Biography
Calvin J Walker is a multi-disciplined artist with one singular goal: creating work that can change the world.
Changing the world has meant many things over the span of his artistic journey. Born in Lubbock, TX, Calvin became acquainted with the idea that art has power when he read his first Langston Hughes poem, "I, Too." It was then that he found that words and art are tools that can shape the world we live in. With Hughes as his benchmark, there was no way that Calvin couldn't lean into a poetic writing style that has been awarded in various festivals and competitions. Most recently, Calvin was awarded the "Screenwriter of the Year" at the Austin Revolution Film Festival for his comedic television pilot, "No Fats, No Fems." Calvin has written screenplays for producers in Amsterdam, Nigeria, and North America. Through thorough research and discipline, he has been able to create stories across cultural lines that cut to the heart and speak to our common humanity.
Calvin began directing in 2012; his first short film, "Somewhere," was a modern retelling of Abraham and Sarah. It explored the discomfort of striking out into the unknown. The film gave him a chance to cut his teeth and start shaping his voice. Three years later, with his short film "Coda," it was easy to see that the voice was finally developing and clearer. With a theatrical background, an obsession with French films, and a love of Spike Lee and Gordon, Calvin's style was very Cinema Verite. He wanted the camera to be in the room but never too intrusive. Calvin's goal is always to give space for his characters to be. He wants their lives to tell the stories and not slick camera tricks and flashy edits. Over the last decade, Calvin has won various awards for directing. His short film "Checkout Time" was honored with an honorable mention at the prestigious Roxbury International Festival.
In 2022, Calvin returned to his first love, theatre. He directed Dr. John Shevin Foster's "Plenty of Time" at the historical Jubilee Theatre in Fort Worth. The play was critically acclaimed and earned Calvin a Best Director nomination by a local theatre organization.
Calvin is a writer, director, casting director, singer, and a few other things. However, the thing he is above all else is an artist. He's a disciplined artist committed to telling stories and creating safe places for other artists to collaborate and tell stories. Calvin's greatest creation, by far, is his beautiful family.
