Today we’d like to introduce you to Ryan Gray.
Hi Ryan, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My journey to where I am today has had many twists and turns and wouldn’t be considered traditional. Before I can explain these twists and turns, I need to take you back to where it all started, where exactly my love for creating came from. While growing up, my family would take road trips all over California and the West. One of these many road trips when I was 14 was to the Oregon Coast (I am now 20) and at the time I didn’t realize this was the beginning of a long journey. On this trip, I brought along a cheap little action camera that I had received as a present. I filmed the entire trip and then once we got back home, I created what would be one of my earliest videos, putting music to the entire thing. After this video, I would end up going on more trips and making more videos. While making these videos I continued to improve my skills with each new video. After watching each of my videos critically, I knew I wanted to improve. So, I studied anything I could find to help, and that meant jumping on YouTube.
Fast forward some years I would find myself in high school, gifted with a more legitimate camera. With this camera, I started creating basketball highlight videos for my high school that included effects and better music. In 2018 I decided to create an Instagram account where I could post my videos and without knowing it, this account would be the beginnings of my now film/video production company, RG3 Productions. As time went on, I filmed more and more basketball games and while creating then posting these videos a large social media company, Ballislife reached out with a job opportunity. I accepted. They asked me to create videos for one of the most well-known high schools in the nation, Sierra Canyon. While filming Sierra Canyon I created videos that would be shown to a global audience of millions of social media followers. Throughout my time working with Ballislife, I had many other opportunities that would arise apart from just basketball; from working on a feature film that would end up on Amazon, to directing documentaries/short films. I have had the opportunity to work on many different projects, work on them as a director, director of photography, editor and so on. Ballislife was definitely the catalyst to grow my film/video production company to what it is today, which allows me to work consistently doing something I love, always being a ‘creative’ in the process.
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?
The road to where I am today hasn’t always been easy. One obstacle that rises above the rest is my struggle with formalizing my education in the industry. I had my eyes set on going to film school as soon as possible. However, due to the pandemic, I decided to attend junior college for a year. As I began working on transferring to a four-year program, I struggled to find my way into a film school that would help me grow as a creative. My goal of being admitted to a formal film school evolved into what felt like an obsession, which sidetracked me from the fact that I was already working and creating – in other words, doing the very things that I love doing. It was a strange feeling not being able to attend film school while at the same time already doing the work in that exact industry. After consideration, I decided to attend business school as a means of further preparing me for my current career path. I am now set to graduate from Loyola Marymount University with a Business Management and Leadership degree at only 20 years old.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
As a creative, I’ve had the opportunity to create various types of content and no matter the type of project, my goal remains the same. My focus is on creating content that tells a story that engages the viewer and generates a response. I focus on using visuals or a story to connect to people’s emotions and take them on a journey through the screen. The projects can vary from a short film or visual to a longer story. I routinely am involved in video production and direction for content that will be viewed on different media platforms, though I have recently directed and produced content for other uses. Regardless the goal remains the same, create something that demands a response.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
One lesson that seems to constantly repeat itself is the true power of networking. I know people love to beat it into the ground, but making that extra effort really does pay off. The connections I have made over the years have led to countless opportunities, both professionally and in terms of honing my skills. Talk to the people you meet on planes. Introduce yourself at industry events. Reach out to other creators you admire. It pays off. I have a short list of mentors, but a long list of people that I can call anytime for anything from technical feedback to career advice. It took time to build that network, but the effort has been invaluable to me. It feels incredible to have a network of my own that I can not only learn from but can now give back to as well.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryangray/?hl=en
Image Credits
Jose Montanez Photography
