Today we’d like to introduce you to Gary Jay
Gary, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I’m proud to be from Detroit, Michigan. Born and raised. I have always had a camera in my hand and whether I knew it or not, this was what I was going to do for the rest of my life. I used to make Youtube videos with my friends and even when they were no longer interested, I continued. Thanks to my my for having a camcorder laying around the house and windows movie maker, I got my introduction into filmmaking. I went to art school in San Francisco for animation because I had been a self taught artist for my entire life. But once in college, I quickly realized that I did not want to sit in an office and draw everyday. I wanted to be out in the world and see life in many perspectives. So I changed my major to film and the rest was history. I moved to LA in 2022 after graduating college on a whim. I had been in Detroit applying to jobs here until one day I got a bite. They asked if I could come in the next day but I was literally across the country. So I lied and said that I was booked but I’d be available Monday. I bought a Sunday flight and was on my way. From couch surfing to endless apartment rejections to paying for a rental car that maxed out my credit card, I was determined to make this work. I’ve been here for 2 years now and have made so many friends and worked so many cool jobs that I am forever grateful for the opportunity.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The road has been very bumpy but I never fold under pressure. I’ve maxed out my credit card a few times, made some friends and lost some, went through heartbreak, and then some. RENT is crazy btw! What I pay in LA could get me a mansion to myself in Detroit. But my goal is to be a great film director and I know that these challenges will be something to laugh at during my award speeches.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a film writer/director/dp. I specialize in narrative filmmaking but press and media tends to pay my bills at the moment. What sets me apart is my fascination of making films about black people and people of color in situations that aren’t typically seen in media. I have made projects about a black woman being a psychic that scams clients out of her garage. I have shorts about a grandma that transforms into her 20 year old self after her 70th birthday goes wrong. I even have a black western short about a black woman gunslinger. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg, just wait until I have a million dollar budget lol.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
I think people are going to find their creativity along the way but my two most important pieces of advice that most people don’t seem to say is NETWORK and have some AUDACITY. Talk to any and everybody you can. Most of my gigs are word of mouth and I’ve only every have had to pull out my resume 3 times in two years. Network across not up, you’ll be surprised how beneficial it is to work with your peers rather than trying to connect with somebody that is a household name. But don’t go into an interaction trying to get something out of someone and then not want to network because you don’t see how only you can benefit. It’s so funny seeing these types of people slow become less interesting in a conversation when they realize you can’t get them their dream job at a company or something. Pay attention and stay away from these people.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/garyjayjr
