Autism Digest Interview with QPZ

The Autistic Visionary Redefining Music Videos in the Underground Scene

Autism Digest Interview with QPZ

In the dynamic world of music and film, where creativity and innovation reign supreme, Quinton Peters, known as QPZ, is making waves as a visionary music video director. Diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), QPZ has harnessed his unique perspective to craft visually stunning and emotionally resonant music videos for artists like Aryon Jones, Gifted Younsgtaz, Sean The Shaman, and KDoe. His rise to becoming a go-to director in the underground music industry is a testament to the power of neurodiversity, showcasing how autistic traits can fuel creativity and bring fresh perspectives to artistic mediums. Today, we’re excited to dive into QPZ’s story, exploring how his autism shapes his creative process and why neurodiversity is a vital asset in the music and film industries.

A Unique Lens: QPZ’s Journey as an Autistic Director

Quinton Peters, or QPZ, discovered his passion for filmmaking at a young age, drawn to the power of visuals to tell stories and evoke emotions. Growing up with autism, he experienced the world differently, with a heightened sensitivity to patterns, details, and sensory stimuli. These traits, often misunderstood in traditional settings, became his greatest strengths in the creative realm. His autism allows him to approach filmmaking with a distinctive lens, blending meticulous attention to detail with a bold, unconventional style that resonates with the raw energy of the underground music scene.

QPZ’s journey wasn’t without challenges. Navigating social dynamics and industry expectations as an autistic individual required resilience and adaptability. Yet, he turned these challenges into opportunities, using his neurodivergent perspective to stand out in a crowded field. His ability to hyperfocus—a common trait among autistic individuals—enabled him to immerse himself fully in the creative process, from conceptualizing a video’s narrative to perfecting its visual aesthetic. This dedication has earned him a reputation as a director who can translate an artist’s vision into a compelling visual story.

Collaborations with Underground Icons

QPZ’s portfolio is a testament to his talent and the trust he’s earned from artists in the underground music scene. His work with Seattle-based rocker Aryon Jones, known for blending blues, rock, and hip-hop, showcases QPZ’s ability to capture raw emotion and intensity. Videos for Jones, like those for tracks from his album Audio Day Dream, highlight QPZ’s knack for creating gritty, cinematic visuals that amplify the music’s energy. Similarly, his collaborations with Gifted Younsgtaz, a rising hip-hop collective, bring a vibrant, street-smart aesthetic that resonates with their audience.

QPZ’s work with Sean The Shaman and KDoe further demonstrates his versatility. For Sean The Shaman, whose music blends spiritual themes with hip-hop, QPZ crafts videos that weave mysticism and urban grit, creating a visual language that feels both otherworldly and grounded. His projects with KDoe, an artist known for introspective lyricism, showcase QPZ’s ability to translate personal narratives into evocative imagery. These collaborations highlight why QPZ has become a go-to director in the underground scene: his ability to understand an artist’s essence and translate it into visuals that feel authentic and innovative.

How Autism Fuels QPZ’s Creative Process

Autism plays a central role in QPZ’s creative process, providing him with unique strengths that set his work apart. Research, such as a 2017 study by Masataka, suggests that autistic individuals may have enhanced capabilities in aesthetic judgment, particularly in perceiving complex patterns and details. For QPZ, this translates into an ability to notice subtleties in lighting, composition, and rhythm that others might overlook. His videos often feature intricate visual patterns and dynamic editing that sync perfectly with the music, creating an immersive experience for viewers.

His hyperfocus allows him to dive deeply into each project, spending hours refining shots or experimenting with color palettes to evoke specific moods. This attention to detail is particularly valuable in the underground music scene, where authenticity and originality are paramount. QPZ’s autism also gives him a unique perspective on storytelling, often emphasizing sensory experiences and non-traditional narratives that resonate with audiences seeking something fresh and unconventional.

Moreover, QPZ’s experience as an autistic individual informs his ability to connect with artists who often feel like outsiders themselves. The underground music scene is filled with voices that challenge mainstream norms, and QPZ’s own journey as a neurodivergent creator allows him to empathize with their struggles and aspirations. This empathy translates into videos that feel deeply personal, amplifying the artist’s message in ways that feel authentic and unfiltered.

