Meet Josh Gibert of Exousia Pictures

Today we’d like to introduce you to Josh Gibert.

Can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today. You can include as little or as much detail as you’d like.
I come from a family of characters. 

I’m from the Detroit-metro suburbs. My Dad was an auto-motive CEO turned mega-church pastor. My mom balanced homeschooling my sisters and me, mentoring inner-city youth, and getting a million degrees, one of them being a tea sommelier. 

When I was seven, I started creating make-believe radio comedy programs. I had a keyboard that produced different sound effects and I would record myself playing multiple characters. Some of the topics I would weave into my stories included Persian belly dancers, weapons of mass destruction, and noir-ish wannabe detectives. I was sort of making podcasts before that was a thing. 

Before I had a great understanding of arithmetic, I remember being envious of Elvis’ effect on live audiences, fascinated by the culture clash fueling Jackie Chan’s Rush Hour and hypnotized by fine dining. I wasn’t allowed to watch kiddie programming or R-rated movies so I dove into Indiana Jones, old school musicals, and cartoons like Speed Racer. I would also sneak and watch gangster movies like Scarface. 

My real world was informed by a cocktail of reformed criminals, trust fund babies, mystical martial artists, bodybuilders, inner-city escapees, and desperate housewives. 

I grew up watching both my parents juggle speaking to thousands, managing budgets, reviewing marketing strategies, and creating inspirational programming for the largest multi-cultural congregation in the city. In my twenties, I led the media and marketing team of my Dad’s church and performed in church theatrical productions. 

In high school, I fell in love with film design and 50’s melodramas like East of Eden and started shooting short films. 

After graduating from the University of Michigan, I worked on developing my style and expanding my portfolio. I wanted to go to LA with purpose, a strong POV, and an irresistible portfolio. I set a goal to excite an audience with both laughter and tears within the minutes of each other. Months later, my feature dramedy script Vanilla-Chocolate earned recognition from the Sundance Institute Fellowship. 

At the same time, I acted in several network shows and studio movies filmed in Detroit, and took trains to Chicago to audition for more TV shows. I was also active in the Detroit Improv comedy and fine arts scene, balancing group improv at night and figure modeling and substitute teaching during the day. 

At the end of 2018, I was involved in a 10 car pile-up and totaled my new car. I came out of the wreckage feeling like tomorrow isn’t promised. I had to share my stories with the world. Now! 

My greatest strength is the way I see the world. I know that in order to clearly communicate my vision I need to write, perform, and produce my own work. I started my own production company, Exousia Pictures. In June 2019, I moved to LA and began co-hosting and performing in my own stand-up comedy shows. I am currently pitching DOWNTOWN, my tv show starring Detroit, to major streaming platforms and cable networks. 

Has it been a smooth road? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
One of my favorite quotes is “masterpieces come from prolonged struggle.” 

After my father died suddenly, my family faced eviction, repossession, my mom’s unlawful arrest, profound betrayals, and basically watching the world turn their back on us. 

I chose to move forward in my career by writing a pilot every two months, performing at experimental improv mics, MOTH story slams, and trying to find my voice. 

I’ve also struggled with believing that industry people will recognize quality in a sea of copycats. Sometimes being original isn’t immediately rewarded. Executives didn’t like Prince, Lenny Kravitz, Drake or Kanye West when they first heard them. It’s hurtful when someone sees your potential but still passes. 

Ultimately, you meet the perfect advocates. 

Tell us about your business/company. What do you do, what do you specialize in, what are you known for, etc. What are you most proud of as a company? What sets you apart from others?
First I’m a performer. Secondly, I’m the CEO of my production company, Exousia Pictures. 

I’m a multi-hyphenate, not unlike Donald Glover, Warren Beatty, Bradley Cooper and Issa Rae. I write, produce, and act in my own content. I love creating a world and then living in it as an actor. It’s like virtual reality but way cooler. 

Exousia is a Greek word meaning the authority to exercise power. A lot of people want power but few people actually have the authority to exercise it. What’s the good of having power that you can’t use? 

I love modern stories. Gritty character-driven odysseys that feature, strong social commentary, a breakneck pace, and hilarious dialogue. 

I use stories to make people come together and be vulnerable with each other. 

My screenplays have been praised by The Sundance Institute, Fox’s writer’s lab, and The Austin Film festival. The Cinetopia film festival recognized my short film: Black Trust Fund Baby. 

I’m the proudest of my web series pilot coming soon: Wallace + Tex and my TV pilot DOWNTOWN (co-written with Charlie Newhart). 

Exousia Pictures is unusual because it’s driven by interracial and intercultural romances, and a disruptive POV. 

I like stories that feel real. I’m intrigued by the Safdie Bros. I am bored by media representations that are obviously based on numbers and/ or ideas as opposed to the truth. I’m more interested in What have you personally seen, experienced, and how did it affect you? 

How do you, personally, define success? What’s your criteria, the markers you’re looking out for, etc?
Success is when you live inside your intention. I recognize living inside my intention because it is when I feel most connected and alive. 

I am compelled to try and affect everyone I meet. Whether it’s telling a story, making a meal, teaching a class, or listening. 

I am working to become one of the world’s greatest public servants. Think Leonardo DiCaprio, George Lucas, Bill Gates, and Robert Redford. Prolific leaders that change the way we live. 

I’m looking forward to earning a green light in the next 60 days for my TV pilot script DOWNTOWN, co-starring and co-written with my friend Charlie Newhart. 

Contact Info:

• Email: jgibert15@gmail.com
• Instagram: @joshgibert
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/user_details?userid=Ixw0dAOhFxTbtZ1H4REu9w&utm_source=ishare
• Other: youtube/jgibert15

Image Credit:
Chester Pink, Sabrina Gregory, FoxxCalledMoon, Erica Menchl, Darell Williams

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