Meet Julien York

Today we’d like to introduce you to Julien York.

Hi Julien, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
September of 2021, I packed my belongings and drove across the country from Michigan to California to follow my dreams. Being a creator in front of and behind the camera at heart, Los Angeles was the prime destination to be. My love for being around a camera started ever since I was a little kid. If someone were to point a camera at me, my shy personality would disappear and out came the goofy and fun real Julien. When a camera was placed in my hands, I was so captivated by trying to capture and create. Without knowing, I found a way to express myself. Growing up in a small town in Michigan in the early 2000s, my main sources of entertainment were watching TV, going outside with friends, and going to the movies. I was really in the last generation of innocent kids before the Internet and social media became mainstream. TV and Movies always had me wondering if I could make something of my own. I really had no knowledge of how things worked with a camera but I wanted to do it anyway. I would use anything with a camera attached to it. Throughout the years I made videos on countless things like a flip phone, webcam, iPod nano, iPod touch, Playstation eye camera, PS Vita, old camcorders, and eventually an actual photo camera. I had no idea what or how videos were cut together, so I would do everything in one take for the longest time, which is hilarious now that I look back at it. A middle school video production class was my first real look and experience with using a video camera and putting videos together on a computer with an editing software.

From then on, I never looked back and creating videos was all that I liked to do. Raw imagination and ideas fueled hundreds, if not thousands of mini-movies and skits I made of myself just for the fun of it. I took some video production classes in high school, loved it and then in turn when I graduated, went to a local community college where I majored in Media Arts & Entertainment Technology and received an Associates Degree. In that time, I also discovered modeling and acting and found another avenue for myself. From there, I transferred to a university to go for a bachelor’s in Broadcast & Cinema arts. After my first year, over the summer break, I had a boom in success from creating music videos for many hip-hop artists in Flint, MI. It was a newfound love, I had found my lane. I officially launched my production company “York X Productions”. In the short span of four months, my videos had gained me state-wide recognition and some out-of-state buzz which led me to traveling to many different states. Getting a video with York X was the new hype. Life changed FAST. This led to the decision to drop out of college, not finishing my last year left. I wanted to take a chance at this dream.

For the next year, I made music video after music video and was loving it. I also further pursued my career as a model and influencer on social media. One of my favorite places to shoot was Los Angeles. After being flown out numerous times to the city, I fell in love with it and was amazed at the amount of opportunity there was here. Summer of 2021 my best friend presented me with the opportunity to move in with him to help further my career as a filmmaker and influencer. There was no better place to be. It was a scary leap but something I couldn’t turn down. Being uncomfortable is the only way to grow. Settling in Hollywood, my main objective was to network, network, network. For about eight months, I went to as many events, gatherings, and places to collaborate as I possibly could. In doing that, I have been able to work and connect with people way beyond my expectations. I’ve been placed in positions that I could only dream of. The dream of being a full-time creator in front of and behind the camera came to fruition, all within a year of relentless work. For me, this is only the very beginning.

Alright, 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?
Has it been a smooth road? No. I think I can speak for anyone in all walks of life, struggles will always be present on your journey, no matter who you may be. Things aren’t always as easy as they seem. Nothing is promised in the space of social media and freelancing, all the pressures are put on you and you alone. Moving to Los Angeles with barely any money, I had no idea what my plans were. It was a very big risk on my part. I just know I needed to make something work solely doing the things I love. A long majority of my time was spent not knowing where my next meal would be coming from or how I could stay afloat to live in Hollywood. Jobs and partnerships are never promised, you have your high times and low times and generally never know when those will be. Many things fall through or never happen. People have taken advantage of my hunger hustle and leave me in the dust. The list of obstacles and challenges can go on but without those, I would never get to where I am today. A smooth road can build no character. The life of a smaller creator in the infancy of a career isn’t all that glorious, but when the time comes it will all be so rewarding.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I wear many different hats but mainly I am a creative in front of and behind the camera in many avenues. I am a Director, Director of Photography, Fashion model, Actor, and influencer. I specialize and am known for creating and directing music videos and being a model. My cinematic style and concepts I curate is what define me from the rest. Just bring the camera out and I’m there and at home. In doing these things, I feel it’s important that I know and have experience in being on both sides of the camera. Being able to execute on both fronts gives me the edge everywhere I go. What sets me apart from others is my passion and knowledge for creating. Put me in any situation and I will be the hardest worker in the room. I’m here to hustle and prove what can all be done. People don’t truly understand what I can do until they see me work. I am confident in my work and am well aware of the value I can bring to the table. What I’m most proud of is what I’ve been able to create so far solely on my own. Looking back at my work, I don’t even know how I did it sometimes. Doing things that normally require a crew of people has been a humbling experience. I’ve been able to learn more and further appreciate what it takes to get to a high level.

How do you think about happiness?
What makes me happy is seeing other people happy from what I create. The simple act of being able to bring a smile to someone’s face brings me so much joy. No matter what my creation may be, it could be anything, not even related to content. Being able to simply bring happiness or inspiration to others off of doing something I love doing is a blessing. I feel like I live for the reactions and emotions my art can create for someone else. My imagination is purely a vessel to make someone feel and interpret my happiness.

Pricing:

• Performance Music Video – $1000
• Small concept music Video – $1500
• Medium concept music video – $2000
• Large concept music video – $3000

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/julien.york/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDnogPLUxPNzmnquEr5hQqg
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@julienyork