyond movies: he wants Cleveland to become a filmmaking mecca where tens of thousands of people can build sustainable careers.