The Importance of Neurodiversity in Music and Film

QPZ’s story underscores the critical role of neurodiversity in the music and film industries. Neurodiversity, a term coined to describe the natural variation in human neurological conditions like autism, ADHD, and dyslexia, is increasingly recognized as a source of creative strength. A 2020 Rolling Stone article highlighted how artists like Florence Welch and Billie Eilish have embraced their neurodivergent identities, noting that the music industry is beginning to value these perspectives. Similarly, QPZ’s work demonstrates how neurodivergent individuals bring unique skills—such as pattern recognition, intense focus, and unconventional thinking—to creative fields.

In film, autistic perspectives can challenge traditional storytelling norms, offering new ways of seeing and experiencing the world. The Autism Through Cinema project, for example, explores how autistic aesthetics—such as a focus on sensory details or non-human elements like backgrounds and objects—can reshape cinematic language. QPZ’s videos embody this approach, often prioritizing mood, texture, and rhythm over conventional narratives, creating a sensory-rich experience that aligns with the music’s emotional core.

However, the industry still has work to do to fully embrace neurodiversity. Autistic individuals face significant barriers, with 60-85% unemployment rates reported by the Autism Research Center at Cambridge University. Initiatives like Universal Music’s Creative Differences handbook aim to address this by promoting inclusive workplaces, but representation in front of and behind the camera remains limited. QPZ’s success is a powerful counterpoint, proving that neurodivergent individuals can thrive in creative roles when given the opportunity to showcase their talents.

Challenges and Triumphs in the Underground Scene

Working in the underground music industry comes with its own set of challenges, from limited budgets to the pressure to stand out in a niche market. For QPZ, navigating these challenges as an autistic director requires balancing his creative vision with the practical demands of production. His ability to hyperfocus can be a double-edged sword—while it fuels his creativity, it can also lead to burnout if not managed carefully. Yet, QPZ has turned these challenges into opportunities, using low-budget constraints to push his creativity and deliver visually striking videos that rival mainstream productions.

His autism also influences how he collaborates with artists. Clear communication and mutual understanding are key, and QPZ’s direct, detail-oriented approach ensures that he and his collaborators are aligned on the project’s vision. This clarity is particularly valuable in the underground scene, where artists often seek directors who can amplify their unique voices without imposing mainstream polish.

A Call for Greater Inclusion

QPZ’s story is a call to action for the music and film industries to embrace neurodiversity fully. The Neurocultures Collective, a group of autistic artists, emphasizes the importance of “nothing about us, without us,” advocating for authentic representation and involvement in creative processes. QPZ’s work aligns with this principle, as he brings his lived experience as an autistic individual to every project, ensuring that his perspective shapes the narrative.

By celebrating neurodivergent creators like QPZ, the industry can move toward more inclusive storytelling that reflects the diversity of human experience. Films like I Used to Be Famous (2022), which features autistic actors, show the value of authentic representation, while documentaries like Neurodiversity in Music: Improving Access highlight the need for systemic change to support neurodivergent creatives. QPZ’s success is a step in this direction, proving that neurodivergent voices can lead the way in creating innovative, impactful art.

Connect with QPZTo explore QPZ’s portfolio and stay updated on his latest projects, check out his YouTube channel:

• YouTube: QPZ Productions

Quinton Peters, aka QPZ, is more than a music video director—he’s a trailblazer proving that neurodiversity is a superpower in the creative arts. His autism has shaped his unique approach to filmmaking, allowing him to create visually captivating and emotionally authentic videos for artists like Aryon Jones, Gifted Younsgtaz, Sean The Shaman, and KDoe. In the underground music scene, where originality is king, QPZ’s work stands out as a testament to the value of diverse perspectives. His story challenges the music and film industries to embrace neurodivergent talent, fostering a future where all voices are celebrated. As QPZ continues to push boundaries and redefine what’s possible, he’s not just directing videos—he’s directing a movement toward greater inclusion and creativity.