Meet James Huffman of Indie City Entertainment in Silverlake

Today we’d like to introduce you to James Huffman.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
When indie city entertainment was born, back in 2008, we were simply a small group of Los Angeles based writers, directors and actors who were dedicated to supporting and empowering each other. We were a make shift band of movie fans with part time jobs and farmer’s tans. Indie city entertainment is now a metropolis of New Media mash ups, marketing mayhem and social media meshugenah. Part Mixtape. Part Magic Show. Part Mecca Lecca Hi, Mecca Hiney Ho. Too much alliteration? Maybe so. Doesn’t change the fact that it’s fun.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
We’ve had bursts of business and then endured some quiet times. We had one client who kept us afloat for quite some time and then that client started losing good people… one by one… until there was no one left to even know who we are and what we do. All that business sort of disappeared. BUT… when one door closes… another one opens.

Please tell us about indie city entertainment.
We started out writing and producing short form content for the web. I had a friend who was building a digital media department for a major law & business publishing client. This was a guy I grew up with. He called me one day and told me that he had been pricing production companies nationwide and he couldn’t believe the outrageous cost estimates he was getting. He told me he had seen some of your little web videos and asked me if I could shoot 3-4 attorney/client scenarios based on a few short scripts he had. He told me his budget and I told him I could shoot FIFTY of those scenarios for that kind of money. We did the first one as a spec and the people in his department loved it. We started producing all sorts of video projects for them. We found ways to bring them high quality educational filmmaking that was functional and fun at the same time. Being in Los Angeles we have access to the best talent pool in the world and our casting skills are top notch.

Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
When I was 8 years old, I woke up at roughly 5:30 AM on Christmas morning to beat the crowds to the Huffman “Holiday” Tree and start unwrapping everybody’s presents. (I did that every year. I was a little shit.) This year I started out by picking up the most unassuming present available. I tore it open. Stared at it for a minute. It was an unfamiliar leather object (with a note). The note read “Look in the basement. – S.C.” Off I went. I carefully descended in to the dark. The first thing I noticed was this terrible smell. I flipped on the light and there it was- wall to wall piles of poop. Literally. Shit. Everywhere. Was I being punished? Had all my days of pillaging the Christmas tree come back to haunt me? I HEARD that bad kids get coal, and I knew I’d been bad but COME ON. I didn’t think I deserved THIS. Also seemed that Santa was no longer issuing coal. Santa was now dealing in dog doody. Not cool Mr. Kringle. Not. KOOL. I stood there for a moment. Took it in. Then I closed my eyes and I did what I could to make amends. I begged forgiveness. I promised to be a better person, do more chores. I swore I would stop eating my bagged lunch on the way to school and then tell my teachers that Mom didn’t give me food. I made a few more choice resolutions. Then I heard a strange, high pitched noise. I opened my eyes and there she was, this beautiful little border collie puppy. He head was tilted, ears were flopped, surrounded by poop. We instantly connected. I named her Ginger. That dog taught me everything I ever needed to know about life, love and loyalty. That Christmas morning moment propelled me on a journey that would become one of my most important and cherished life experiences.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://www.indiecityentertainment.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/indiecitysnapattack/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/indiecityentertainment/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/indiecitysocial

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