Check Out Keith Fingers Jr.’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Keith Fingers Jr.

Hi Keith, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My first memories have always involved art, whether it was dancing, drawing, or writing lyrics. That love for art never wavered. I could remember being a four years old kid running around my living, creating these worlds where I was fighting dust falling from the sky or typing out documents on a laptop created from a pizza box. Growing up, I always knew I was going to major in something art-related, so when it was time to pick a college and a degree my decision was pretty easy compared to most. I went to New Mexico State University, and there I studied digital film and animation. This medium was new to me, but it was a seamless transition because I had been creating stories and movies in my mind for years. That brings me to today. I currently use my imagination on a daily basis. I’m a filmmaker, a podcaster, a business owner, and a musician. It’s always been in me.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
The road to where I am was VERY bumpy. I didn’t graduate college until I was 26. which is relatively young, but I was one of the older kids in most of my classes. I went to a junior college for two stints. I went to Iowa State University, and I also took a year off of school to try to save money, and then I finally graduated from New Mexico State. When I went to Iowa State, I really thought I was going to graduate from there, but that’s not how it worked out for me. I couldn’t actually afford to go to school there, so after one semester I had to come back to California. I remember the last week of the semester was one of the craziest weeks. I had ran out of food, and all I had left was some Zatarain’s rice and some eggs, so I had to make the most of that during the week. I was also trying to arrange my flight back home, but I didn’t actually have enough money to book a flight, but I also had too much pride to ask anyone for help. I was trying everything. I was trying to overdraft my account even, but that didn’t work. My mom just so happen to text me and ask if I had enough money to get home, and I had to admit to her that I needed some more money, but she ended up sending it through probably a day or two before I had to check out of the dorm. She’s the real MVP. That was just one of the many bumpy roads I had to drive through to get where I am today.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a filmmaker, a businessman, a podcaster, and a musician. All those things help me pay the bills. As far as what I specialize in, I don’t think I specialize in any of those. I truly care about all of those mediums and platforms, so it depends on the day which one I care for the most. I will say that music is the medium that requires the least from others, so I can literally sit down, make a beat, rap or sing over it, and put it out to the world. I think people know me most for being a filmmaker. I think most people meet me on film sets or doing something that involves a camera. I’ve directed short films and some music videos too, but movies and short films are my true passion. I would do it more often, but it requires a lot of time, money, and resources to make quality films. I’m proud of a lot of things. I think the thing I’m most proud of is my debut EP. It’s called Oxford Blue. It resonates with me the most because it was fully produced by me, and it was my first attempt at creating a cohesive project, and I believe I accomplished that. That idea there is what sets me apart from others. I genuinely feel like I can do many things at an elite level. So when a person invests in me, they get a full spectrum of entertainment. I make music, I podcast, I do stand up, I act, I animate, I write/direct, I run a successful online business, and I have a mobile app on the App Store and on the Play Store. I don’t know many people that can say they do all of those things well enough to get paid to do them. I look up to guys like Jaime Foxx and Donald Glover. Two men who do multiple things at an elite level.

Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
I wish I did have advice about finding a mentor. I’m still looking for one myself, but as far as networking, I think the best advice I have for people is to lean on the relationships you already have and also lead with something you can bring to the table. So for example, I had a cousin that used to work in Hollywood. The first thing I did when I got into film school was contact him to see how he can help me out, and he offered me a job. We all have someone somewhere that can help us get a little closer to our dreams. As far as leading with an offering, that idea is going to get you in rooms that you have no business being in. My camera has allowed me to meet many celebrities, just because I offered to shoot something for them, and oftentimes for free. One other side notes that I always suggest for people is to stay in contact with everyone in their phone. This is something I learned from Richard Lawson. I try to stay in contact with all of my college classmates. A birthday is a perfect opportunity to say hi, and see what they’ve been working on lately. This is important because you’ll stay on each other’s mind when an opportunity arises. They may be looking for a production assistant, and because they talked to you recently, you’ll be the first person they contact.

Contact Info:

• Email: kfingsml@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kfings/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kfings
• Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/kfings
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/KeithFingers21
• Other: https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/kfings/oxford-blue